Thread: complete novice

Hello, and welcome to the SRP family!!!

Hi and welcome to the forum. Generally I'd say check out the classifieds here for a razor; although currently there aren't that many for sale. of course eBay always has straights and you could ask advice before buying (though we won't give a valuation as it's not allowed). Ensure your new razor is shave ready.

You'll need a strop of course, generally they tend to be about 100AU. You'll also need a hone (if you want to hone yourself; I recommenced you do learn how) and something like a Shapton 16k will keep your razor shave ready for a long time (assuming care and attention in stropping and general care of the razor). However, it is often recommended that you buy TWO razors, both shave ready; and keep one as a comparrison. You can swap between them when the bring one up to the state of the other. So, you buy two, use one. Then, when you feel it's slightly dull, compare it to the other unused razor. Refresh the used razor on the hone until you feel it's at the same state as the unused razor. When you feel they're both the same in regards to the edge, you can use the unused razor and compare it to the other. This way you always have a benchmark.

Otherwise it's easy to forget what a truly shave ready razor feels like, unless of course you just keep buying them; which you probably will anyway!

Good luck!

Carl

Hi and welcome. Sounds like the guys have given most of the basic advice so I will just add to check before purchasing as there are many places selling razors that will never shave and poor equipment. Either ask or do a search and you can know your getting a good product that will last. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.

Greetings from just outside Durham, North Carolina, brother. Buy quality out of the gate, learn how to keep it sharp and shave on. Such a pleasure.

just a picture of what I've got to start with

What brand is the straight in the picture. Have you used it yet

hia eddy79 not got brand name on was from ebay tried it first and just doesn't shave think its the wrong steel only paid £10 so wasn't expecting much