Bram are you saying Ardennes Coticule sold you a stone with sawmarks in the working surface?
metsie, I started with an old razor and no stone. The previous owner had died and had been "shaving with a straight". Apparently i got the razor he wasn't using. It pulled. I put it down.
Later I bought Norton kit for my Japanese cutlery.
Then, at some point in time, I thought to put my razor on those rocks 1/4/8. WORKED!!! a little better, still not real good (i was learning to SR shave too). So i bought some more razors-old and cheap but in great condition. THOSE razors honed right up and I've been HOOKED ever since.
Also about then a retired barber gave me a Coticule. It took Glen's vids to teach me proper use of Coti. I'm a student of the GSSIXGUN school of honing.
AS YOU GET better at SHAVING, you'll learn much more about the edges you develop in honing. Each SHAVE teaches you better what is required to prep the beard and how to approach each section of your face. Each shave also educates your skin as to what is sharp and what is smooth. Your hands get educated too.
TOUCH/PRESSURE is
EVERYTHING
in shaving -and- honing.
All the resources for learning are laid out before you. Enjoy the ride.
You'll never forget the day, the shave, when you first get an edge velvet buttery smooth. Don't rush it.