I started out with 4: 2 new and 2 pre-owned-Dovo Best Quality and Blackstar in 5/8, Boker King Cutter and Torrey Razor Co in 5/8. In truth, I've only used both Dovo's twice as I wanted to maintain their edge and more importantly to serve as benchmark for honing.
I'm glad I found out sooner that anything beyond 6/8 won't work for me or at least would be cumbersome. Thank God for auctions. Give me a Japanese or a any western straight that isn't 7/8 or more and I'm good to go.