I'm new to honing and I'm trying to see how different these hones are in comparison. Basically, I'm either going with the standard Norton 4/8k combo stone or a diamond hone.

Now the 8k grit of the norton is fine enough to get that razor sharp edge back, but how does it compare to the DMT Dia-Sharp - Fine - 600grit Diamond Stone? The description on the diamond stone states that it is used for sharpening a regularly maintained razor. Is the grit between a regular hone and a diamond hone really different?

A norton hone with 600 grit count would remove quite a bit of material wouldn't it? So, I would think that a diamond hone with 600grit would have to be significantly different if it was just for maintaining the edge of a razor that just needs to be tuned up.

Any thoughts?

BTW, none of the razors I own have bad edges as far as being really dull or having chips. I just need to bring the fine edge back.