Bill, much as I would love to say that "master hover" is an Aussieism unfortunately it isn't, I just got predictive texted :)
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Well man ,im gona tell you 2 things - first of all, forget abbout piramids , systems , number of strokes and a grit ratings . When i first start to shave with a straight, i didnt know a thing ,abbout what grit are my stones . I just know , the same thing as everybody - the finer goes after the coarser .
So one advice ,dont relate on a grit ratings and systems .Try to hone ,as you feel the stones ,and what they give you on the edge .Get your 2 most important stones , 1 K and 3 k , and hone the razor , as you can cut hairs on a 1 K bevell set edge . Next , hone on a 3 K , so at the end you can shave, easyly hairs from your arm.
Try to get maximum sharpness on the 3 K .
The next stones are 5- 6 K ,try to get the max sharpness again , if is a king 6 K , it doesnt give a sharp edge, so skipp it and go to 8 K . Now stay , untill you get a shaving sharpness for a normal shave . From 1 to 3 to 5 to 8 K , rubb and clean your synthetics to avoid clugging. On the 5 and 8 K , try the edge if cuts equaly on the hole lenght . If something go slow - work this part more , untill is equal sharp to the other parts .
After the 8 k ,just make very light and concentrated strokes on a 10 or 12 K . The key word is light . you can use a liquid soap to increace sharpness on a fine stones .
Try the edge at the 12 K if it poping hairs easyly, and i recomand you to stop there and strop carefuly . This has to be a very good shaving edge . When you learn about honing , then you can dive into a hunt for a smoother edge.
Once you get the hang of it or when you understand how it works , only the practice will give you better edges .