Ben Hogan APEX plus irons

[El Mucho]

I ordered a used set of Ben Hogan APEX plus irons (3 - EW) last week. I've read a lot of positive reviews of these clubs and I have wanted to move on from my game improvement irons I'm currently using (CG golds).

I received them today and they look like they are are in pretty solid condition, shafts look good, scratch marks and general wear on the club head but overall pretty great. The 7 and 8 iron are in the worst condition but I think that's likely expected. Each has a smallish nick in the sole like a stone was hit or something. Overall I'm pretty pleased with the condition for what I spent ($130 CAD, shipped).

I'm about a 17 handicap, haven't really been tracking all that much in the last year. I guess my biggest concern is that I will be hacking these things around the course. Anyone have any experience playing these clubs at around my level?

On a side note, does anyone have any experience with polishing up old clubs i.e. re-painting the lettering, maybe smoothing and polishing some of the nicks and scratches. I love the look of the clubs and I'd like to get them as good as possible and I plan for these to be my long term irons.