Thread: Is this microchipping...

Looks like some funky steel at the toe and that you are still not honing all the toe as well as the rest of the blade. The rest of the blade looks good, but, still some chipping.

I would remove some more steel, as it does seem the deeper you go the better the steel looks. I would breadknife, (full edge flat on the stone face) on the 8k to remove a couple thousands and get the edge completely straight, probably take 4-5 strokes.

Then re-set the edge on the 4k, 1k will leave deep stria, then work it back up. You will know right away if you are getting good steel after the bevel set, it should go quickly.