I've been reading the archives to start to get a handle on this whole process. I've been using the Williams soap and the basic boars hair brush from CVS. Right now I've paired that with my standard cartridge razor. The FROMM disposable is pretty much useless after 4 strokes with the current blades.

So, I have been looking at every site I can find to approach this from a couple of different fronts.

One way is to order Tony Williams starter kit.

http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.c...1&categoryId=5

That might be doable, and there is no real downside except I'll probably need more than that. At least another razor. lets say 200.00 for this route. It looks real good!

Next would be to get a couple of basics piece by piece.
A tony Williams strop.
One of these razors,

Found this FROMM for 40.00, plus sharpening?

http://www.bestclippers.com/fromstraigra.html

Still would need a hone, well from what I've read I could use some 2K and 25K wet dri paper along with a barbers finishing hone.

http://www.bowmanbeauty.com/store/sh...OD/1-6070/AH-1

There was this hone, but no grit sizes listed. I have not e-mailed them to get any info. I did read through the archives about barbers hones and found that some like them, some don't.

The easy answer is to get Tony's stuff, top notch and shave ready. There is the aspect of needing to learn some honing skills as well. I could have somebody sharpen a razor for me and then work on a second one. That is where the idea of going piece by piece comes in. I could get a little more equipment to start for the same initial outlay. Chances are I'll damage my first stuff as I learn. So going a little less fancy but still workable has an appeal.

At this point I could get by with as little as a razor, strop, barbers hone, and drive on. Thats just less than 100 bucks, throw a second razor in and I'am still under 130 give or take.

I checked the antiques and thrift stores. One store had two razors. They wanted 80 to 100 bucks for them. I would just as soon buy new for that money.

I'am not rushing into this right now. I'am still learning a lot with using the brush and soap right now. So far I really like it. Been shaving for 25yrs and I'am really just learning some good stuff. It is a long journey and I'am still in the driveway.