Hi,

Im a beginner as well, and from advice from this website, ordered a "sight unseen" razor, silvertip brush and poor-mans strop kit from Larry, and couldn't be happier as a great place to start.

First, the razor. Not pretty, but nice edge and shaves well. As it is cheap, in not worried about dropping it etc.

2nd, the brush. I dont have others to compare it to, but it lathers very well and is nice to use. Doesnt drop hairs.

3rd. The poor mans strop. Great kit. Came with 2 leather strops (cant remember if I paid extra for that), plus a balsa strop with green and red paste. Also came with extra strop paste/powder, neatsfoot oil and instructions. The lot was around $100 delivered to Australia.

Communication from Larry at Whipped-dog was great, very friendly and helpful fellow.

I wasn't on such a tight budget like you (but still a limited budget), and intended on getting better gear, but glad I didn't start with an expensive strop! I already have a few nicks in mine. I haven't dropped my razor yet or knocked it against the sink etc, but still glad I didn't start off with an expensive one. I was initially intending on also getting a better brush eventually, as I didn't think I would get a good brush for the $20-30 larry charged, but after using it for a while, I really don't think I need to upgrade to a better brush (leaving me some more cash for a better razor).