Thank you for this!

When I started a couple of years ago, I wanted to go a little crazy with hones, but my budget was not letting me. Even that I purchased a combo cuticle, bbw and a C12K(or PHIG, What ever you want to call it) and I wasn't happy with what I had. I then purchased a Norton 4/8 and wish I had just done that in the beginning. Now, I'm no pro and I'm learning more about honing as I go along, but I know enough to use a hone to have a shave ready razor, at least for me. I think a 4/8, as many suggest is a good start, as they're readily available and easier to learn on, at least in my opinion. After you are good on something basic like a 4/8 or as you suggest a barber hone, then you can move on to the cuticle, thuringian, or other natural stones, or on to the Shapton and other manufactured systems out there. At some point, I want to get into the natural stones, but I'm comfortable getting the most out of what I have first.

Edit: I also paid to much for a barber hone that has a lot of chips on it. I still don't use it, even though I still have it. LOL