First a list of the stones I already have and use.Tell us your order!
800 chosera
4k/8k Norton
6" x 2" convexed coticule
6" x 2" Surgical Black Arkansas
210mm x 700mm x 100mm naniwa 12k
DMT combo red/blue
I have found the 800 chosera to be a good fast cutting stone, but it takes forever to hone the striations out with the Norton combo.
The Norton combo is a great stone, but needs constant dressing by the DMT. I can get a nice comfortable edge from the 8k side, it only takes a few thousand laps.
I could never get a shave-ready edge from the coticule, so I convexed it. Now it will set a bevel you can shave off.
The naniwa 12k is just too finicky.
Oh, I can get a fantastic wicked sharp edge, and the stone is fast. But it's listing as being a splash and go is a fantasy tale.
If you only get one side wet it bows over 25mm in the center. It also loads up faster than the Norton. I soak it and use it under running water because you never know which way it is going to bow.
Hopefully the new arks Dan's is going to set me up with will be a really nice progression along with the Surgical Black that I already have.
An 8 x 2 x 1/2 Translucent Ark $130.72
An 8 x 2 x 1/2 Hard Ark $36.97
An 8 x 2 x 1/2 Soft Ark $29.51
3 oz Honing Oil $4.09
With 10% discount and $9.95 shipping it comes out to $191.11 total.