Ink & Magnification. One of the most frustrating things about honing is not being able to see what is happening at the edge while the razor is on the stone. So try to “see” as much as you can. Eventually you will not need to see and learn to feel. Ink (Red or Blue will jump out at you) & Magnification are your answer.

So first, see where you are at. Invest in a magnifier, I like the Radio Shack 60/100 power for around $15.00, but any magnification will help.

Look at the edge straight on, edge facing directly at you under magnification and strong light. Any shiny spots you see are areas that are not sharp. You may have damaged the edge while stropping. It only takes a second of inattention to damage a perfect edge, with paste even easier. It happens to all of us.

1. As Ace said, make sure you are really sharp at 4 k or whatever you are setting the bevel at. You may need to go to a 1K to repair a damaged edge. Just because it was pro honed does not mean it has not been damaged.

Ink the bevel and hone at 4k and make sure you are making full contact on the entire bevel and have truly established a proper bevel and that it is sharp. (Both bevels are flat and meet at a point, no shiny spots). 1-2 laps should remove all the ink from the bevel, especially at the edge.

2. Ink and proceed to the 8k make sure the 8k is smooth, free of imperfection and prepared to cut. Some stones glaze quickly, prep with a DMT or rubbing stone.

3. Examine the bevel at 8k ensure you are making full contact. 1-2 laps should remove all the ink from the bevel.

4. Hair test for sharpness are very subjective and only testing the portion of the blade that is cutting that hair. I am baffled at how a 60-120k CBN edge will not tree top arm hair, yet shave like a dream. Probably something to do with the tooth of the edge at lower girts and my arm hair. Bottom line, I am not honing to cut arm hair, only shaving counts.

5. Experiment with pressure, start with more, end with less. Pressure is something you will have to learn by experience. Circles are for removing metal and getting to sharp, finish with full strokes at each grit, to even out and polish the edge. Bevel setting is for establishing the bevels and getting to sharp, subsequent stones are for polishing …the edge.

Go slow and systematic (repeatable) in your quest.