Once again, this community is great! I greatly appreciate all of your contributions and advice. I've decided that I'm going to by a couple (hey there's always room for comparision) of barber hones from ebay and as I get comfortable/uncomfortable with my ability to use those, then I will acquire one of the 12k stones out there on the market. Inevitably in the future, I will venture down the renovation road and will be excited for all of your input. Thank you all.

From Africa.