I get down to Washington quite a bit and Stephens City VA is not that awful far away. Maybe I could "swing by" sometime to talk about Honing. This is important because I am at the stage in Straight Razor Shaving that if I don't start achieving a comfortable shave I don't see the point in continuing this species of torture. A professional barber took one look at my beard and said it was very tough and therefore I really needed a "shave ready" blade which requires professional honing. So what love to speak with someone who knows what they are doing. Thanks for your help.