My take on honing changed when I went to a honing meetup and met Nelson(bayamontate). At the time I was using dia plates like everyone else. The edges were great but compared to what? Anyway having shaved one of his edges I immediately knew thats what I wanted. So I emulated what he does and have been able to improve what I get from a dia plate little by little using naguras. Now when I hone a razor, I judge the shave. And I hone and shave almost constantly, almost a fresh edge every day. Why? Because 3 months ago I was nailing one of 3. Thats objective dont you think? Im using the same stone and naguras and 2 of the 3 arent great. So thats what I do, I think im at 2 out of 3 now. I always start at the chosera 1k, as I dont want to further refine the same edge over and over. Anyway I honed one yesterday, with 1200 atoma slurry. Sorry to say it wasnt a great shave, it was plenty good and sharp and smoothness was good but not great. Needless to say it was on par with what I was doing last year. The only judge I have is myself, and doing it this way I expect to nail every one and improve even more. The AHA! edges are never with a dia plate IMO, they are with naguras for me anyway.