denatured alcohol on end grain will do you wonders..... This makes the plane act like a tool that you didnt know you owned...

And sometimes the burr cant be felt, but it is there.... Even on my king stones ( which I can not wait to upgrade ) I can get a fantastic hone ..... Learn your technique, stick to it and the results will occur... now If i could just get my pocketknife as sharp as my square edged irons and chisels...