How do you set the bevel?

When setting a bevel, do you just go back and forth on the stone like you would do when sharpening your razor using the pyramid method? Or do you just grind down one side untill you get an even shiny line above the edge of the razor?
I applied magic marker to both sides of the razor and the bevel was so screwed up. One side took the marker right off the steel, but the other side was not affected, so I procceded to use my 1000 grit norton and I got the marker to come of pretty close to the same amount on the other side. It took me about two hours to accomplish this, but when I tested the edge with my thumb, one side feels sharper than the other. What am I doinf wrong?

Can you see/feel a wire edge on one side ?
If so this may help Overhoning - Straight Razor Place Wiki

What are you working on ? Is it a vintage razor that you picked up on the bay or antiquing ? An hour is a pretty long time to be on one side. Then again it might depend on what you are working on. Can you post photos ?

Setting bevels is one of those things that's going to take however long it takes. Some vintage razors out there are pretty messed up, and sometimes you get a razor off ebay that will shave when it arrives. The two keys are being confident in yourself to keep going till it's done AND knowing when it's there and time to stop. The second is more important.

I do not understand how one side can feel sharper than the other. Sharpness comes from both sides meeting at a point. What exactly do you mean?

In any event, bevel setting = making both sides meet at a point in my book. Rub the razor on an abrasive stone until that happens, and you are set. It does not even matter what stone, although lower grits will make it faster of course.

If you can manage it so that both sides get abraded evenly, so the razor still maintains a symmetry, that would be good too.

I usually decide to stop by testing the edge on my wet thumbnail. Do a search on "thumbnail test" if you are unfamiliar with that idea, and are interested in knowing what it is.

James.

Could it be that the razor is warped or twisted? New or old, this happens and one side touches the stone and the other, barely.

Jordan