Hi chaps,
well I have taken the plunge and bought a stone. This may turn out badly but I thought what the heck and did it anyway. Surfing my new favourite online merchant (TIE), I settled upon a natural stone described as akin to a 12k. Following the clear and concise instructions provided by SRP I lapped my new acquisition on its arrival and took off any edges using a 320 grit wet-dry paper. I have the one razor only as of now, a Revisor 5/8 ( I am actually bidding on a PUMA 6/8 on a popular online auction site, it looks tidy but as always it's pot luck), so I was determined to just start by getting the feel of the stone. I used electric tape to protect the back of the razor and, after wetting the stone, performed twenty passes on each side using the weight of the blade only. Afterward I gave it a stropping and then shaved with it. I want to say it was better but I know it's probably not so. Until I send something to an expert Honer I am just shooting in the dark, but it is something I'm determined to become accomplished at. Does anyone have any experience with Chinese stones and if so what do you think?