Am Hone Co - advice

[gersh]

Hey, all. Have been straight razor shaving semi-regularly for about a year, and razor is needing a touch up. Haven't honed any razors yet--- just my kitchen knives. I have an old barber's hone that I just inherited (along with a Marshall Wells Barber's Prince 5/8 that I haven't really looked at yet).

I know it's American Hone Company, but no clue on whether it's in good enough condition to use. The dark side looks crazed, but feel smooth to the touch. Also not sure which side to use first. I've seen others that seem to have a much lighter reddish side to finish on, but mine is engraved upside down from those, and seems to be different hues. (This is a medium dark red on bottom, and dark gray on top, if the writing is right side up-- where others have been lightish red on top, and medium gray on bottom.)



Thanks in advance,
Gersh