I wanted to share my experience honing my first razor and hopefully get some guidance.

Stones I'm using:
DMT 325
Chosera 1000
Naniwa SS 5000/8000/12000

I purchased two GD for practice, one carbon steel and one stainless steel. I am currently working on the carbon steel.

Progression 1 - No tape

All water stones were flattened on the DMT diamond plate first. I then began to set the bevel on the 1K and found that the heal was not sharpened like the rest of the razor edge from the factory. I found myself applying pressure to he heel to try to get it like the rest of the blade. I went through my progression finishing on the 12K. The razor was hair popping sharp from the middle to the tip but not middle to heal. After examination, the blade had a slight smile to it. I guess when I was working on the heal on the 1K it took more metal and changed the blade geometry. It was also observed that when making my X strokes, the water was not being swept from the entire width of the blade, only a line where the smile was contacting the stone. An AHA moment!

Progression 2 - 1 layer electrical tape

The razor went on the DMT 325 to straighten the smile. I put sharpie on the edge and worked it till the marker was gone tip to heal and the blade was straight. Back to the 1K, circles and X strokes with pressure, more at the beginning than the end. Now the water is completely gone as the razor moves across the stone. I did circles and X strokes on the 5K, then a pyramid 5K/8K, 5/5; 4/4; 3/3; 1/5; 1/5. Again, more pressure on the edge at the start than end. Now tree topping hair! Pyramid similar to previous with 8K/12k. I lost the clean sweep of water from the stone. Unsure what happened. Not tree topping hair any longer. Will back up tomorrow to 5K and try again.

I have to say, just like sharpening a knife, this is very relaxing and I am enjoying the hell out of it!

Apologies for the lengthy post and thanks for your insights!