I want to swim in the deep end with the big boys by that I mean I want to hone. I have had several people tell me don't do it at all or have someone else do. I love straight razing (love at first sight) I love my straight razors I want know and learn everything with straight razing. I know I know there is a thread about this but I have searched and could not find it. Thank you for taking the time to help me out.

I have done my homework with honing but now I am at stopping point because I not sure which one to buy. I know that choosing a hone means what do you want to do. Well I want to take my dull blades and make them ready to strop and shave. From what I know and read the best to start is the Norton 4k/8k. However, durning my search I found "Belgian Blue Whetstone" and the "Chinese 12k grit waterstone." Which I don't think I need the "Chinese 12k grit waterstone" though I may be wrong not sure. The "Belgian Blue Whetstone" I am seeing and reading all the razzle dazzle but I am not reading the meat so what is the meat? Oh I keep reading barber hone and quite frankly I am lost on those. Do I need a barber hone instead of a Norton?
Also if anyone knows a great deal on a Norton I would appreciate it. I am a college student and the Nortons I have seen have cost the same as my books! Once again thank you thank you for your time and for answering this probably for the millionth time.