Hello everyone. I have read lots and lots of posts and messages and even watched a few videos and well for the past 8 hours I have been trying to make an informed decision on a course of action... which I feel I'm going to undertake. I bought a crap razor - which I knew was crap from the start... there is no need to bring that point up. I am and have been interested in using straight razors and well buying crap to mess around with and ruin isnt a bad idea for me.

My search for a cheap razor was a zeepk which everyone swears by as being horrible... sure, I'll take your word for it. I also got a Norton 4000/8000 on its way. the 'set' I got was actually 2 zeepks and a strop and a brush. I dont expect much from them - they were cheap, but I want to learn to hone with them.

My question arises from the fact that everyone says they are junk but with NO real conclusion of them, they are just 'bad.' Now what I'd like to know is is it that they are extremely difficult to hone or do they just not keep an edge or do they just give a poor shave or what? I really really looked and never found someone say exactly what things I should expect from these razors. I want to be able to be 'good enough' to get a fairly sharp edge on them and then try working on getting it more and more sharp.. eventually if I can get it to be sharp enough to shave with I'll invest in a real blade, but first I want to be informed on what difficulties I should expect.

I have a week before my stuff comes in so I have time to do a little more research and learn some more.

I'm open to learn - I've read the whole badger and blade de vs straight all the sections - if you dont know what I'm talking about
The Interactive Guide to Straight Razor Shaving - Badger & Blade
that article and other posts and info put me on the track to try and hone these blades and hopefully make them usable or at least to a 'partial' degree.

I could have gotten a $100 presharpened blade, but I felt that I would only have to buy the stones eventually anyway... why not buy something cheap, get it to work, then buy something worthy of preserving. Now I know what to look out for in pawn shops and other antique places.

so... I have read a lot, but I know nothing. Please help me know what is really in front of me... getting a zeepk to usable form.