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Yul,
Basically yes, but many methods work as pointed out. We each have a different path here and each started with varying degrees of sucess on doifferent tools.

One can get a shave ready edge...

The 0.5 side will be finer than the coticule though which is closer to 1.0. Once fully equiped you would use the Norton first (when needed) then the coticle (more often) and finally the 0.5 paste...

There were actually many vintage barber strops made with a "sharpening" (pasted) side and a "finishing" (plain) side. of course they used them dozens of times a day and perfected their skills.
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Both methods work well, some of us prefer one over the other, some use both on different razors, some use both on the same razor.


Pastes work best on a hard surface like a paddle or bench hone...