Great thread everyone.
The pushing at 45deg using wet and dry to get an initial edge seems very sound to me, followed up by the x pattern.
Now a question. I find it hard to feel that I'm not tipping the tang down (or lifting for that matter) when doing the x pattern. If I use the lightest touch on the toe so as to feel that the blade is not lifting (forefinger in the ground part) is this OK. I do mean a very light touch just for sensory feedback, nothing else.
I also do not flip the razor over on it's spine, I lift it totally off the hone, turn, replace and carry on in the other direction. Anything wrong with this ?. I do ensure I lift and replace flat without the edge hitting first of course.
Comments welcome..please....
Gary