Hey folks. About 10 years ago I bought a straight razor and a strop. Tried shaving with it, got a lousy shave, put it away. I'm assuming the biggest problem was sharpness rather than technique.

Recently came across a box filled with my wife's stepfather's old junk in it, and lots of the stuff was from when he went to Barber school years ago so there was about 5 straight razors in it.

Anyway, this find got me interested in looking around shaving forums and I found out that there is lots of guys using the safety razor. So I sent for a sample of blades and tried shaving with an old Gillette and a Merkur I bought for my father years ago after getting a good lather with some Proraso. Well, I hated it. I found it very difficult to get a good shave with and I used the recommended angle and pressure. It wouldn't give me as good a shave as my trusty Gillette Sensor.

So I'd like to give the straight razor a shot again, but I've got a question.

Should I get the Solingen I bought years ago sharpened or should I buy a new blade of good quality and get that sharpened? The Solingen I bought I'm sure wasn't more than $40, but I can't be sure.

I hate to spend a lot of money if this is something I don't stick with, but I'd also hate it if the reason I don't stick with it is because the Solingen I have now isn't good quality enough to give a good shave.