I learned to hone almost immediately as my RAD was bad right at the start. Followed by HAD, SAD(strops), BAD and SAD(soap) at the same time and ongoing bouts of RAD. Almost all my razors are ebay purchases. I did have a mentor (2nd generation barber old school style) though so I would take it to him and if not right would go home do it again and take it back. In the end it wasn't long before I could match his edges consistently.