Greetings,

I'm so glad that y'all exist. I've decided to take the SR plunge, for at least a portion of my shaving. I've been wet shaving with a DE safety razor (merkur heavyweight) for a couple of months now and will never go back to cartridges or electrics. However, I wear a beard or goatee (I change annually) and it is really hard to shape and trim around it with a safety razor, cartridge or electric. Anyway, my barber turned me onto straight razor shaving as a great way of really getting in close to the bearded areas. My plan is to contiinue to use the double edge every other day or at least until I run out of blades--I've got over 100 of them (I change it every shave) and use the the SR on the off days (for shaping and shaving) once I get used to the feel of using one. I'm goateed now so I can practice on my cheeks.

Anyway, I purchased (strictly to practice stropping and honing--I did some research beforehand) a cheapo no-name razor/strop combo from ebay and have on order a german forged razor (used) on the way to use (once it's honed and all) for my purposes.

Anyway, I was wondering on any suggestions for a newb such as myself. In particular, does my plan sound reasonable and what should I look for in a strop? BTW, I've tried a Shavette style razor, and didn't like the weight of it (too light). Also, will a set of medium and fine Arkansas stones work for honing?