Hello Louis,
You can inspect the edge for any damage just with a strong source of light, a 10× loupe will already be of tremendous help. All you do is take the razor with the spine pointing downwards, look at the very edge just as if you wanted to reflect light off it. Twist it left/right, up/down to be sure you won't miss any reflections. Some recommend having the light right behind your shoulder, I just do it with a light hanging low over the table, in front of me. Properly honed and undamaged edge won't reflect a blink, any irregularities should reflect light at some angle and show up. The stronger the light the better chance to see them. I even do it when I dull edge on glass, I take a quick peek at the edge to see if it's well dulled, when I see a shiny line way along an entire length, I know I'm good to go.
Some areas on a coticule may be a tad harder and give a different sound, especially when you do a rolling stroke, and contact area between razor and the hone is much smaller. I experienced it with my La Grosse Blanche, and based solely on the feeling, without actual edge inspection, I dug out a small cavity where I suspected the feared inclusion was. Moron. :thumbdown: Luckily it still does its job tremendously.
Keep us posted.
regards,
Matt