I get a HHT 0,1 off my finishing stone (Naniwa 12K). That is with a few, very light stropping finishing strokes. I have even shaved with it at this level and it was OK, but not great. The CrO on balsa or linen stropping does something magical for my blade that takes it to a solid HHT 2+ across the entire blade. This is a pretty good shaving level. But the leather adds some more "pixie dust" to the edge that often achieves that elusive HHT 3-5 level across the entire blade. Perhaps someday someone will take SEM's (scanning electron micrographs) of each level of SR sharpening (preferably of Lynn's work) where we can actually see what magic is taking place.

I have never had a bad shave with a blade at HHT 2 or more across the entire blade and I think some paste with leather are usually required to achieve this level. My experience is that the diamond pastes can do as well as CrO, but may be less forgiving. At least that has been my experience.