Having reached a stage of learning where I can hone passably and my shaves are going well, I'm really interested in this topic.

I'm mindful of all the questions such as over-honing, no honing enough, how does one refresh a blade, how often, etc.?

I don't use paddle strops or pastes, I prefer to rely on my trusty coticule. My question is: if a blade is in need of refreshing (say after 6-8 shaves), and I want to use hones as opposed to pasted strops, what sort of treatment should I be giving the blade?

- Do I use just the coticule? If so, how many strokes?
- Or should I use Norton 8k and coticule? Again, what kind of progression?
- Or should I use a very small pyramid on Norton 4k/8k and finish off on coticule? E.g. 1/3, 1/3, 1/5, coticule?

Any pointers gratefully received!