Thanks to everyone for all the welcome and advice. This site is great. I'll began exploring the library, and it's an amazing resource and really helped to clarify and explain things. And I've bumbled around the forums a bit and found the "Ladies Corner." That's an excellent resource I wasn't expecting, but was really excited to find.

I need a razor still. My budget is fairly low, so around $100, unless someone sees something really stellar come up; I am will to spend the money. It will just be a peanut butter sandwich month and it's only the first, lol.

In the classifieds there is a G. Clason 6.8 wedge and a Kropp 7/8 full hollow posted by carrolljc, each for $90. Any opinions? Or opinions on something else in the classifieds?

While my budget really only accommodates one of theses razors, part of me wants to purchase both so that I have two razors that I can feel the difference between. Since that would be $200, if someone has something for around that price that would be worth spending the money on it by a newbie, I'd appreciate that advice.

I have a friends who is a leatherworker by trade, so he can help me make a strop, especially since I just want a beginning one that I don't have to feel bad about messing up right now.

I am open to, and appreciate, pre- and after shave product, as well as soap and cream suggestions. And brushes. But there are entire forums devoted to that so I can go there to explore that for myself.

Thanks,
Dee