I have been straight shaving since July, and a couple of weeks ago, a couple of my razors -- Le grelot 1/4 grind and Filiarmonica #13 (7/8 from Classic) -- needed to be resharpened.

I am new to honing and having a real hard time trying to get these two shave sharp. The grelot has a slight warp to the blade. The Classic Fili has a smile and is a real pickle to hone.

So here is what I have in the way of hones:

DMT 8EE
Coticule
Chinese 12K
Shapton 16K
CrOx on canvas strop (Tony Miller)
Strop (TM vegan strop that works really well)

I have no idea whether I am doing too much on the DMT and causing a wire edge, or too little and not setting the bevel properly. I have tried progressing from the DMT to the coticule to the Chinese 12K to the Shapton and then to CrOx. I have also tried skipping the coticule and going to the Chinese and Shapton and paste. I have tried just the coticule to the paste. I have tried DMT just to the Chinese. I have tried DMT just to the Shapton. Every time I think it feels sharp (TPT -- my arm hair is much too fine to test) I go shave and get pulling, grabbing, etc.

Both of these razors were shave sharp when I first got them, in fact the Le Grelot has been an utterly fantastic shaver until it finally just got a little dull. The Classic Fili has never really shaved great. It gave me one or two smooth shaves, then was the pits. I ordered it "pre-sharpened" but, who knows what that means. In any case I am at an impasse and seek some advice.

Much appreciated,

scott.