Originally Posted by
Euclid440
So they are different techniques, for different problems.
The X stroke will by its nature will cause a bit of extra pressure on the toe and is a good stroke to ensure the toe gets honed properly.
Using two hands can be done with and without pressure, and is a technique that has to be calibrated to your hands and the amount of pressure you apply.
Generally a two handed grip, is used in the lower grits and single hand in higher grits when a very lite pressure is needed and wanted.
You will have to experiment to see results for yourself, this is where magnification and looking at the bevel will show you the results of your technique. Generally new honers use either too much or too little pressure, too much the most common.
Pressure is one of those things that is impossible to translate into words, except, more or less.
On the stone lapping, yes mark and erase the grid repeatedly, to ensure that the slurry is not washing off the pencil and that you are actually abrading the stone. Once the stone is flat, a subsequent grid will come off quickly. Spine the stone 180 degrees to ensure a level and flat stone face.
Use a soft lead pencil, flat thick lead lumber pencils work great.