Wow, didn't realize so many SRP members right here in middle tennessee. I found something similar on a couple of the woodworking forums I go to, but not this many. I'll keep in touch, especially if I have problems.

I've watched some videos on honing, stropping, lathering, and shaving. I am getting a shave ready razor from Larry at Whipped Dog along the a strop. I have cleaned up and honed a Case Preparedness razor I inherited. I'm sure its not shave ready. I definitely wanted to start with a professionally honed razor to get an idea of what degree of sharpness is normal. From what I've read Larry at whipped dog does a great job at this. I learned the same sort of thing in woodworking. I didn't know chisels and hand planes weren't pretty much ready to go out of the box. I never got anything out of them until I got some premiums and saw how they could work when set up and sharpened.

I think I'll be okay on the water stones, but will need to perfect my technique on the strop. I know from my woodworking sharpening how easy it is to round an edge on a strop. I also know the benefits of good stropping. I've just never used a razor strop, but think I know the right technique from videos. It's a matter of execution.

I'll probably be giving my first straight razor shave a go next week sometime. It'll be partial, avoiding the nose and chin areas. I've got plenty of time. I plan to work on my brush and getting the lather right while shaving with my sensor until my strop and razor arrive.

Thanks again for the nice welcome and advise from everyone. Maybe we middle tennesseans can get together sometime.