Most forgiving and easy to hone by my experience are Swedes like Heljestrand or E.A. Berg, hollow ground. Buy one and see if you like it. If so ask someone to put ram horns scales on it. If not you would be able to sell it for about the same price you bought it if you looked after it well.
Forgivingness and ease of honing are very user-dependent. For shaping I would recommend 5/8 or 6/8 blade, not larger.