Actually, this was my first honing...ever. I have touched up on Barber's hone. That's about it.

- Dulled razor on glass.
- raised slurry, 30 half x strokes (followed bart's unicot method)
- test arm hair..nothing.
- repeated 2 and 3 about 20 times.
- finally got to shave arm hair. Not great, but it got it.

During the repeat steps I added water to the slurry and about 3 times I took the stone and created new slurry.

- taped spine, 30 regular x strokes
- rinsed stone, 50 x strokes on plain water
- 50 linen 50 leather (horsehide)

Test shave: rt side cheek... shaved. woo hoo. sharp, but not as sharp as I'm used to and not smooth at all.

So, I decided to do 20 strokes on the Barber's hone.

Test shave: left side cheek. Much rougher and pulling.

Stopped: posted here.

Suggestions? I like a nice, sharp and smooth shave. I'm sure most people do though.

My bevel looks great to my eye. I don't make the best x strokes, I know that. But where should I start to get this going right?