Thanks, I am glad that I am on the right track. There is very little information on grit of these stones, only someone with a good deal of experience, not me, could tell you what the grit "feels like".I got good results from a King 6k to a pasted strop, so I don't think that the barber hone will hurt anything.
As they say, proof is in the puddy, if it shaves then it is good for you. Honeing is quite nuananced, I am still learning. I guess a barber had to shave a variety of people off a barbers hone so it must give a OK shave. I find that I shave better with a smaller razor, half inch, than a bigger one. I am not sure why that is, maybe the bigger ones are less flexible or maybe it is just lack of experience. I find that I can hone the Wade and Butcher better than the German ones or the US ones. Not that it is a question of quality, just my ability to hone.There are a good many barber hones that will better a 6k hone when used in a progression.
Like I said, try it after the 6k. Bring your edge to 6k then test shave, do a few laps on the barber hone and test again.
As Gamma has said, many are degraded from age, heat, soap and u.v light but so long as its in good form give them a go.
Yes, I think I will follow this routine and only use more aggressive hones if I am getting poor results. I settled on one razor to use instead of switching and I think that is helping we get a better feel for things.I keep a Franz swaty in my bathroom for touch ups. One of my razors has only been used on the swaty and a strop for years and it shaves wonderfully.
That and a strop is honestly all you need...forever.
Yes I'd stick with one razor so you get used to the blade and the angle.Yes, I think I will follow this routine and only use more aggressive hones if I am getting poor results. I settled on one razor to use instead of switching and I think that is helping we get a better feel for things.