Originally Posted by
regularjoe
Calm down there..You've got at least 7 years to figure it out. :p
I suggest a synthetic waterstone of combination grit 3/8 or 4/8 as your first hone.
Read Gssixgun's monthly articles. One of them in the last few months addresses MOST of your questions. Then if you go back to the beginning of when he started it his monthly articles, you'll probably find the answer to almost all the questions a new person might ever think to ask.
If you ask a question on the open forum, and get fifty different opinions, then you'll be just as confused as when you started. I suggest finding a mentor, and asking that person your questions. That way you never subject yourself to multitudinous differing opinions.
The grits and honing stones will all make more sense in time. I remember when I first got my Norton 4/8. I was so glad they put the grit rating on the side because I thought I'd never be able to remember which side was which. As time passes, and you gain experience, all this stuff makes more sense. Take it slow, be methodical, and it will all sort itself out for you.