My first razor took almost no effort to get back to shave ready....that was the confidence builder. The second, third, fourth, ....I thought there was something wrong with EACH razor. How could people make razors incorrectly....didn't they know what they were doing back then? ....Then I realized it was me.
I agree with mainaman up top there.....10 light passes, stop. Strop and shave a one inch patch of your cheek. Is it smooth? Yes...ok good. No....continue. 10 more light laps on the 16K. Stop. strop and shave test another one inch patch of your cheek. Smooth? yes...stop. No? Go to the 8K. Do 5 light passes on the 8K, and 5 on the 16K....how about now?
Start with your highest grit stone first, and use it to determine wether you need to drop into the heavier grits.