Thread: Seems to be so many stones for honing!

There are a few ways you could approach it.
Since it is likely that you initial need would be to touch up a razor you have had honed already, a barbers hone to start my not be a bad idea but I am specific in my recommendation. I recommend an 8"Swaty. This is used like a bench stone, not like the more common hand held barbers hones, which wold be more like how you would do a full honing. Learning to touch up on this first might not be a bad way to go at all. Also this could be used as a finisher for you as well which leads into your next purchases.
A 1k for bevel setting and either a 4k/8k or 3k/8k combo. You can set your bevel with the 1k, progress to the 4k then 8k. Your goal should be to get a shavable edge off the 8k. Once achieved you have your 8"swaty that you can use to improve upon that 8k edge and it will work just fine as a finisher. After using these for a bit you can decide if you would like to pick up another finisher and have many options from there. I personally wouldnt get a 12k as it wouldnt improve upon the swaty edge so why bother. Id consider a 16k or 20k synthetic or possibly even one of the many natural finishers if you would like. The cool thing is you start with the swaty touching up edges, then it can serve dual purpose as your finisher as well. You could be great with just that or you can take it further and get another finisher in lieu of the swaty but it still wouldnt be wasted as it could be used as a touch up forever plus IMO it is just damn cool to have a vintage barbers hone.
my 2 cents....