As a non-technical person, I rely on sight and then the shave test to determine readiness.

I used a 100x pocket microscope for several years, but recently purchased this 400x USB microscope: Veho 400X Microscope, 2 MegaPixel Microscope, Veho USB Microscope, Digital Microscope Camera.

It takes a little practice to hold the thing still but it pays off for me by giving me an objective evaluation. I just don't trust things I can't see.

I quit using electric tape for honing (I used to be a staunch advocate for it) because I found myself doing more honing and more frequent re-honing. I figure the less strokes needed, the better off both the razor and I are. There are some cases I'm sure of hone wear where tape (or layers of tape) is necessary, but unless the blade is warped you probably don't.

I really think discovering an approach that works with your abilities is the what you need to do. If one razor has a harder kind of steel than another, it just means more work to get the look I need under the microscope.