Picked up some lapping paper from Fiberoptics4sale, a granite surface plate from woodcraft (had a store close by). What you see in the pic is a mix of grits, 30, 15, 9, 5, 3, 1 and .3 microns. The sheets are 9x13 so I can get 4 sheets a little over 3" wide by 9" long. These fit the 9"wide granite perfectly. The blue ruler is a paper cutter I have. Used it to cut the lapping paper. Fiberoptics4sale shipped the paper flat in a box, which is good, each grit in its own zip lock bag, nice.

I would say that lapping paper is the easiest way to start honing. I will probably get some stones, but for now I can practice my technique fairly cheaply on lapping paper. When using a surface plate make sure it is clean before putting the paper down. If it isn't completely clean you will really notice it when honing on the finer grits. Putting some water down on the surface then laying the paper down will hold the paper in place a lot better. I also put down water when honing.

Took the Boker I have and progressed from 30 down to .3 doing 5 to 12 laps on each paper followed by 20 laps on a strop, my practice strop from RR. Did a test by pulling it across my arm hairs without touching skin. Wow, it actually cut the hairs! Now how does it shave..... Sunday is shaving day so will follow up then.