My biggest issue when honing seems to come from blades that have developed a smile or were intentionally crafted this way. I've watched videos and read theories about what to do to hone blades like these but am having no luck.

When I hone a 'straight' blade, I am able to get excellent shaves out of it. BUT, when honing anything with a smile I am struggling to get the toe of the blade to even begin cutting hair...

Does anyone have advice they can give me?

What I've tried: swooping/rolling x strokes, heel forward strokes, applying greater pressure when honing the toe, slightly lifting the blade when the toe is getting close to the edge of the hone on an x stroke.

At what point do you suggest hitting the 400 or 1k and bevel setting to remove enough steel to hone past the smile?

Am I even making sense!??