I did try to hone my weapon from 16 to 17.
When i did this with full extra mats it failed, resulting in NOT increasing the artisian energy at all. After a relog its still on the same, it even said it increased by 0.00%.
ok, it seems to be the same like other ones experience, i cant hone any other gear which has no exp on it, it seems it also didnt used up my mats and gold