yeah, I have tried all the trcks listed here with the sharpie on the edge and the rolling x-stroke. The rolling part is what I seem to have the most trouble with. I also agree that I have gotten my best shaves from my razors that have a smile and I have sent them out in the past to be re-ground and when they came back they were scary sharp but due to the coarseness of my facial hair it wasnt long before they needed some attention and so I took them to the hones and made them even duller and now the more I try and hone them the closer they are getting to butterknife status. That is the most frustrating part is that I love these razors and can not use them.