I think a quick and effective plan of attack is to get a razor that has already been honed so that as you're learning and not getting the best shaves you won't be asking yourself, "crap, what's wrong? my honing? my shaving? I have no clue"

Shave first, hone later is my advice. Although I also like to read people's adventures too who try to learn to hone and shave at the same time. At least get one razor sharpened by a pro that you can fall back on just in case...

ByronT has an interesting story about the razor he tried to sharpen himself and then shave with it. That's the kind of adventure I like to read about!

Good luck!

PS yes, you need a strop too, you will have to do your own stropping before / after each shave