I just ordered my first straight (a restored Germania Cutlery model) and it's on its way as we speak. I'm still in the market for a strop (Tony Miller's practice strop looks like a winner but his site is currently closed). I've been a DE shaver for several months now so I already own all of the other required equipment. I just thought I would check in on this forum and say hello. I want to try straight-razor shaving because I'm a traditional kind of guy and I want to try to recapture a bit of the past tradition. Plus, the word on the street is that I can get a closer shave with straight shaving than any other way, which I'm always interested in. If anyone has any tips or advice, send them my way. I'm looking forward to my first straight shave and becoming a more active member of this forum.