I have done my best to avoid using pasted strops but sooner or later I feel the need. CBN and CrOx are the only pastes I rely on save an occasional turn on the Dovo black. The fewer laps you need on a pasted strop, the better your honed edge is in the very first place IMO.

Learn to rely on a shave ready edge from the 8k stone and then 5 laps or so on CrOx or CBN. Should give you a nice and smooth shave. Finishing stones (12k+) are interesting, fun, expensive, but not necessary for a smooth shave. Any knowledgeable honer will have no trouble getting a perfectly acceptable shave from the 8k stone.

8k is my benchmark.

Jerry
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