Welcome to the forum, Duke. I'm a bit of a hone-junky (nothing like Nenad, Randy and the rest of the truly good ones, but still) so I've tried a few and here are my impressions.
1) If you want to hone, get the Norton 4/8k 2". Yes, TWO inches. It will give you more consistent wear on the blade. I'll probably get a 2" and sell my 3".
2) Japanese stones are ok for touchup honing but they are HORRIBLE for restoration work, as they cut very slowly.
3) Get your first blade from one of the members here so you have a sharpness standard for your own honing. They will indicate if it's shave-ready. Don't shave much with it until you figure out the proper way to hone your oldies and just use it for comparison. Bill Ellis has some great pieces in various price-ranges at http://www.billysblades.com/Straights.htm 4) Do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy new razors unless they're DOVO, Thiers-Issard or custom pieces from Bill or the Maestro. Ask here before you buy.

Here's why you will save yourself some frustration/scarring (personal experience lol):
1) Norton is the easiest hone to work with and gives consistent great results.
2) Using a slow cutter to restore a blade is a sure-fire way to get arthritis. However, they will be easier on your blades once it just needs touching up.
3) Self-explanatory.. You need to know what a proper shaving edge is before you try to create one on your own. Ties into #4...
4) I'm trying to help you avoid buying Pakistani ebay razors, made of junk steel that will NEVER take a proper shaving edge. I have a few scars to prove it.
Good luck and enjoy!