I think the finer hones are very worthwhile and I like them much better than finishing with a pasted strop, although finishing with a pasted strop is easier. With a Coticule (expensive), Chinese 12000+ grit waterstone from Woodcraft.com (29.95) or a quality fine finishing barber hone ($10.00 + up on Ebay), a very good shaving edge can be produced and you sound like you have the skill necessary to get the most out of it, so I'd encourage you to try the finer hones.

Everyone has to do some experimentation on their own because it's impossible to know what the next guy's "great shave" or "lousy shave" actually felt like. It's all too subjective and measured on different scales of experience.