“if you mix brands, or series of hones the progression may not represent what you might think it is. Due to the different rating systems, and differences in performance, a progression up just grit numbers may not actually be an upward progression. The result is that a seemingly higher grit hone actually can be more coarse than the preceding hone even if it has a higher number stamped on it.”


Sorry, a 1k will never leave 4k stria and a 4k will never leave 8k stria, may not cut as deep but it is still that wide and each will still be removed by the next stone.

There’s not, that much difference in stone grits no matter who is rating it, maybe in the high grits it might matter, like the SG20 and the Shapton 30, but not in the bread and butter grits.


Doesn’t matter, as long as you, set a bevel, (whatever you use) and end at 8 or 12k. 8K is where an edge gets real straight. What happens in the middle, does not matter.


There are no “rules”, find what works for you, then perfect it. Most new guys, buy what they can afford and will be just fine, as long as the stones are decent quality stones. You really only need three a 1,4 & 8k or anything close.


I know guys that, bevel set on Harbor Freight diamond plates and/or old carborundum stones, finish on well-worn Barber Hones, and strop the bejesus out of whatever comes across their bench and been doing it for years. They are fine shaving edge.

Next time I see them, I’ll tell them, they are doing it all wrong…