I think some of the problems I am getting is to do with slop between shaft and stone chanel. Anyone had the same thoughts? I have heard that some people use a straw but I can't find one the right size.

They are the ones that Tony Jackson sold me.

The guy in Australia is awesome as well. He rings to see how I went and gives advice and we talk for ages.

After a conversation with a guy who seems to really know his stuff I went back to my custom skinner and went back to the 1000 stones. I rubbed them together to smooth them off as we talked about. I then went (using very light pressure) and sharpened the knife from the front to the back to remove any chance of there being scratches from the higher grit stones and so I could see the effect that the 15micron paper had. After 150 strokes each side from the handle again with the 15 micron paper I can still see marks going the other way from the 1000 stones ??? And I did make sure to get a burr on the 100 stones when I started.

I am still getting some marks left on the bevel after I have finished with my progression . It goes Diamond 100/200 , 400/600 , 800/1000 , then lapping paper 15 micron , 9 , 5 , 3 , 1 , .3 . Then Leather strops .250 micron / .125 micron diamond spray. Any ideas ? I was thinking of going to the 1200/ 1600 ceramic after the diamonds and then the lapping paper. What do you guys think ?