Good morning.

I am sitting here planning my day out and looking at my shelves and as I came across my honing/ stropping shelf a thought crossed my mind as I was looking at my norton 4000/8000 and two old barber hones.

I know a lot of folks like the N-4k/8k and I know that probably an equal amount of people prefer an actual barbers hone.

What REALLY is the difference with the exception the N4k/8k is double sided?

Is it grit size? ease of use?

If a person just starting out and learning to hone a straight razor HAD to choose between the two, what would it be and why?

I once saw a video on youtube of aguy doing a quicky touch up hone using a barber stone and instead of water or oil, he actually used shave soap. Is that a good method to practice?

everyone have a great and safe day. Thank you for reading this.