Hone to replace Norton 4k
I've been honing for a while now, and while I've only managed to get 3 or 4 razors to the point where they will shave me (I'm not quite happy with any of them yet), I think I may be starting to get the hang of it.
My problem lies in the feel of the Norton 4k. It feels gritty, and I just hate honing on it. While it instantly shows up any flaws in my technique (You feel like you're trying to cut throgh a brick if you tilt the razor a tiny bit off), and I may see the merit of it as a training tool from that point of view, it just isn't nice to hone on. I don't like it.
The Norton 8k feels velvety smooth, and seems to suck the blade to the hone ever so slightly. I get to like the 8k more every time I use it.
My coticule with slurry, I also love. While I can feel the garnets cutting, it doesn't feel rough. And the slurry seems to either be quite forgiving of an imperfect stroke, or actually tend to correct your stroke by a bit of suction or magic, I'm not sure which yet.
I don't actually like my coticule with water so much as it is a bit more like honing on glass, I like my Thuringian I got from Kees more for finishing with water.
I also dislike the lack of feedback from my spyderco medium and fine hones but I'm getting used to them a bit more.
Now, after what turned out to be a mega rant on rocks, I think I want to replace my Norton 4k. Given that the feel of the hone is my primary concern, and I can't discern that from any literature or what have you, I thought I'd ask you guys for some suggestions. I want to get a 1k hone as well, as I currently only have my coticule for setting bevels.
I've been thinking about the Shapton Pros and the Naniwa Chosera hones. What do you guys think?
Connor