Amplex and Hand America honing paste

To All:
I was reading a review of edge setup and maintenance at Method Shaving. The author prefers starting the blade with a Norton 4K and 8K stone. He then moves on to the Hand America black diamond paste of 6 & 1.8. He finishes the blade with the chromium oxide .5 and Amplex .5 and .25.

My thoughts to this setup are the redundancy in the some and the paste. My understanding of setting up a blade is to use the stone or the paste that matches the condition of the blade. Moreover, if an 8k Norton and Amplex diamond paste #3 are similar in the abrasive and polishing nature, then why would someone use both. Is there a benefit to using paste and stones that are similar? Specifically, if one gets a good edge after the 8K stone, why would one go to a paste that is more abrasive than the blade would call for? I understand the pyramid process, but using the aforementioned method, seems to undo or redo what was previously achieved. Do I understand this correctly?

Essentially, I am trying to gain a better understanding of using sharpening paste. I recently purchased a four-sided strop from The Well Shaved Gentleman (fantastic product for the money and a pleasant person in which to do business), and I have found the paste to provide a much sharper edge with a lot less effort. Therefore, what would be the benefit to using both a stone and the paste?

Again, thank you all for the wonderful assistance. This site, and all of you, has made the transisition to the straight razor an enjoyable and educational experience. I have never looked forward to shaving as it used to leave my face quite red; however, I now check my face before bed to see if I can tidy up a bit. To think of all the cash I wasted on over priced cartridges. Finally, I have a shaved face that does not have the look of diaper rash.

Well, all you need is a 4000/8000 combination stone, grit wise. Pastes are used to further refine the edge. The benefit using them is none, but there might be a downside of rounding the edge. I get great results from just the Norton 4/8K stone. If you don't want to use paste, simply get finer stone. Belgian Coticule (8-12K), Chinese (12K) or Shapton Pro (15K).

well, the pyramid method is designed to prevent overhoning the razor, and slowly get it to shaving sharpness. So technicaly, you are not ruining a good 8000 edge, but you are slowly progressing to it...

Nenad

You understand correctly, there is some redundancy that would be obvious IF your were comfortable using the stone and getting the maximum from it. Given the ease of using a paste and the difficulty of using a stone, the author, is probably just replicating exactly the point of his last stone as this is the point he needs to start at. If you eliminate the 6, you'd be fine, assuming you used the 8k stone to its optimum effect.

Since we develop our habits and purchases early in the process he is probably just continuing to use the stuff and equipment he has learned to use.

I believe there are differences between using stones and pastes in edge creation/maintenance. Subtle differences, but differences none the less. Although there is redundancy, you wouldn't want to rely on the pastes alone. IMO!

Past the 6 he continues to use alot of grit steps. That is for simplicity and isn't really needed either. It simply makes the process easier.

I for example, use barber hones, others claim they are difficult to use. Its not a matter of correctness, its more a matter of matching the tool to your skills and personality.

Oh, the various .5 pastes do seem to have different cutting abilities, why I'm not sure. The water based seems to impregnate deeper into the material base and the dry oxide seems to ride on top and cut faster.

I have not seen any benefit in redundancy. I use a pyramid up to the 8000 and then go either to a 12000 chinese or a Belgian coticule. From there i use a 0.5 microm dry chrome oxide which is then followed by a 0.25 diamond(occasionally).
This has worked for me.
When I started ii stopped at the 8000 or else a fine barbers hone and shaved with that. It shaved just fine.

What you will find is that there are numerous tools that will get you where you want to go. Many ways to skin the cat.
Have fun experimenting!:)