Indeed, I agree that you would be too biased.
I'm blaming neither the steel nor the hone. I have said from the beginning that I know there is nothing wrong with the hone. I am trying to learn to use this stone--if I wasn't, I would have given up already. I want to know why this stone and I are not getting along. I want to UNDERSTAND it. Of course my technique needs to improve, but HOW? Is it pressure? Number of passes? What's the best way to approach this stone?
My idea that perhaps the hone deals differently with different steel was simply that, an IDEA. I was asking about the possibility. Because I have tried many many times with this hone, changing small variables, becoming more and more conscious of my technique, and I keep getting the same results. Results that I do not get off of other hones.
I didn't get these results from the freaking Chinese hone, nor from the Shapton 12K I had, nor from the Naniwa 8K. I got good shaving edges form them. Not perfect, but GOOD. And from this hone, I don't. It's as simple as that.
And as for the earliest convenience, that would be tomorrow. Which I'm doing. So I'd appreciate you not reading anything into that.
Don't psychoanalyze me. Don't "sense" me. Don't imply I'm trying to hide my own failures. I own my frailties and my weaknesses, and I try to overcome them. If you'd like to help me, then please do so. Otherwise, kindly keep your psychoanalysis to yourself.