Just my two cents here.

The best overall hone for the beginner is probably the 3".
That being said I have found that narrower hones definitely have their place in a persons honing tool kit. The size I like the best for a blade with a smile or warping or an uneven spine is approx1 1/4" or 1 1/2". I also vastly prefer single grit hones that are 1" thick or more for the same uses.