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It depends on your hair type but I have thick dark hair and I wont progress past the 8k level if I can't cut arm hair mid length without any resistance.

If the hair is cut mid length after 8000...

If you are getting any pulling at all after the 8k nortonis then you should've done more on the 8k norton.
Strop on leather and test shave after the 8k level and test shave, if not a great result...