Totally stumped, can't get edge to respond. Can't eliminate reflective line at edge.
So I've been working on this honing thing for practically a whole year now and I simply can't get the edge past a badly-pulling level of sharp.
What baffles me is the reflective line. I'm using what's basically a toy microscope, but has enough resolution at 30-50x to give me a good look at the bevel, scratch patterns, etc. I can always see some light reflecting brightly from the extreme edge of the bevel, whether the light source is above or below. If I angle the blade up towards the objective I can't see any semblance of a dark line. If I do the Magic Marker test it will confusingly fail to even hide the reflective edge of the bevel, even if I draw the edge right through the tip of the marker.
I can get a dull razor to shave arm hair in about half an hour, max, EVERY time, without using any deliberate pressure, on 15 micron film or a Norton 1k. From this point on I can technically shave the hair off my face, but nothing I do seems to get me more than marginal improvement. I can pass the TNT, shave hair and the edge will dig smoothly into my thumbtip. I can't do the "pop arm hair" test because my arm hair is super fine and my leg hair lays down flat. HHT usually passes but I don't pay attention to it. I'm ONLY judging actual sharpness with actual shave tests with shower & soaking and ever-improving lather, but so far it's all going down the drain.
In short, EVERYTHING else seems to point to my bevels being set, but the bright edges won't go away and they won't respond to my 4k. I've tried adding slurries, circles, no tape, up to 4 layers of tape to see if the 4k or 8k could smooth the edge and nothing seems to have any effect.
It's not the razors, I've tried different ones with exactly the same results (all of them good razors). My stones are beveled and smooth and flat enough to hold each other's weight with suction. I used to use light one-handed x-strokes but I've started guiding with my other hand to help avoid lifting the toe.
So what can be happening here? Is it tactics or technique? If it were overhoning or a wire edge I'd be able to see it come and go, wouldn't I? And I don't understand how it can be underhoning, not while it passes so many tests, and I've been working on the stones for hours without intentionally dulling anything.
That just leaves technique, right? I can't find any theoretical flaw in mine, as much as I've tried. In my head every hone cuts much faster than in reality, and I handle the razors as if they did. Gently, that is.
I don't have a professionally honed razor for comparison (yet), but frankly I don't know how it would help right now because there's absolutely no mistaking my edge for a sharp one.
Can anyone spot any problems in my thinking? This forum is a fantastic place, but for the life of me, and all of everyone's advice, I can't seem to crack this.