Been interested in straight razors since before I even needed to shave and finally picked up my first one a few weeks back from Larry (Whipped Dog)! Everything arrived so quick I hadn't even ordered the other stuff I 'need' so I've been going at it just steel and water and I have to say I'm actually enjoying shaving for the first time in years.
I do have a couple of questions though:
1) Cleaning the razor; it's a great shaver but doesn't look as spectacular as some others, I don't mind putting some work into cleaning it up but I've read conflicting information on pretty much everything. The razor is dingy and could do with a good polish but I'm not sure what I can use, and there is some rust in that hard to reach place on the tang between the scales (the shank?), I don't really want to remove the pins to get at it so any advice welcome.
2) A hone; I'm going to need to hone my razor at some point but I have no idea where in the UK sells hones worth a damn. I'd like to eventually use a razor I've restored myself so I don't mind spending a bit of money on a hone with 2 grits that could in the future be used to restore a razor, even if it is a way off.
Other than that, just waiting on my brush, soap and much needed alum block :D