Hey everybody. After a couple years of wanting to get a straight razor, I'm finally ready to join the club; however, I'm a college kid so I'm kind of on a budget. I was thinking of picking up either a Dovo Imitation Tortoise Shell, 6/8" Carbon Steel razor or one of these from altima55 on eBay:

J. A. HENCKELS STRAIGHT RAZOR - COMES SHAVE READY - eBay (item 150266346179 end time Jul-11-08 17:00:00 PDT)

GERMAN FERD HERRFRZ STRAIGHT RAZOR - COMES SHAVE READY - eBay (item 150266360014 end time Jul-11-08 17:30:00 PDT)

dubl duck GOLDEDGE STRAIGHT RAZOR - COMES SHAVE READY - eBay (item 150266367146 end time Jul-11-08 18:00:00 PDT)




So I was wondering...
  1. Would any of these four make a good choice for my first razor?
  2. Do razor from altima55 really come shave ready?
  3. What would be a good choice for a strop? (I was thinking one from The Well Shaved Gentleman.)
  4. Should I get a hone right away or could I wait?
I think that covers my questions for now, but if I have any more, I'll let ya know.


Thanks,
Nick