I got one of the last Honemaster hones from Tilly several months ago. This hone looked somewhat shinny on the surface but when honing you could tell right away that it had the feel / drag of a intermediate or medium grit hone. I used sandpaper starting with 800 grit working all the way up to 1500 grit on a piece of glass to get a real slick feeling finish. I only use this hone wet, either with water or lather. It works so well that I am in no hurry too go out and buy a 4k/8k Norton. I have done this with a Swaty as well with good results, but think the Honemaster is the far superior hone.

Glen