So I think I'm going to be ordering some stuff soon to get started straight shaving. I'm putting together my equipment list first and then I'll order most of the stuff that I need.

I'd like to approach this venture from two sides. I'd like to learn to shave with a SE, and to that end I plan on ordering a couple of shave ready razors (everyone has already been more than helpful in this area), a four sided / pasted paddle, and a seconds strop from tony.

The other side I'd like to learn is the sharpening, maintenance side. I think it will be a nice hobby to restore and use razors. To this end, I'm hoping to get some advice. I have gotten some tips on what to look for in fixer upper razors, but I'm wondering what hone to get, and where to get a good price on it. After some research it looks like the pasted paddle and strop will maintain my shave ready razors for some time but as I understand I'll need separate equipment to do the sharpening on the not so good razors. After some reading I see that red99 is recommended often for hones, but it looks like, that it might be smart for me to pick up one of these Norton 4k/8k hones. My understanding is that I can use this to fix the blades then move to my pasted strop to make them shave ready. If I'm way off please let me know. If not, where can I get one of these hones for a reasonable price and any recommendations on required reading before getting started?

Thanks,

John