If you intend to spend time with hones then invest in a jewellers loupe - you really need to see whre you are starting from and how things are progressing.
The post above where the razor went from blunt to sharp very quickly probably means that not a lot was required. If you can see that from the start and recognise the difference from a blade that requires a bevel set, your understanding will increase enormously.
A reasonable quality triplet is well worth the money - with a light even better.
My experience of coticules must be way different to Mike's if he considers that a 1K and a coticule both cut at the same speed - try it yourself and let us know whether the King is faster for you.
