Hello all, checking in from the Lubbock, Texas area. I am new to SRP and trying to learn more about straight razor shaving. I have been given a razor, but I have yet to get it shave ready.
I would like to share pictures of my razor and pose a few questions. First, the link (I hope all can view it):
https://plus.google.com/photos/11291...J_FqY_YnuaOrgE

The captions on the pictures will hopefully help. I believe this is a half-hollow grind based on images viewed on SRP, but I am not positive. In a couple of pictures, you can also see a portion of a paddle strop that I made. Any comments/advice on this razor or strop are greatly appreciated.

I am cheap (I'll admit it) and don't want to spend much $$ until I know that SR shaving is for me; thus I am trying to learn to hone this beast myself. The only hone I currently have is a Smith's tri-hone which I know is not an optimum solution (I don't even know what grit each hone is: just coarse, medium, fine), but again, it is what I have. I have read several websites about making balsa wood hones and have considered that as a viable option. I would like to solicit comments from experienced honers regarding this approach. The jeweler's rouge that I am using on the homemade paddle strop was purchased from Tandy Leather which was recommended by them for straight razor stropping. Any thoughts?

I have picked up some Van Der Hagen soap and a Van Der Hagen boar brush (again minimal $$), these combined with a large coffee mug and I am ready to get after it.

Thanks in advance for advice/comments.

P.S. If anyone knows of someone in the Lubbock, TX area that does professional razor honing, please sound off.