In the Age of the Straight I highly doubt there were many hobby shavers who prided themselves on knowing everything there is to know about straight razors. It was simply shaving. Most guys had only one or two razors, one strop, one brush. Many may not have even owned a single razor hone, as it was popular for your trusty barber to touch up your razor for you. So there probably wasn't as much thought being put into the entire process.

I would guess that we know more now. As experienced? Perhaps not.