Originally Posted by
roughkype
+1 to the whippeddog kit.
There were a few straight razor users in Iowa City a couple of years ago, but I don't know if they're still around. I was back there a few weeks ago, and the Soap Opera on the ped mall still has a few soaps and brushes. Kinda on the pricey side, though. No strops any more. I bought my Illinois strop there, about ten years ago.
There's a fellow up in Decorah, bkratchmer or something close to that, who used to be quite active here.
Best wishes to you. If I still lived in the area I'd invite you over and you could try out some blades. You still could, but it's about a 15-hour drive.