I just got the delivery with my Norton set (220/1k,4k,8k) and a Naniwa 12k stone (plus I now have a pasted strop with Chromium Oxide). So, this week will be my first attempt at honing. I have two vintage razors in pretty good shape (Boker and a Dovo from eBay) but are definitely not sharp. Stones are lapped and should be ready to go. I've reviewed most of the literature out there and have Lynn's DVD as well, so I feel pretty good on technique overall and figure it's time to put the metal to the stone. So, here's a chance for some advice to the new guy. I have been shaving with a pro honed SR for a little over a month and know what I'm going for, just need advice to get there.

So a few questions for guidance and I'm open to additional input!

1) Thumb pad test - one of the razors doesn't seem to want to let go of my thumb when I roll it, but it also doesn't feel like it has any danger of cutting my skin either. Does that mean the bevel is there and I should just go to the 4k, or should I run it on the 1k? (I know it's feel, but from that, what's your guess?)
2) In the progression from 1k to 4k and 4k to 8k, what do you recommend for validations? What are your benchmarks and tests that the razor is ready for the next level?

One idea I had originally was to send one of these two out to get the bevel set and then try to get the other to match it, but I think I'm going to try one on my own first and see if it gives me fits or not.