I finally had my first comfortable shave off my shapton 8k. I tried as best as I could to set the bevel on the shapton 1k. I begin feeling paranoid in analyzing the edge wanting to make sure that it was set. When I was convinced that I could see no reflection at the edge.

I moved to the 4k for about 25 laps then moved to the 8k. And after 25 laps I went to the crox for 20 laps but made a mistake, but I stropped and tested. Didn't cut through one Wisker before going back to the 4k. Done 40 circles each side and 25 more laps. Moved to 8k for about 30 laps.

I looked under a set a loupe to make sure there was no microchips. Done 35 laps on crox then 50 linen and 80 latigo. Test shaved and it felt smooth.

(By the way I can't seem to do any "tree-topping" until after a stropping)

So I thought I would go ahead and take the week's growth off. It was a very comfortable shave. Really enjoyable. I couldn't get my 100% BBS on my ATG. But it was decently close. I had to strop at least once before my ATG to get it cutting again, but still not quite what I want. I want to get better closer shaves with the edge lasting longer, but this close is definitely livable and I can see that you can live off a 8k edge.

Quick question though. Is not the shapton 8k finer than a norton 8k so would this be slightly cheating while I am chasing a comfortable 8k edge?