I usually recommend Norton 4/8 because bang for the buck it is a good buy. The whole 8x3 stone. Not some scam of cutting them up and selling a hone that is too short to really be efficient. Anyway, some of the best shaving razors I've ever had were done with the Norton 4/8. At one time it was virtually the only game in town save what were then rare and scarce naturals that have since become much more common.

The Shaptons, Naniwas, Choseras and other synthetics have only become available in recent years. Any of them will do the job but the 4/8 Norton is probably cheaper by comparison and a darn good razor hone. Get a Chosera 1k , a dmt 325 D8C to lap them, sharpen your kitchen knives as well, and you have all you need. Get to where you're shaving well off of your 8k edge and look to add a finisher. Naniwa 12k is nice.

Anyway, if you can't get good edges with the Norton you won't get them with any of the others. It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian.