Any Ideas on This Mystery?

[me2]

I have a Harbor Freight 1x30 sander that I use for sharpening everything from machete's to peanut pocket knives. The edges off the leather belt, after anything from a 180 to 1200 grit belt will shave above the skin and will whittle hair if I'm careful. Recently I got creative and built a box to hold the sander horizontal with the belt running away from me. I sharpen with stones in this position using a wooden ramp to hold the stone at the angle I want. I built the box to hold the sander so I could change the angle there to match my stone ramp. It works great for the sanding belts, with good control and a very even bevel, and I can see the burr just as it forms with the shop lights behind me. The only problem is that the leather belt will not get the edge as sharp as it does when it runs vertical. The leather belt is charged with white compound. The horizontal edges are still shaving sharp, but dont have the ability to shave above the skin like the ones vertically sharpened do. Any guesses or ideas?

[me2]

OK, I think I figured it out. Over buffing and too much compound. Last night I went straight from a 180 grit belt to the leather and could cut hair above the skin. Now to try going from 180 to 1200 to leather, on my M2 Puukko, currently the only knife I have that will shave straight (roughly) straight from the 180 grit belt.