Hello there,

I'm a newbie (first post) making an appearance from the de shaving scene on badgerandblade.com. I've been bitten by the nostalgia bug and can't wait to give se shaving a try. I"ve watched Lynn's video about 3 times now, read for hours last night on this board, and today have contacted several vendors via email for advice. I'm thinking I'll start with a shave ready eBay special from Bob Keyes (Altima55), a strop from Tony (sent a pm from this board), and I'm a little unsure about the hone(s) at this point.

Redtrader99 suggested I would be happy with a lithide for finishing work and she referred me to her website, http://www.redtrader99.com/hones.html. Upon looking at her inventory, I noted a beginner set which inlcuded a medium (cushioned strop), a medium/fine (gem), and the finishing lithide stone all for $34 plus shipping. I've read here that a medium and a finishing stone would be a good mix. What do you folks think of the beginner's set? Would I better off going an entirely different direction and getting one of those more expensive 4k/8k stones that everyone seems to talk about and bypassing the higher grit the lithide? That is, can you go from an 8k tune-up right to the strop?

PS - I noticed Lynn rides a Road King. I'm another HD rider and opted for the creature comforts of the fairing and radio and therefore went with the Electra Glide.