I picked up a couple straight razors this week. The first is a wester Bros and was supposedly shave ready. My shaves were passable but uncomfortable and there was some tugging and skipping involved.

I decided to focus on my stropping. I haven't shaved with a straight in a few years, and found that my stropping needed work. I am using a Whipped Dog travel strop and have improved alot in a couple days. I still feel that the razor needs a small touchup to really be considered shave ready.

Anyway I have been reading here about hones. The Naniawa superstone, Shapton 16k, barber hones, pasted strops. It seems that all of these hones serve there purpose, it just depends on who you ask. My personal experience with hones is limited. I did own a Norton 4k/8k for a while, but found that my honing was marginal at best. I am not sure if I would choose the Norton again, but basically I need something I can keep my razor shaving with. Cost is a big factor, I can't spend alot, and am looking for a cheap solution.

Whipped dog offers the Norton combo set, although the hones are cut in halves. I imagine you could hone on these in circular motions, I have seen some videos using the method. Larry has the Chinese 12k as well. My cheap solution would be the balsa pasted strop, and the Chinese 12k. If I were to go that route would I need to buy a flattening stone to use prior to touchups? On the other hand, I found a Swaty 3 line hone for 30 bucks. Is that enough on its own, or do I also need some paste as a final polish? Are the Franz Swaty hones easily maintained once lapped?

Any cost effective ideas are appreciated. I remember asking lots of questions here a while back, and since I have most of my straight shaving figured out aside from the hones, I will be able to keep that minimal now, lol.

Thanks.