Howdy,
My name is Greg, I'm in the US Air Force, currently stationed in Japan. I've been vaguely interested in open razor shaving for a while, but never took the leap and got one. Last year I even did my homework to find out how it's done and what gear is worth having, but just never got around to ordering. Then a few weeks ago, one of the doctors I work with mentioned he was getting a straight razor, and we chatted for a few minutes on the subject. The next day, I ordered a Dovo 5/8" half hollow-ground cut-throat razor. About a week and a half ago it arrived with a hanging strop. My badger brush hadn't showed yet, so the first two shaves were with the canned Gillette stuff; they went okay, but when I got my brush and picked up a shave soap, the difference was night and day, so much better. Today was my fourth time shaving (I only shave about ever other day) and my first shave without cutting myself!!! So far I'm loving the "new" way of shaving, I actually look forward to it, weird.

Here's the gear I'm currently rocking:
Dovo Carbon Steel Half Hollow Best Quality Razor, 5/8" Black Handle
Dovo 185-35001 Linen/Cowhide Strop
Omega Pure Badger Shaving Brush
The soap I've been using b/c it was handy
Soap I have but haven't used yet

So, nothing fancy or extravagant, but it seems to be doing the job so far. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions are welcome (btw, any thoughts on which soap is better?).

Considering getting one of these at some point

I'm way excited to improve my skill in this, the art of straight cut shaving!