Originally Posted by
gssixgun
I need to clarify here guys, as I can see a trend...
There is a difference in smoothness not sharpness per se...
I have said this numerous times here
approximate grits to do things on a blade
below 1k = damage repair
1k-3k = bevel set
3k-6k = sharpen
7k-10k = polish
above 10k = finish
All you are doing here is using the slurry to make a combo hone on one stone nothing more nothing less...
If you are talking in engineering terms yes I might get a few microns more out of the edge by using a finisher or pastes but more than that, I am going to get smoothness....
At a 4k level regardless of stone, slurry, or magic dust, you are pretty much at the sharpness level you need to be at, after that you are polishing and smoothing the edge.... This of course depends on the hands not the hone.... I actually did the exact same tests as I always have done when honing the blade last night I did a TNT and when the blade was grippy (like a 1k) I lightened the slurry then I got to a point that the entire razor was popping arm hair (like a 4k) I rinsed and went to the bare stone... nothing changed other than I had to do more work with the slurry....
I hope that clarifies it