Everyone thinks they work/sing/dance fine under the influence ;)
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The biggest problem for a new guy is getting feedback on what works for them. How many strokes on a given stone for how many sets etc. The best way I know is to invest in a small 5 mp microscope to monitor your work between each set on a given stone and you will know when enough is enough and when few more strokes are needed. Dr. Matt on youtube is a really excellent teacher, also he is not one to suggest that $350 exotic stone. He has a video on refreshing a razor for beginner or advanced. It should be a must watch
With a USB scope, you can also keep before and after pictures to chart your own progress and compare different blades you work on.
I am big on shave testing before each progression. Anyone can tell you hht tests and arm hair tests etc but without knowing how these tests feel to them you're kind of in the dark. To me shaving is the only way to truly tell.
Pulling ime always means the bevel isn't set. when I set a bevel I can shave with it. Other than shaving I like to use a loupe to check for chips on the edge because the razor can pass an hht with chips and same with arm hair tests. But then you shave and the razor feels like garbage. You can also have a foil edge which shaves arm hair fine and then crumbles off and when you shave it feels horrible.
Even Babe Ruth didn't hit a home run every time he went to bat .......... :shrug:
Wow this post took a serious turn for a second :gth