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"Let's get scientific here and figure this out."

Gee, it's such a novel idea to use a coticule after an 8k...
:roflmao

The reason that "they all work" is because you can get a perfectly good shave from a hone in the equivalent range of 8k or higher.

It really just does not work that way. You cannot identify the grit equivalence of a hone by touch. I have tried out many hones that FEEL glassy smooth yet still will chew up an edge.

The grit size of a synthetic hone is identified by the size of the particles put into the hone. The size of "grit" in a natural stone is random, and it can vary in size, character, concentration,...

Maybe more confusing, but definitely more accurate.
:)

For historical relevance, and a bit of entertainment, HERE is the original thread.

I don't know if it is still the case, but it used to seem that the best option for getting better ones was to get it at Woodcraft, where they are listed as Natural Water Stones.