Thanks for all the replies! Really, really helpful, thanks, I'm starting to think I'm learning a bit. Just a couple of more questions:
I understand that you mean, Mick, just curious, really, to see what the edge looks like...
That's good, though the edge has the SMALLEST amount of damage when I closed the blade a little carelessly and it came in contact with the scales.
Do you mark both SIDES of the blade or the EDGE?
Yeah, I agree, It'd be great if someone could watch me and tell me what I'm doing wrong (or right).
Silly question, does GS stand for "Glass Shapton"? I'm not adverse to buying a stone in the middle (12k?) if needed, but I'd rather not; these two cost me 230 incl postage as it is.
Another silly question (sorry) if you can get a smooth and comfortable shave off an 8k, why would you NEED to go further? To get an even BETTER shave? Sorry for the question, I DO know I tend to overthink things and 'dive to the detail', but that's where the devil is, I believe :-)
I'm glad I was on the right track with that. I judged that by the time I got a new strop (for use with the paste or spray, and also considering the 'mess') I thought I might as well just get the high grit stone...
Please PLEASE tell me! What IS a barber's hone! I can't seem to find out what it IS!
OK, you've just lost me there...(though I'm happy my setup is the same as yours :-) Do you mean 3 on the 8k 1 on the 16k, followed by 1 on the 8k, 3 on the 16k, etc?
Sorry for the long reply and all the quotes, but I found the replies REALLY useful and they deserved a well considered response!