Quote Originally Posted by gugi View Post
So, you need to answer the real question - what kind of honing are you planning to do.
If you want to only maintain your razors after they are honed once then get that naniwa 12k that you want to get and you're done.

If you want to restore razors that come off ebay or antique shops then you need 1k level hone and then something in the 4k level and something in the 8k level (you can sometimes mix and match manufacturers, but if you don't your life will be easier).
3k->10k is a big jump that you should not attempt at this point and the one you want is 5k->8k, but if you have to alter one of them do 3k->8k because you already said you're getting the 12k.
I would go along with that and I did. I use all Naniwa Super Stones in a progression of 1K, 3k, 8K and 12K followed by a Crox pasted balsa strop to try and bring old razors to shave ready.

If you are going to do a lot of old razors I would consider getting the thick,2cm/20mm, versions of the hones as opposed to the thin,1cm/10mm ones. At a minimum the thick version of the 1K as it will be your work horse in setting bevels on those old razors.

Whatever way you decide to go have fun at honing. It is an aspect of shaving with a straight razor that I am surprised that I enjoy now. It was plenty frustrating in the beginning though but I had no real experience in sharpening anything.

Bob