Hi Guys,

First some assumptions: razor is either a NIB high end TI or similar; or a newly acquired used razor in good but not shave ready condition - blade edge not damaged. A tony Miller 2 sided strop with 1.0 & .5 micron diamond paste.

I'm about to commit to doing my own honing and have pretty much decided on a Norton waterstone. With the above taken into consideration do I need a combo 4/8 Norton or would a single Norton be good enough? If so, which should I get, the 4K or the 8K? Also, how many strokes on the Norton is usually enough to be followed by the pasted strop? My goal is to get the above razors shave ready. Thanks.

Duke