My actual first razor was my grandfathers. However, it was not the first I shaved with. My second was a cheap Pakistani blade I picked up to carry in my haversack. Never used it. I bought it to have something to talk with visitors yet and never thought about actually shaving there.

I've only been shaving with a straight for 1 month now. The razor I'm learning with and strop were found on a small vintage site about 1 week before I found this site. The razor is a restored Smith Brothers 4/8 with black scales and a new black leather case. The strop was made by the restorer and is black leather almost 3 inches wide with a brass piece to hang it on the wall and a leather handle --(all for $40). It was advertised as shave ready and as far as I know it was, at least it works. I found a Boss razor hone and made a scuttle out of a soup bowl I wasn't using and stainless steel 1 cup measure. The brush is a VDH Boar bristle from Walgreens and soap is VDH from Walmart, glycerin and styptic pencil from Walmart as well. Haven't needed bandaids yet.

I do civil war reenactments and Smith Bros was around in 1860 so this will fit perfectly. I just need to find a mirror I can use in the field and then I'm set. For now though it works great in the bathroom. Oh, I have nicked the strap already and repaired it a couple of times... I've nicked my neck and face too, but they repair themselves...