Originally Posted by
holli4pirating
I think you are bringing way too many variables into honing.
Try just basic synthetic stones, such as Norton 1k, 4k, and 8k. No slurry, no paste, no stropping till you are done. Lap the hones before each use, to address flatness.
For razor related variables, try to start with ones that have even wear, straight edges (sit flat on the hone), and don't have heavy wear. Using full hollows will help as well.
I also think it's easiest to learn the strokes by touching up already shave ready razors, as opposed to beginning with bevel setting. Setting the bevel is the hardest part of normal honing (IMO).
If you used so much pressure that you broke a razor, you need to seriously reevaluate what you are doing. If you see a full hollow flex, you are using too much pressure already. This is why it's recommended that new guys use no pressure at all; you need to learn when to use a little pressure, how to apply it, and how much to apply. Than is intermediate to advanced stuff. My way of thinking about it is this - if you have to ask when or how much pressure to use, you should not be using any pressure; when you know, then it's time to do it.