I'm in awe of this place! What great folks!
I'm also quite new to this and found starting with a (Lynn) honed first blade really helped set a baseline. ALL of the prior advice sounds great. To add to Howard's comment on seeing your honing work I found a $20 flip-down magnifier extremely helpful. I DO use reading glasses, so that may be part of it, but seeing what you're doing is key. I also use a jeweler's loupe (sp?) when I hone.

I also don't hear so good any more...

Huh?

kingping