Tom - like they said, it take what it takes. Usually I'll do a set amount of strokes, somewhere between 20 and 40, then check to see if the edge is suitable. How many passes between checks depends on how dull the blade is.

You mentioned that you like your Arkansas stones. There are things you can do to speed them up. Have you seen this thread?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...lurry-ark.html

A small piece of coticule for the experiment costs about 15 bucks from Straight Razor Designs, I just got one myself to experiment with. You can also rough up your soft Arkie with a Diamond hone around 300 to 400 grit, maybe the same for the hard but around 1000. Just to keep them cutting quick and unburnished. Solitary Soldier left a nice video in his thread detailing the method. It sounds like you've got the hones, just need a little practice and patience, and maybe higher magnification. I like 60x so I can see what's going on at the very edge.

I don't think I've ever Ober honed anything. But I've definitely under-honed an edge. I think that problem is more common than over honing.