I wet my finger and rub the stone. It should feel smooth, like glass. I assume that it is a hone. That probably sounds funny but I've come across a few rocks that were so smooth I wasn't really sure.

I hone the razor using the same technique all the time, it's the evaluation of the edge that is important to me. I stay patient and try, above all else not to tear into the edge with a 4k or lower. If I do I refer to this as a "failure drill". At that point I evaluate the spine geometry and the bevel edge to see what's wrong.

In my opinion, if 6 strokes on an 8k don't produce instant results, there is a bevel geometry problem. That does not mean that I should hone the crap out of it with slurry or a lower grit. It is more productive to find and fix the problem.

I don't typically use or develop a slurry, but if I use a slurry, I progress from heavy slurry to no slurry. I work toward lighter slurry, then no slurry at all, in a slow progression.

I think that the principles of honing apply no matter what stone I'm using.