Originally Posted by
kwlfca
You wouldn't really save money by skipping steps like that, especially when learning to hone. You'd end up with something that wouldn't really get the job done (depending on what job you're trying to do). If you want to spend less, you could get the norton 4/8K (an 8K used to be the norm to finish on) and then get your chromium oxide paste to polish the edge further than the 8K...just use it sparingly so you don't get a wire edge. Naniwa also makes a 3/8 combo stone, which would be a bit easier to set a bevel on than the 4K. If you want a cheaper stone, look for the Taidea stones on ebay. They are corundum stones that some guys here have used and are decent (do a SRP search for taidea to read what they have to say). I got a 3K from the seller "hellogiftshop" for $35 CAD. While these stones are decent and a bit cheaper...there is a point where you may as well just get a norton. Also keep in mind that naniwa stones are softer stones and will need regular lapping. Taidea stones are harder by comparison.
You could also just get a coticule like you were already thinking and go from heavy to no slurry, progressively to do one stone honing.