when i started about 1.5 years ago i too wanted to be cost effective and i bought a J.A. HENCKELS 3k/8k stone 170$. then timor paste set brown/black which is.... ummm 8or10k and 12k(10$). then i finally got cromium oxide. ive been able to sharpen from blunted with this cheap set up and maintain all razrs. using lynns circle method ive been able to work any bevel on the 3k stone