Originally Posted by
DaveW
I use almost entirely naturals, but sometimes both (always a natural finisher).
For certainty in your method, I'd say you want to make a lateral move from synthetic to natural stone. That is, you don't want to go from a 1k synthetic stone to a PHIG on a regular basis (and especially not 1k diamond to that). I'd go from a 1k synthetic to a soft arkansas or something to get a flatter groove profile and then go to the natural finisher on slurry and then with clear water.
When you dabble in bevel setting, you have to decide how many razors you're going to set up and maintain, because you should never have to go lower than your natural finisher to maintain a razor. If you're not going to restore razors or buy lots of them, it's not that critical what you use for a lower stone.