how about the norton 4k/8k then hit a pastes wooden bench strop then the linen then the leather? i just made a pretty crude but very functional wooden bench strop out of some planed poplar that seems to work pretty good. i haven't pasted it yet. i also have a Surgical Black Arkansas hone (4x2) that i recently realized is around 1200-1600 grit and much too coarse. i am also looking at a chinese 12k stone, but am hoping Chris L will come through with the cut ones he is talking about as they sound pretty good.

so what about setting the bevel with some 1200 grit paper and using the norton after that? i know that setting the bevel is very important, but i also don't have many razors that need to have the bevel reset (1 to be exact) so buying the hone right now seems a bit of a waste, plus they are much easier to find then the high grit stones, atleast where i am.

i am checking the shipping cost from The Perfect Edge as i sent them an e-mail. i hope it isn't much as i think i may be abale to find the money for that. my fingers are crossed. thanks for the link.