You should probably tape the spine. It will reduce hone wear and keep your razor pretty, and give you a slightly thicker and tougher edge.
Make sure you don't use much pressure. the distal part of the blade flexes a lot and it needs to be flat.
Watch some videos on rolling and X strokes. Those are different than knives. The straight edge is super thin, and usually isn't straight. You can't force it straight. You have to work with the curves. It you try to force it straight, it just gets wonky before getting ruined. Rolling strokes and x strokes help with this.
Your stone progression should be fine. 8k synth edge is plenty sharp to use or go to an ark.
Make sure you don't use much pressure. the distal part of the blade flexes a lot and it needs to be flat.
Watch some videos on rolling and X strokes. Those are different than knives. The straight edge is super thin, and usually isn't straight. You can't force it straight. You have to work with the curves. It you try to force it straight, it just gets wonky before getting ruined. Rolling strokes and x strokes help with this.
Your stone progression should be fine. 8k synth edge is plenty sharp to use or go to an ark.