Hello all, seeking some advice here because I've run out of other reading material on the subject. In short, I am unable to achieve an acceptable edge on my straight razor using a coticule.
I started wet shaving a few months ago by buying a SS razor online sold "shave ready", I enjoyed a close shave for some time before it came time to hone the blade which is when I did some research and bought a coticule with a BBW glued to the bottom.
After my first attempt at honing using the dulicot method, the razor was worse than before i started. Nowhere near achieving a HHT at any level. tried again and again, with the same result. in the past month or so i've only been able to get a sharp enough edge to cut a hair a single time. I started trying other honing methods to no avail.
Eventually i bought another coticule just to confirm that the issue is in fact me, and not the stone that i'm working on... same result.

So the question is, after a month of trying to get an acceptable edge and failing, is it time to move to a synthetic or different type of hone? I know the easy answer is to get my blades professionally honed, but i'd like to be self sufficient in this practice. And is this a common issue with first time shavers?

Any input would be welcomed! Thanks