Hi Glen, welcome to SRP. If you haven't already accessed it here is the SRP Wiki with the beginner's guide and the tutorial on the first straight razor shave by SRP founder Lynn Abrams. I guess it is needless to say that if you are going to use the razor you now have it should be professionally honed. If you are buying something new it should be shave ready as well. If you could post a photo of the blade of the one you have we could tell you if it is in a good enough condition to warrant investing in honing.