Hello to Newfoundland from Ontario.

Congratulations for starting your straight shaving journey.

Was it a new razor that was made shave ready by whoever you bought it from, they're not shave ready from the factory whatever it says on the box.

Although it not completely impossible, I would learn to shave comfortably before trying to hone. You need to recognize a sharp razor before trying to produce one

A strop is your best friend so concentrate on getting that right, it will do wonders for you edge.

I would go to the BST thread and buy a cheap razor, if a seller here says a razor he's selling is shave ready you can bet your house it will be.

Then send your first razor to one of the guys here that can put a laser edge on it so you learn what a truly sharp razor is. Then you will know what your aiming for on the hones.

Honing is very useful and definitely worth learning but you really cant put the cart before the horse, learn to shave, learn what a sharp razor is then worry about making one yourself later.

Just out of interest, what hones do you have?