I had an idea to classify the skill levels of honing. I'ts pretty simple, and if you have any ideas I'd love to hear them. You can also comment on where you think you belong on this if you like.

Newb: Has hones or is thinking of buying his first one. Not sure yet how and when to lap/maintain hones. Knows how to do a very basic edge leading stroke but is unable to do so evenly over the whole blade. Potentially unable to keep the blade flat on the hone, instead "seesawing" the blade. Asks lots of questions about tape.

Beginner: Has one or two hones or maybe a full set. Able to lap and maintain his hones. Is able to keep razors flat on the hone during the honing stroke. Can do an edge leading x-stroke with some confidence. Trying more advanced techniques like circles, rolling x-strokes. Learning to test a blades edge with HHT, AHT, TPT, MMT and any other T they can think of. Has had one or two successes. Thinks he has mastered honing, and wants to know which finisher to buy.

Intermediate: Has a set of hones. Knows what each hone is capable of and uses it appropriately. Is able to adapt pressure and motion so that an edge leading stroke hones a blade from toe to heel on most any razor. Is able to use different tests to taylor the process of honing a razor. If after a shave test, the edge is not right, he is able to figure out why and fix the problem.

Expert: May have more than one hone for a given purpose, or more than one set of hones. Can adapt the honing process to a particular razor and most often hone to shave ready on the first try. Has honed many razors of different types and grinds with success. Offers honing advice and is usually right in such matters.

Meister: All of the above. Has an expansive collection of hones. Has honed hundreds or thousands of razors. Always succeeds when honing a razor, and does so mainly on the first try. Teaches honing to others, and has particular ideas about how to instruct others. May hone professionally.

I think I fall into the intermediate category.

Michael