Originally Posted by
Euclid440
Yup, as said there is a lot written on these stone and they do run the gamut on performance. Burnishing can improve performance.
But, what is the condition of the razor? If your stone is a finisher, it will just finish, meaning the bevels and edge must be in good condition, flat bevels, at the proper angle and meeting from heel to toe.
Some Sharpie ink will tell you, if you are honing to the edge. If you are and the bevel and edge are in good shape, begin with 100 laps.
Do read the recommended C12k posts, (by the way few are 12k or even close, though some can finish). Also read the first 3 post in the honing forum.