Does anyone know of a reason why a Frederick Reynolds circa mid nineteenth century would take forever to hone? I just spent three solid hours on this badboy.

I went from the DMT 325 to the Nort 1k, then tried the 4k. No arm hairs there so I dropped the Nortons and went to the coticule with slurry. I finally was popping arm hairs and diluted to plain water. Then to the Naniwa 12 k and then felt with .5 diamond paste. Then 50 laps on bridle leather and it shaved nicely.

I can't understand why it took so long before I could pop arm hairs. Is this steel that hard? This is the first F Reynolds I ever honed. Has anyone had a similar experience with Reynolds blades?