The old hones still work, but they're just not as consistent or as fast as the modern synthetic waterstones and diamond pastes. They had arkansas stones back then, and the translucent arkansas stone will definitely get a razor shaving sharp. But it's slower than a norton; I use my norton to get the initial edge, then use the arkansas after that.

My great grandfather had a hanging strop and a board with green paint on it, accd to relatives. I've heard that at least some green paint back then was colored with chromium oxide. He also got his razors sharpened by barbers, and tinkers would also come around and do sharpening on razors (as well as scissors, knives, saws etc).