Good starting products

Hey guys!

First time posting, so first off whats up!

I own a Dovo Shavette and have been using that to fine tune my skills with a razor until I upgrade to a full on straight razor, I am just about out of my Merkur razors so I am looking to make the big financial upgrade. My question is, what is a good "set" of companies for a beginner, should I use 5/8 round or straight, $30 strop or shell out for a better strop, what is a good grit sand stone, pre shave/post shave, shaving cream ect. I have like a million websites to purchase from, there is just SO many different varieties, just trying to figure out where a good starting point for products is.

Thanks in advance guys!
Victor Slater
USMC

I gave you this information for one simple reason: SRD doesn't sell any junk and they are about as affordable as any other place & more affordable than many. You could put yourself together a shaving kit if you wish: a shave ready vintage razor from the classified's, a filly strop from www.ruprazor.com, a badger brush from the classified's or where ever, and then a quality shave soap like proraso (good middle of the road shave soap)

There are quite a few online vendors that sell some less than desirable razors.
Purchasing straight razors - Straight Razor Place Library
This pretty much says it all.