+1 to the above. If someone isn't getting a nice shave without any problems off a 8k Norton, than he is doing something wrong. If you use crox afterwards, than that shave will be even better. The equation is not 8k=average shave 12k+ = very good shave, 8k is a nice shave, and the higher grit stones are even better. But only if you even know what a good 8k shave is, if not, than you won't be satisfied with your higher grit finisher.

I have a friend who bought about 10 expensive finishers, Oozukus, eschers, nani 12k, shapton 16k, cotis, etc, and he was searching for a better finisher still. I sent him a nice Puma finished on a Norton 8k, and leather only, and he was surprised what high grit finisher I used for the edge... none. Now he is learning to use his lower grit stones to get a shave off 8k, he understood what we are talking about in every second topic