I kinda found this site by accident when I watched a honing video of Lynn on you tube. No I wasn't looking for straight razor stuff but I found it big time. Anyway, I have shaved with a DE I don't know about 17 yrs now and was never happy with a disposable. I have always wanted to use a straight razor but until finding this site and stores online I didn't know where to begin. In looking at the online stores there is a huge amount of different razors to choose from makers, size, style, price and such. From what I have read so far which has been only a couple days a good general size is either 5/8, or 6/8. Makes are Dovo, TI, Boker, and a bunch of others with Dovo and TI being what I have seem the most on websites. So, my questions as a newbie are as follows. 1. What size would be good to start with 5/8 or 6/8 as far as balance and ease of learning to use handle properly? 2. Of the SR makers what model in either size would have the best balance, metal, and quality? 3. If you were to have only one new SR that cost less than $200 in a 5-8 or 6/8 what would it be?