Let us not forget that synthetics also have some variation in the particle size.

I have never tried legions of laps on crox or newspaper. I like the edges from the stones I use. The reason I continue past 8000 is simple: to make it sharper.

I can see that it is getting sharper because every stone I use removes metal which is visible on the surface. coticule and J-nat. I don't have all that many options so there is no time wasted wondering or comparing