Noob question about sanding

Hello, I'm Maolo, 22, noob here, Med student from Italy, reptiles, and blades lover, and book addicted

So, here we are...I've got this old straight, bought for about 10€ in an antique shop. I wanted to practice before buying something of value that needs restoration and found this. Unfortunateli I've got no camera, so i found some pics on the internet of a razor almost in the same conditions, the question is: if I proceed an handsand the blade will the hetching be ruined frever? I'ts an old plain barber razor, no value at all, but it's my first one, so i'm sort of fond of it, you know and don't want to ruin it more.
Here's the "reference sample", unfortunately mine is no monkey-tail and no french point, anyway...

There is a balance that has to occur between keeping etch and polishing the blade,,,,
Most of the older English blades fortunately were pretty deeply stamped/etched/engraved so you can take quite a bit of metal off before losing it...

But the simple fact remains if the pitting goes deeper than the etch then you have to chose one or the other...

ps:I normally start handsanding at 400 grit and then decide whether I can clean it up from there or if I am going to need to go lower in grit...

Do you normally wet sand or dry sand with your 400 grit?

I tried this (very "personal"):

1_ dry: #400 > #500 > #600 > #800
2_ wet: #800 > #1200 > #2000
3_ oil: #2000
4_ solid soap: #2000 (handsand the soap before)
4_ ready for something like "Maas"

It works.