Learning to use the Norton sounds like good advice. I'd recommend shaving off the 4K too, you might be surprised at the results - I've not shaved off a Norton 4K but shaving off 1K and 6K stones really does confirm how much of the work is done at the lower grits, alongside a good stropping.
If the plan is long term self sufficiency and you already have a 4K & 8K, and a method to keep them flat, I think an ~1K synthetic bevel setter should be first on the list. If you can set a decent bevel ~1K then refine it with the 4K>8K you are self sufficient imo. A finisher is the icing on the cake.
8K>30K is a very big jump in numbers but I found even a few laps on a chromium oxide loaded strop made a huge difference to my edges coming off a 6K stone. When I went for a paste progression of 1>1.5 micron diamond to chromium oxide I usually ended up with a harsh edge & a rough shave, granted this could be my technique. I'm not really looking for a true 30K edge when taking a razor from 6/8K stone to chromium oxide, just a little extra smooth/sharp in the shave. Having said that I no longer use chromium oxide and prefer stone>linen>leather.Quote:
Originally Posted by criswilson10