I've just signed up as a newbie and need a bit of advice.

I've got a large-ish DE collection that I'm finally happy with and have decided to explore the world of straight shavinga bit more.

I've got a couple of cheap Chinese straights I've been learning on and am looking to have a go at honing them myself in order to see what sort of results I can get from them.

I've got a Norton 1000/4000 waterstone on the way from a BST thread in another forum and was thinking (based upon what I have read on various forums), of getting a waterstone in the 6000 to 8000 grit range.


I note that in the UK, an 8000 grit Norton or Japanese waterstone is almost twice the price of a 6000 grit Japanese waterstone and, as I want to try and keep initial costs down, I was wondering whether I could get away with purchasing a 6000 grit waterstone or is a 8000 grit waterstone a clear necessity.


I do have a barber hone (an AAT strop-back hone - which I presume is around the 10000 grit mark), as well and would intend to use this after the 6000 / 8000 grit waterstone.


Any advice would be gratefully received.