“[I]The flappier the wheel, the less heat I get[/I]”

Because you are using the wrong kind of wheel and it is not cutting into the steel. If it is cutting, it will generate heat.

I don’t know how you got the greaseless to stick to the loose cotton wheel, but am not surprised with the results, as I suspect your greaseless is applied randomly.

So as your wheels are not cutting, you may be using more pressure and it is biting randomly causing your issue.

Some proper, 4 in wheels, either sewn cotton or sisal should work just fine. While it is not difficult to polish with greaseless, there is a steep learning curve, before you obtain mirror like results. Polishing a straight razor is probably one of the hardest things to master, because it is so easy to overheat and ruin the temper or remove way too much material by using too much pressure or low a grit.

How much is too much? That, you will have to figure out. How hot? Lay your index finger on the back side, if it is too hot to touch, it must be quenched immediately