I've never honed a razor for anyone that I wasn't selling (as in one out of my rotation), as opposed to picking up a razor and restoring it.

I'd imagine the difference between good and blindingly good is oxides or submicron diamonds. Am I missing something? At least if that edge is to be had on every razor in every type of steel.

I used to run my razors through oxides before sending them, but for me personally, they are so sharp that they just shave every single bump off of my face, even with light pressure. So I send them natural stone only now, and figure that if someone else likes that sort of thing, the edge I'm leaving them with can be very easily stepped up with an oxide to that weeper maker level (which is pretty luxurious in places where there aren't bumps to turn to weepers - sides of cheeks and such).

I noticed that when I did send razors out with oxide honed edges, new shavers would always send back a message talking about how sharp they were but that "I think I did something wrong, because I've only shaved four or five times and it's not as sharp now". Yeah, well, that's how it goes! Ever since I've gone to honing with a natural stone, and then linen and then leather, I've only gotten one positive comment...

. i guess that means I like dull razors.

Edge chasing is a journey through transient states and oddly calibrated expectations.