Hello everyone.

This is my first post here, sorry go easy on me!
I’ve recently started using a Straight razor and I’m hooked! I currently own two razors, a Dovo Bismarck and a Classic (from Invisible Edge), together with a few different types of creams etc and a Dovo strop 2”ish.
I’ve done a fair amount of research, but I’m still very much the noob!
I’m probably going to spend a lot of time on this forum as I seem to have more and more questions as I learn the skill of straight razor shaving.
The first question I have, which I’m fairly sure everyone asks when starting out, and I’m also sure that there probably isn’t a easy answer.
Here goes….I’ve been stropping my razors before and after shaves, and seem to get on ok with it. The hair test seems to be successful after each visit to the strop.
I’m fairly sure that I’m going to send my razors off for professional honing when the time comes. But I’d really like to be able to maintain them myself up until that point.

Can anyone here recommend the best way a noob can sharpen\maintain the edge? I’ve looked at buying a 12K stone (of some sort, don’t really know what type) or buying another strop from SRD’s (buffalo leather + canvas) and us paste on the canvas side, Diamond 1 etc.
The main reason I’d like the 3” strop is so I don’t need to do the X pattern, again any comments here please go ahead!
So in summary, 1. Stone or pasted strop for bringing back the edge before professional honing? 2. Which combination of strop should I buy (3” wide)?
Many thanks in advance.

Kingjonesy (Rich UK).