I've been attempting to identify a properly set bevel by viewing the edge through 10X and continuing to take off steel on 1K until there are no reflections at all from where the edge should be. I also test on arm hair, but I'm running out of arm hair that I can reach comfortably without opening a vein.

My problems seem to be more at the toe than at the heel. I was seeing reflections from the edge on the toe yesterday long after they had disappeared on the heel. I know why this is, the blade not being flat on the stone. I was able to remedy this by extending my X pattern more than I had been, bringing the blade farther off the stone at the botton of the downward X. However, this process took hours on 1K, eventually requiring me to place a finger on the toe during circular strokes and apply pressure. The result was a much "taller" bevel than I wanted, with the bevel being taller than what I see on Shave Ready edges. As I finished through the pyramid with 4K, 8K, and 12K, and on to wool and diamond spray and leather stropping, the edge seemed fine, but the bevel was so shiny and "obvious" and seemed three times as tall as what I'm seeing on properly done blades.

It took me forever after breadknifing to get a bevel with 1K. We're talking hours here. I was concentrating on little pressure, circular and X strokes. I think that toward the end because of so little success I was probably applying more pressure than when I started and the full hollow ground blade was flexing and that accounted for the tall bevel. I'm going to give the next bevel set attempt a shot with my 220 grit in the hope that it will go quicker, get me a shallow bevel, and allow me to minimize pressure.