I have the beginnings of a small knife http://news.webshots.com/album/570403638LfUDBS?start=12 collection which I am going to persue as a hobby. I've been bitten by the bug.

I am also going to get into straght razors. I just bought my first one on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=390035987913 . I may have paid too much but we'll see when it gets here. I have no idea of what exactly I bought. It just looked good so I grabbed it.

Can you collectors give me an idea of what to look for and what to avoid. A top ten list of do's and don'ts would be very useful. I also want to learn to shave with a straight razor and avoid as much bloodshed as possible.

I don't want to end up with loads of rubbish so I need to know the best collectable makes and what gives them their "wow" factor, also, should I buy a new strop or go for one with character?

Thanks in anticipation of a deluge of information.