dude you are just flattening the stone right in the center... you need to do circles or something accross the ENTIRE STONE! you will still have high corners and ends doing it this way. That is why I dont' like those cheaper diamond plates, they are too small, if you can afford it try the Atoma! Watch how Harleson stantly flattens his stones, it will help you figure it out. Try putting the diamond in your stone holder, and rubbing your water stone over the plate, I find that works the best.