[oldnretired1]

This is an old school method. I just use a piece of cardboard from an empty cereal box (the side with no print) and rub a little green compound on it and put it on a piece of thick glass I have. Any flat ridgid surface would do though.
  Denim from an old pair of jeans with compound works too. I prefer the cardboard though. I just throw it away when I'm done. The denim works OK but is too squishy for my tastes.
  I know what you mean about not feeling it. I recently sharpened an old butcher knife and somehow shaved a super thin slice of skin off my knuckle (I could see right through it) and didn't even realize it until I noticed it on the knife blade. The spot didn't even bleed, just looked a little red. I'll be really careful with that knife now LOL.