Stone set (mainly shapton) buying advice?
I plan to get a set of stones sooner or later. I could wait a few months if stores have regular big annual sales or something like that. I probably won't be doing any major restores. Always a possibility of an eBay razor or two in the future. Always the possibility of dinging one of my good blades and I am thinking of maybe trying a modification (see my 2" double spike point thread :)). So basically routine touch ups and lite usage otherwise. I like the glass shaptons. Top of the line stone with max performance, minimal maintenance and should last me the rest of my natural life.
I've browsed a bit and originally I was thinking:
DMT D8C (325 grit) for a lapper: $37 +s&h (and maybe tax?) Amazon. 44.84 +$394 tax at Craftsman Studio
Shapton 1000: $43
Shapton 4000: $56
Shapton 8000: $80
Shapton 16000: $100
DMT stone holder: $15
So all that would be about $330 + maybe $20 for shipping (different places or tax here) so we're talking roughly $350 - $360
Now I see that Craftsman Studio has these shapton 3 stone sets that include the shapton 3 stone holder/station. They price the holder/station at $60. Their Straight Razor Set includes the 1000/6000/16000 and the set holder/station for $235 -- basically they're throwing in the holder/station for half price at $30.
1) Is the holder/station worth it? I know you can do without but is it *really* convenient? worth $30?
2) Can I make do with the 1000/6000 instead of the 1000/4000/8000 I had originally planned? Keep in mind that I will mostly be doing touch ups so I do want the 16000. Could I reasonably set a bevel with the 1000 and then go from there to the 6000 and jump to the 16000 (on the rare occasions I might do that? Or would that be a rediculous amount of extra work. If I did minor repair with the 6000 I'd still be jumping to the 16000. I do plan on getting the DMT D8C for lapping so I guess I could start a bevel on that if need be?
Going with the D8C/1000/6000/16000/holderstation I'm looking at $303 (free shipping but since I live in CA they're going to charge me tax).
Deal? or No Deal?