I bought a shavette off amazon to start with because I checked around and saw that most of the "economy" str8s started around $70 and I didn't have the money to invest at the time. I had already been shaving with it for a while before I started checking out the forum. I just wish I had done a little more research before I started. I figure I'm still on the learning curve and do get nicked here and there but I'm not going to worry too much about it. I know that when I go to using the "real deal" the transition should be pretty smooth. I've picked up some str8s off e-bay and I've been using one that doesn't have much of an edge to practice stropping with so that hopefully I can keep from cutting my stop in 1/2 once I get going with a truly shave ready blade. I'd say ditto to what most everybody has already said especially about keeping a light touch. My first shave using the shavette wasn't too bad, couple nicks etc... but when I got done I could definately tell I had used too much pressure (especially when I went at it with the alum block,YIKES). No matter what you do just take your time, it'll come. The best part is that there's a group of people out there (SRP) who are more than happy to help mentor you on your journey.

These are exactley some of my thoughts....figure that....Im just not ready to drop big money on the real deal and since this is what my first barber experience used on me (and I loved it) I figure its good enough for me...certainly easier on the billfold before the read RAD kicks in...now tell me more about the alum block...I've read alot about them but am still not clear on what they are, what they are for, and where to get them at, much less how to properly use it.

Thanks for all the help. Its Friday folks keep em coming