Visual Honing Checks That Don't Require Magnification

Someone asked me if I would put this together...

Here are a few visual checks you can do when honing, that don't need magnification. (these also work with magnification, and it can be easier to see the chips or pitting)

Pitting / microchips:
Attachment 146804
If you see this, you need to keep working at a low grit until it's all gone.

Small chip:
Attachment 146805
If it's only part of the way into the bevel, like this one, I just barely lift the spine off the hone and do japanese style strokes or circles until it's gone. If it's bigger I hold the spine up higher.
Once it's gone you need to set the bevel with the spine down.

Rotating the razor into a light source... This is one of the most important, IMO...
What it should look like: (the bevel goes dark)
Attachment 146806

Bevel not set: (there's a white strip at the edge when the rest of the bevel is dark)
Attachment 146807
If you see this, your bevel is not set. Don't try to convince yourself that it's a trick due to lighting. Your edge is reflecting light because you don't have a complete bevel. Keep working on your bevel setter, and the strip should keep getting smaller.