I've owned the Shapton 1/4/8/16K setup for a couple of months now, watched enough videos and read a lot on honing, but I get the feeling I'm not getting great edges off these hones. The one time I stumbled on a good (but just not sharp enough) edge was when I used lather on the 8K, but it gave me harsh edges off the 16K. I cannot detect differences between various brands of razors, so I suppose the fault is on me.

Knowing myself, this is going to be a pretty long read, but I'll be as comprehensive as I know how to, to save you from typing answers I already have

So here is what I do (and some additional notes and questions):
- I spend quite some time on the 1K to set a nice bevel. Circles, X strokes, pressure, finishing without pressure, until the edge is already very shiny and even. Starts to get sticky with the TPT, shaves arm hair well, but I don't get feedback/suction from the hone. Should I get feedback/suction on the 1K?
- About as much time for the 4K, basically the same thing. Starting to feel some feedback, but not much. Backward and forward stroke don't feel the same in terms of suction.
- No pressure strokes on the 8K, getting very little feedback. The only way I can stick the razor to the hone is by doing the same as 1K/4K: circles and x strokes with pressure, finishing without pressure. That way, the razor really sticks to the hone.
- BUT, moving on to the 16K, again, I get no feedback from the hone.

- I keep track of my progress with the HHT. It climbs up till where I use pressure on the 8K. When I finish without pressure, the HHT result drops a little. Moving on to the 16K does not improve the HHT. Stropping does a lot. (I know all about the controversy of the HHT)
- I tried lather on the 8K a few times with good result, but I'm not sure if it's good for the hone. Hence, I want to learn to use just water.


The shave:
I have a tough beard, but Feathers cut right through with minimal resistance. I want the same or close from my straight razors. However, after my honing and stropping routine, I get a little tug WTG and a bit too much tug ATG, forcing me to perform scything and slicing passes and still not getting the wonderful results I get with a Feather blade (or an Astra, for that matter).


The questions:
- How sharp, in terms of resistance while shaving and/or in comparison to DE blades, should a razor coming off the 8K/16K be? Does it get close to Feather sharpness?
- What am I doing wrong?
- The Feather shaves tells me my shaving technique and beard prep are good, or is that presumptuous?