From a beginners perspective and very little experience, I go up to a 12K Nani and finish on a Zulu Gray. That seems to give me and my honing technique more smoothness than stopping at the Nani 12K. As far as not feeling any tugging goes, I have never had a straight razor, DE blade or cart razor that I did not feel some very slight resistance to the stroke. I don't think you can eliminate that totally, close but no cigars. I try not to get too OCD about things and quit when it just works well enough.

Bob