Thread: When to move one from 4K level

For me, anything higher then 1k is all visual. I can hone without a loupe, but I don't like to. I set the bevel on the 1k and move on when it tests well. When it passes my bevel tests I don't do any more "testing" until the shave test. I mainly use Naniwa SS 5k after a Chosera 1k. The 5k SS leaves a pretty leaves a pretty smooth bevel so it's pretty easy to tell when ALL of the 1k scratches are gone. If the heel looks cleaner then the toe, the toe need more attention. When I'm certain that all of the 1k scratches are gone, I go the the 8K until all of the 5k scratches are gone. After the 8K, I'm done with the loupe and it's on to the finisher.