What Jimbo said. I didn't send one of my razors to get honed either when I started but I did buy a shave ready razor which was honed by one of the honemeisters Bill Ellis at http://www.billysblades.com/ . This gave me a good reference point and then I did have a go at it myself. haven't looked back since and 15 razors later, still doing great. Good luck and enjoy your new morning ritual.
Ernest