To the op, maybe before you get a 12k, you might want to consider a 1k or equivalent. If your bevel is not set, you can polish all day but it wont be sharp. Using a 4k is doable but may take a very long time if the razor is off. And it literally can take hours if the spine is bent or the toe is short etc. Magic marker test is the first one I use as this tells me how far the blade is from sharp. Regarding the hht tests, I use them and it is one of the ways I know Im advancing on the progression. Thats the reason why I use it. I have to pass hht off the 8k or equivalent or Im not done. And I need to pass it at a higher level after the 12k or equivalent. And then crox and then 50 laps on leather. Every step gives me a better hht and that shows the blade is progressively sharper. The ultimate and only relevant test is the shave test. But I have never had as good a shave as I have with a blade that passes the hht test. Looking at the bevel with a 30x jewelers loupe shows you lots. And the thumb nail test and thumb pad test as well as the hht. I think they are very important as progress is able to be measured. Obviously not every one agrees on this. But saying it feels sharp is an opinion, cutting a hair a half inch from the tip of your finger with no pressure or swiping means to me the shave will be good. Not passing reveals to me Im not done, and that usually means I missed something at a lower grit than I am on. My 2 cents.