Quote Originally Posted by TheSatch View Post
Figuring I was already started, I decided to finish and completed 10 firm pressure strokes on both sides with the black stone. When I looked at the edge, I was surprised to find it was polished well, the marks from the hard stone were gone, and the edge looked better than I had managed previously. I completed honing with 10 light x-strokes on each side on the black stone, and 10 light x-strokes on the translucent. Its the best edge I have achieved so far, and I have had no issues shaving with edges I have achieved previously.

Is it normal for natural stones to need more pressure on the finishing stones? I'm wondering if I got lucky or if it is a technique I can utilize in the future.
Your numbers are quite surprising. In general, whenever an Arkansas hone is involved the required number of strokes goes up about ten-fold in comparison to synthetics.