I've been reading this forum for awhile now and have gotten some great info. I'm a bit stumped with some of my own gear though.
I've shaprened a lot of knives in my time but honing straights seems to be at an entirely different level. Over the past month I've acquired a couple of new wapi's, a full hollow Genco and a Wostenholm Original Pipe Razor (almost a wedge I believe.) I also found a Swaty at an antique store and bought an Arkansas "surgical' stone from Lehmans who in turn I believe got it from Col. Conk. I also got a cheap strop from Sportsmans Wharehouse.
I hone each razor a bit each day and have not yet had any pass the HHT or popping hairs from my underarm. The Swaty seems to be slowly putting an edge on each razor, especially when I combine a little soap and water. I sure can't tell anything is going on with the Arkansas stone though. Does anyone have any idea what the respective grit on an Arkansas "surgical" stone might be? I sure don't want to go from a finer hone on the Swaty to a coarser one on the Arkansas. And no one at Lehmans or Col. Conk has any idea at all as to its grit.
My shaving tests are, very slowly, improving albeit still pulling and painful but since I'm making progress, I want to continue and will eventually spring for a norton 4000/8000 based on recommendations in these forums.
Thanks for the help and keep up the great, great knowledge base.