Thread: I need some advise on a new razor and strop.

That 6/8 Bismarck was one of the first new-production razors I bought from SRD! Great razor! I had it about a week and dropped it on the bathroom floor, so it also quickly became my first honing/repair experience!! As far as strops, the ski is the limit there. However, a good 3" latigo from SRD, Vintage Blades, Classic Edge, etc will run you between $50-75, and with proper care is all you'd really ever need.
Welcome Aboard!

I have not used a shavette, but from what I have read, many have had trouble transitioning from it to a straight. The correct angel and blade characteristics being very different. I have found that full hollow ground razors have a longer learning curve than ½ to ¼ ground razors. The stiffer blade is easier to shave with IMHO. As for the strop, I use the vegan strop from: The Well Shaved Gentleman The Heirloom Razor Strop Company. They also sell leather strops, but the vegan strop has advantages for the newbie. It is much harder to cut than a leather strop and it does not need extra maintenance to keep the pull consistent. Also, they a less expensive. I have used one since I started and feel no need for a leather strop. Good luck and good shaving.

That looks like a fine razor and Henkles has a good name but I do not know if those razors come shave ready and professionally honed which is a must. Be wary of that because if it does not come professionally honed you will need to send it off which is another expense. I have that Bismark and I love it. You will not find a sharper blade than the ones sharpened on that site. I can highly recommend that site. They ship very fast too.