Originally Posted by
Euclid440
So, the vast majority of shaving and edge issues are directly caused by a lack of a fully set or damaged edge.
You cannot polish an edge, that does not exist. As said TPT, or just looking at it straight down with magnification will tell you if the edge is fully set. A harsh edge is usually a microchipped edge.
And if you use a knife sharpening technique, like razing a burr you intentionally create a jagged edge. If the edge is not honed or jointed straight, you may fight it all the way and never get a smooth, straight edge or if you do it may fail after a few stropping.
Naturals cannot be grit rated and your natural of the same type and mine may be completely different, from the one cut before or after.
If you base your progression on claimed grit, you may not be moving finer in progression. We generally advise new razor honers, to start with a full synthetic progression and learn to hone razors, then move to naturals. With a knife a bit of grit deviation or a micro chipped edge may not matter that much or even improve the cutting edge, but not with a razor.
Making the process as simple and foolproof as possible will save you lots of frustration and speed the learning process, accepting that there is a big difference in honing skills and tools between knives and razors, for some is the hardest part.