question for straight razor dopers

[haardvark]

This was originally inspired by a Scylla thread, which I am marginally too cut to find now, wherein he stated that he generally shaves with a straight razor.

I have been using a brush and mug soap for about 10 years and love it. I keep trying to sell up the concept to folks but they generally stare at me like I'm crazy (this happens for other reasons too...) I have always wanted to try a straight razor so:

Any dopers out there with the experience to recommend a brand? purveyor? useage guidelines? care and feeding instructions? (other than to say that if the bleeding is severe one should tourniquet one's NECK?)