As much as I love me a Barber's hone, I would go with the 12k. Here's why:
- In my experience, a barbers hone can range in grits. I have yet to find one in 15k! I hear they may exist, but I haven't found one. :( Either way, a 12k will leave no guesswork which is important as guesswork can drive a noob nuts. If its not polishing up on a 12, you've waited too long.
- You are going to start honing. Admit it :). The 12k is simply the first stone in your collection.
Actually, one could argue that a 12k complemented by a 1k could give you an edge from the lowlyest of blades and is all you need. But I like my progressions.
In theory, you could also get a couple of diamond pastes and do the same thing. Get a linen strop and do a 1 micron and maybe a .25 or whatever you feel along with a sheet of balsa with some green crox. That would work too!! Maybe even better.?
I like my Barber's hone. Don't get me wrong. But I think things with real numbers really helps a noob and a system is a great place to start before experimenting. But that's me.
Start a thread asking guys how they maintain a blade. Right now I am using my nani finishing stone or my Chinese stone of unknown grit but widely believed to be 12k and my strops. Mostly my strops.
Good luck!!