the only time i lost keenes and just slightly is when honing on just slurry, may be a little dense. all thought the edge was muchh softer against my skin. going from light slurry diluted to water works fine , and finishing on a very very light slurry worked . i found just finishing on water also does the job. i did lots of laps on water and found the edge to crispy smooth for me , after 8k if your razor is shaving at that level then i'm sure 10 to 30 laps on water would not loose keeness. you should be able to finish after 8k no problem with any natural or 12k manamade . i did this a thew times coming of 8k norton, it should and does work. i'm still unsure weather slurry finishing or water finishing on my escher. which one works best . water on coticule works great so i'm going with water on escher to finish, but keeping it at 10 to 30 laps