Originally Posted by
Brontosaurus
Yes, no need for a 6k King in a 1k > 4k > 8k King progression. It's either 1k > 6k or 1k > 4k > 8k. My take is that a two-step progression is good for beginners, as the resultant effects are more obvious than the transition from 4k to 8k; and ending with 6k for starters allows one to really concentrate on the technique that leads to the best possible edge off that hone. Afterwards, one can use a pasted strop as mentioned to fill the office of an 8k, or a 10k in this case, which again has an advantage in starting out as it emphasizes the importance of good stropping technique. But I'm also thinking that 1k > 4k > 10k or 1k > 6k > 10k in the OP's present collection, cleaned up and used straight with water, would do the job quite well. Again, for starters, I would suggest 1k > 6k, then plain stropping off this until the best edge is obtainable, followed by a later introduction of the 10k. If 1k > 4k used clean with water is really the way according to his taste in the end, then fine, shave with this until the best the possible edge is reached before introducing the 10k, leaving out the 6k.