One no-frills finishing stone w/ Norton 4k/8k system
Well gents, I first signed up over here because I had honing questions. I've read and read and read, and I can now definitively say that I believe it is going to be better in the long run to get a proper 12k+ finishing stone. Here's the thing, though. I have too many hobbies. I like this one, and I enjoy what I get out of it, but I don't want to spend a lot of dough on stones until I have six in my workshop and still can't make up my mind.
So, I would like to defer to you gentlemen. Again, I use the Norton 4k/8k for most of my work. I have some pasted strops I finish with now, but if I could put the blades on a proper finishing stone, either natural or synthetic, I think my face and I would be a lot happier.
So, if you HAD to pick one, and only one finishing stone (followed by pasted strops is fine; I don't expect a straight to strop razor necessarily. I already have paste strops, and I'm good with them, so that can continue to be a part of the progression), and you wanted to stay in the range of <$200, what would you recommend?
I've got a gut feeling AGAINST cotis, but if you make a very compelling argument, I can be swayed.