AAAGGGGHHHH - I may have hit the wall
I have had really pleasant success honing my razors, except for my most expensive one. I have a Mastro Livi Bergamo damascus that I was getting good shaves with, but noticed a small microchip in the toe, so, being OCD, I decided to hone. I went to 1000 and used one layer of tape, went through the progression of stones and finished on a Jnat, but the edge was not there. I went all the way back to setting the bevel, ran through all the progressions again (5K, 10K chosera, gnat with majero to clear water, tomo to clear) thumb pad test felt great and shave was great - almost. My purest test of razor is against the grain on my upper lip. I have coarse hair, and the grain is decidedly downward. Any blade that can shave smoothly and close there is the holy grail for me.
The Livi did all areas and passes well until this last test. Any suggestions as to how to get the last little bit? Another layer of tape? Back to mid grit? All the way back to bevel set?