Originally Posted by
CrescentCityRazors
I agree with Euclid regarding your last set of pics. The reflection from base to apex of the bevel should be the same, completely homogenous, and it isn't. It should be flat like a mirror.
Make sure you are not using too much pressure and when you reduce pressure you do so gradually. Make sure you are not allowing the shoulder of the razor up onto the hone. Go at it some more until your bevel's reflection is evened out and there is no extra reflection from the edge. You have to get those bevel faces flat and intersecting properly in a good apex. Then make sure that the scratches of the previous stage are completely obliterated, replaced with the finer scratches of the current stage. Each stage needs to do that. Also, have you lapped your stones lately, and do you know how? HINT: so-called "flattening stones" are not the best way and are money wasted.
4 laps isn't enough for any stage in the progression. No, don't count laps, look at results. But it is a pretty safe bet that 4 laps won't do much. It will reveal where the steel is contacting the hone, in a sharpie test, but it won't materially improve the edge.
I would go back to the 1k, light pressure, just the weight of the razor and half the weight of your hand. Go at it until the bevel is nice and flat and goes all the way to the edge, and the edge does not reflect separately from the bevel face. Do not proceed to a finer grit until you are done with that one. It serves no purpose. That is the secret of progressive honing. Each stage must fully do its job before moving up to the next grit.
Are you bench honing, and holding the razor in two hands, desperately trying to control it? This is the root cause of many newbie honing mistakes. Works fine for an experienced honer, but you will learn quicker if you hone in hand. You can regulate pressure and balance much easier if your hone and razor are sort of floating out there in front of you, finding their own alignment. After about 30 laps it will seem natural to you even if it feels awkward when you first begin.
Don't lay a finger on the blade at this stage. It is okay to torque the blade slightly to ensure that the edge receives as much pressure as the spine but keep it consistent. The finger on the blade can cause the razor to flex. You don't want that while you are trying to prep the bevel for the progression. You are trying to achieve a good bevel. Without a good bevel you will not have a good edge. The edge IS the bevel. Further work with finer media will only refine and polish it.
You will get this. Keep at it. You aren't done yet, is all, and maybe you have a few minor technical issues to work out. I bet tomorrow you will crush it and then it will be happy dance time.