I own the complete set of Norton stones, a diamond set and the very special super 12000k. Unless you are going to sharpen axes, knives and straight razors then you DO NOT need a full set of stones. I recommend that you have them professionally honed first. Learn to shave using a strop for awhile. The Naniwa 12k superstone is all I need to touch up the bevel followed by newspaper stropping on the the stone then leather stropping. It is shave ready every time after this. Unless you are carving vegetables in between shaves I don't think you will ever need more than this to maintain a well sharpened straight.