So what the heck eh.

I am so new that I haven't a clue but I am going to try honing. After reading everything it looks like I can't go wrong with a Norton 4k/8k and a Shapton 16k. Or perhaps 3 Shaptons all around?
I also am going to get a microscope to see what i am doing. I figure if it looks good under magnification I might actually succeed in this endeavor.
To me lapping the stones looks easiest with the "sandpaper on the table" video I saw.
I hope I am on the right track. I have wondered from day one though that when you hone and you have the entire razor on the stone why doesn't the blade get all dull looking on a wedge. I assume the spine must take a bit of a beating after while?

There's not a razor I hone without inspecting the edge with my stereo scope, but if you 'd ask me to let go of one of my methods for assessing an edge, that would be the use of magnification.
Magnification is good to inspect for microchips and a possible burr (also called "wire edge"), but it 'll tell you next to nothing about the sharpness of a cutting edge.

The choice of hones depends largely on your particular sympathies for a certain line of hones.
Many experienced member here use a Norton 4/8000, so a lot of people can offer advice about its use, which is an advantage. If you plan on using the pyramid way to honing, go with the Norton, although I'm sure it can also be used without doing pyramids.

If you plan on following the progressive way to honing, any set of coarse to fine hones will do, and my strong advice is to watch Heavydutysg135 video series about honing.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...eo-series.html

Good luck,
Bart.