Quote Originally Posted by phunni View Post
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I think I have a much clearer idea of how everything fits together.

One final thing - I know a 10/12k is for finishing and a 1/3k is for bevel setting. Where do the 4 -8 range stones fit in in terms of either maintaining a razor or honing a ebay purchase or something in between?
1k bevel setting
4k sharpening
8k and above finishing

Approximately. For instance a chipped up ebay special may require an even lower grit. My honing mentors had me working with the 4/8 for sharpening and instructed to stay at 8k until I was getting stellar shaves at that level before moving up the grit ladder. That is if you really want to learn to hone from bevel set to finishing. Just doing touch ups on shave ready razors that are in need of a touch up may be a different skill set ?