As a fellow new-comer, I have to agree with the comments left here by the experts. I purchased a shave ready razor from SRD, stropped it, which was a bit tricker then I imagined, and got a very close, comfortable shave.
Although I really like a challenge, and have had experience sharpening tools, I had never experienced a true shave ready straight razor. That being said, I thought it would be difficult to produce a shave ready razor by honing my own.
Now that I have a shave ready razor, I can spend some time, perfecting my shaving and prep techniques, that way I know what a comfortable shave feels like. Then when the time comes, and I decide to have a crack at honing my own blade I will be armed with two very important facts
1.) what does a shave ready razor look/feel like
2.) what does a close, comfortable shave feel like
Whatever you decide to do, have fun with it. And welcome to straight razor shaving.
Dave