Welcome aboard Zeke. I've been getting some excellent shaves only using the Norton 4k/8k, but I will be using abrasive pastes for the finishing touches soon. If your stone is an oil-stone, that's what you have to use with it. My suggestion is to get some mineral oil from the pharmacy. A bottle will cost you $2 and it will be great for your hone, for preserving any carbon steel items that you have, oiling hinges, oiling machinery and a few other things (even as a laxative lol). As I have no experience with AK-stones I won't say much more about it. Good luck and enjoy!