Quote Originally Posted by boostdemon View Post
How many razors are you planning on honing? If you're just starting out, a full set of lapping films and a piece of tile from the hardware store will probably be the best bang for buck. Imagine getting a 1k, 2k, 3k, 5k, 8k, 12k, and 16k for about $8. rickboone gave me a sheet of each that he gets in packs of 25 from specialized.net i think he said. I haven't tested them out but i'm about to this weekend.

I have a Norton 4/8k that i do just fine getting an edge good enough for shaving with. 4k till its set, 8k till its smooth, then chromium oxide pasted linen, plain linen, sticky leather strop, fast and smooth leather strop... perfectly good edge that lasts.
I agree lapping film produces great edges and costs a lot less than a set of hones.. I have a set up chosera..1,3,5, then 10,15 , 20 suehiros.. And a norton 4/8 combo.. But when I started I bought a king 1k and the norton 4/8 combo.. There is a ton of info about the norton on here it's the janorton thread.. If I had to buy a starter said again it would b lapping film..u can hone and absolutely hate it and be stuck with hundreds of dollars in door stoppers... U can hit the honing wall and never climb over it.. My two cents