Quote Originally Posted by dmpljim View Post
I thank those of You Who have responded to my thread thusfar! I can afford to purchase quite a bit of these items, yet I feel that it is prudent to buy those which will give me the fastest and sharpest, long lasting dissapearing edge, which we all aspire to attain with our individual efforts.
You may want to re-check your expectation management. The decisive factor is skill combined with experience. As I said, I have seen Bart hone a razor from completely dull to shaving sharp within 15 minutes using only a Coticule. No amount of hones will help you get good results fast.

Quote Originally Posted by dmpljim View Post
I am leaning toward a Norton 4000 and a 8000 hones along w a Corticule and a slurry stone as well as maybe a Naniwa 12000 stone just to see how fine I can get the edge. As suggested, I can always put what I don't like up on the classified ads.
Indeed. Since you got yourself a Coticule in the meantime, why not get a 4/8 Norton combo for now, and leave it at that? As I said, more hones will not make learning faster.

Quote Originally Posted by dmpljim View Post
I would appreciate it if somebody could tell me where I could find a sturdy hone holder which has the water trough below? If all of my hones were the same sizes, a holder/work station would be sweet!
Veritas Tools - Sharpening - Stone Pond - the holders are adjustable.