Great, you are sneaking up on it. As you progress to higher grit stones lighten up on the pressure to refine the edge, which is all that matters. Keep taping and inking the bevel for feedback on what is going on.

If you are not making contact on one stroke, either the edge/ spine is warped or it is technique. Try putting a finger on the spot that is not making contact on that stroke. Remember these razors can be a hundred years old, and who knows how or if they were cared for.

Any magnification works, 20 power is an improvement and will give you more feedback. I like the Radio Shack 60-100. I don’t recall what they sell for, around 10-15 dollars and they are lighted which is nice. It’s not the best glass, but it works and is quick & easy to use.

Make sure to test for sharpness on your arm across the whole edge, at least 3 places heel, center and toe, after each stone progression. Your edges will continue to improve as your technique improves.

A finishing stone or stropping with paste will refine and improve the edge even better, which is the next step in honing madness, but not needed. A length of smooth leather or fine weave nylon will make an adequate strop and improve the edge and shave.

For years I shaved straight off a Black Surgical Ark or Translucent finishing stone and an inexpensive Illinois strop, after an full Ark progression… for many, many years.

A smooth leather belt or piece of CLEAN seatbelt with some polishing paste, with a series of 2 inch X’s painted on with your finger and allowed to dry will make the bevel gleam and smooth out your edge. Flint, Maas, or Mothers work well for me. Actually I think almost any polishing paste works, most are probably Cerium Oxide. It also will refresh a dulling edge.

In the morning I strop on SRD herringbone linen to clean, then a “Mass” X’ed fine weave Nylon strop and shave. The polish also soothes out a Chrome Oxide edge, which I find too harsh. I rarely hit the leather.

This is how it works… it is something you have to figure out for yourself and see what works for you… then fine tune for your razors, face and beard. Sounds like you are on your way… congratulations.