Help a new guy choose my hones

I need some help deciding on my hones to buy. I am trying to keep it as simple as posible. I don't really want to fuss around with chromium or diamond pastes. I think i can get by with one all purpose stone and one finishing stone. the folowing are the options i am looking at.


All Purpose

Norton 4/k 8/k ( $80.00 cad local)
King 1/k 6/k (35.00 CAD local)


Finishing stone

kati-yama 12k ($90.00 CAD local)
Naniwa 10k ($105.00 CAD local)
Couticle 6"x1.5" (60.oo USD = 80.00 CAD + shiiping and customs)


I would definatly prefer to pick up what I need localy but I need my razor to be as sharp as possible


thanks
(

norton
Belgian
kati-yama 12k (never used don't know but it waas amoung your chooses)
i know escher will do the job but price is different.
hope this helps

Thanks for the reply. I think i will buy the norton because it is the one most people use with great results ( although i was hoping to save 50 bucks by buying the king stone) I am only looking for one finishing stone ( untill HAD sets in) would the couticle be the way to go or would a japanese fine grit waterstone give me a sharper edge.
thanks

I don't know about the sharpest edge but in general after the Norton 8K either the Coticule or a vintage Escher (if you can find one) will give you the best quality edge.

I have found some new Escher stones. are they comparable to the vintage ones. Are they equal to the coticle or mabey better? thanks

Norton and Kaiyama is all you really need if you prefer local pick-up. If you have an Escher already you only need the Norton and you are sorted!

Everything else you buy is about WANTING not NEED.

+1 to Kees My thoughts exactly