Well,

I would like to start off by saying im SO SO glad i found your site. Seems like there are some great people and a vast knowledge base. I have shaved with a straight razor on and off for like 6 years. My main achilles heel has always been rust, honing, strop. After much searching and YouTube of all places. I belive im going to purchase

DOVO "Bergischer Lowe" Straight Razor, 5/8
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/190248.htm

Im gonna have it Honed by Lynn and im very excited about it, since i havent been able to do this process myself. Never knew you couldnt shave straight out of the box until i found this site. Because im currently doing a travel job, i dont have any of my older razors to mess around with. My BIG question is, im in New York and they have alot of those Art of Shaving shops up here. As far as proper stropping, is it possible to just do it on your own, like watching video's, or should i do the overpriced thing of buying from the shop so i can get a one on one with their barbers? Im thining about buying an Illinois #827 Strop. Is this a good purchase, or are there others that you would suggest.

Also the rust issue. I had been putting TuffGlide on my blades and they still seemed to rust a bit. Ive read other posts stating to put mineral oil. I was basically coating any metal with TuffGlide. I usually shave every other day if not every 3rd day. i would still have some issues with rusting on my Dovo's. I was storing the blades in the plastic case that came with them, and think that might have been the culprit.

I have so much to talk about, and i think im rambling a bit. So thanks to you all for a great site, and any info on my issues would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Isaac