Hello. been semi-introduced to this forum by Makar via another forum, and i've been bitten by the straight razor bug!

I'm a complete novice to everything about straights, and so need a lot of advice, if you lot would be so kind.

I'm currently using either a gillete fusion, or a phillips HS8060 (it hink) electric coolskin jobby, and am dissatisfied with both. the phillips isnt close enough, and the fusion irritates me horribly.

My main problem regarding switching to straights is my budget, i'm on an apprenticeship and so have very little money. my budget for most of the 'shaving kit', including razor, brush, soap/cream, alum block/styptic pencil etc is probably about £50/60, or around $100/120 US.

As for a strop, i can make myself one of those quite easily, i have some leather and some flat blocks of wood which will do fine.

So, my question to you, frequenters of SRP, is what straight would be best for someone with no experience at all, and even less money?

Also, would i be better with an alum block, or a styptic pencil? as far as i can tell, they do the same thing, but which is better/easier to use?

Thanks in advance, Tink.