Ok, I'm plenty frustrated as of late. When I first started out I didn't do a good job setting a bevel. Later I didn't do well figuring out when to move from 4k to 8k. Now I can't seem to figure out a finishing stone. I suppose the good news is that I'm moving forward.

So igot a new blade to work on this evening. It's 6/8, full hollow. I set the bevel on a 1k. I do my circles, x strokes on slurry. I go until it passes a thumbnail test. I rinse the hone clean and buff the edge as much as I can on the 1k. It's cutting SOME standing hair at this point and shaves at the skin level nicely. On to the 4k. Very light pressure. Circles. Then xstrokes. I keep going checking the scratch patterns to see if they are being replaced. I hang out here longer than I normally do to ensure the deep scratches are going away as much asi can get them. The razor is popping standing hairs quite well at this point. On to the 8k. Very ver light pressure. Circles again. X strokes again. I'm looking for scratch patterns to buff away. The edge is looking good. It's shaving for sure. On to the Zulu grey. Just water, no slurry. I do ten passes, it'slightly worse. Ten more, and it's that much worse. Ten more and those hairs that were popping above skin level are now just getting pushed over by the blade. What the hell is happening here? Is my Zulu different from everyone else's or am I doing something wrong along the way. BTW, diamond spray brings me back to level of sharpness I had before I ruined th edge. Am I pushing it too far at the lower grits or screwing it up at the higher grits (finishing stones).