If only the word 'best' was clear, but it isn't, and that's the problem. The meaning of the word 'best' is relative to the context in which it is used. For example, as someone has mentioned, the best car could be a Mercedes McClaren if all you need to do is go 200 miles per hour. If you are taking kids to soccer practice, then the best car is probably a mini-van. Regarding hones, 'best' can mean 'easiest to use', 'fastest working', 'easiest to keep lapped', 'most durable', or 'gives the best feedback'.

If I had to pick just one hone for finishing and stick with it, it would be the Naniwa SS 12K. I have a Shapton 16K and a 30K, and the Naniwa has just about made them obsolete.