That's exactly what sharpening my Puma 85 on my new Shaptons reminded me of. Herding cats. Only I don't think herding cats is quite as frustrating, really.

After being completely unsuccessful on the new Shaptons, I went back to the DMT's. Worked the blade on the 8E and 8EE with 45-50 degree, heel leading strokes, with alot of Ivory Liquid dish soap in the water lube. I achieved the bevel/sharpness I wanted off of the 8E, refined it with the 8EE, then went to the Shapton 16k after giving it yet another thorough lapping with the 8E.

After the 8EE: 100 laps on the Shapton 16k, 25 laps on .50 diamond paste, 25 laps on .25 diamond paste, and one hour straight of stropping on the bare leather of my paddle strop. It was HHT'ing as well as any blade I have. The shave was fantastic. That kitty is officially herded.

Tomorrow an Ebay Boker Red Injun with a couple of chips in the edge is gonna be the next lesson on the Shaptons.