onimaru... you present a really valid point. I really need to see the blade to decide what I want to do. if its really frowning badly, then I'll need to go after it with a 1k stone, and I'll either need cough up the cash for the full size stones (which I realize in time i'll need anyway), or save a penny now and deal with the shorter stones (though I'd really need to hold the blade to truly think if a smaller size stone will get the job done).

hopefully it just can be done with some long work on the 4k, then a hop up to 8k, then newspaper, then laping. its just the price difference between going full size or miniature size is over 100 dollars.

though if you've done it and know for a fact that the stones are too small, then I'll take your word and wont waste my money.