I get quite a lot of noise when I strop, more so from some razors (full hollow) than others. It's the TYPE of noise that's important; I won't try to explain what I know to be 'bad' noise.

I'd actually go against the grain so to speak here and say that if it was me, I'd get a Shapton 16k and do 10 very light very careful laps on that. First, though, I'd find out if it was honed using tape. I know that sounds radical, and I'm no expert, but honing isn't all THAT hard; it's quite achievable. You might find that 10 laps on the Shapton 16k brings it back fine. That's how I usually bring my razors back, so to speak. I've never sent a razor to anyone to be honed (started SR shaving in June '11) and I'm quite proud of that fact really. Of course, I can't change the oil in my car or fix a cupboard door, but I can hone reasonably well... Just my opinion.