Quote Originally Posted by LawsonStone View Post
Naturally I won't question your experience. Everyone agrees you ought to be able to shave off the 8K before moving to finish hones. But I was not talking about going from bevel-setting upwards, but rather from shave ready to "tired" etc.

Also, maybe you're missing something. I know of no professional honemeisters who stop with the 8K. Nearly all have one or more hones, films, or pastes up in the 10-12K range, many go farther.

8K makes the razor sharp, but most don't find it smooth. Also, if a razor has been finished on 12K or more (most hand-honed razors have) then dropping to the 8K potentially alters the razor more than you want just for a touch-up.

But then I'm still learning. I have tried for weeks to get the 8K + stropping both sharp and smooth. I got sharp, I couldn't get smooth. The 12K knocked it out of the park for me.

Mileage varies, of course!
I wouldn't like to give advice in this area because I only have a couple of hones, and because I'm not a professional - I only hone my own razors. However, I do get a nice edge off my coticule. It's not as smooth as a 12/30k but lately I prefer it more. For me, the way is with soap. I really load the coti up with it. Simple hand soap. Start with your shave ready razor, use a little weight and after about 35 - 50 strokes the lather starts pulling the blade into the stone so you don't need any pressure. I do another 35 - 50 like this and then start adding a few drops of water. I do another 35 - 50 like this and then maybe use a pasted strop. Give it a try - you'll find the soap helps the razor glide over the surface so it leaves a smoother finish than just water. (I might be wrong there as I don't have a microscope to check the edge).

Cheers,