Thread: Am I buying crap?

First thing you need to decide is the purpose of the stone. It's not that there's anything wrong with your choices there. It's just that each stone has a purpose and best use. For a "do it all hone", I wouldn't choose either, regardless of my income. I'd put your 25 bucks in a jar, then put 25 in a jar next month, and then 25 in a jar the next month....then pull it all out and buy a Norton 4/8 or a Naniwa 3/8.

Plus that'll give you 3 months experience with someone else's edge, before you start trying to figure out sharpening, and shave ready, on top of shaving.