If I were starting out again I would use the following

1. 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove nicks and old oxidized steel.
This is the one of the fastest and least expensive methods.

2. Norton 4000 to establish a bevel. This is a very fast cutting stone that has proven itself for years.

3. Shapton Glass 8000. I use a Norton 8000 but it is one of the old ones. The new Norton 8000 is not to my liking. I tried the Shapton Glass 8000 and liked it a lot.

4. Chrome oxide, 0.5 micron on a paddle strop for finishing an edge.
I have used this for several years and found it to be more to my liking than any of the other pastes.

Coticules, Eschers, Ch12K, Arkansas, etc can wait for later.


Just my $.02,