Starter Kit on Ebay / Is it Good
Hi...can anyone tell me if this is a decent starter kit for the money, and also tell me anything else I may need? I know I will have to replace the brush right away....how does the strope look? And more importantly how is that razor!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Heirloom-Dovo-5-...QQcmdZViewItem
OK, lets give you the low down
I got my first kit from Tony with theis exact same set-up (except I think my razor was even maybe a step under this one) - and here is the straight scoop - I stopped using the soap and plastic mug after the first shave - the soap is fine, the mug is cheesy but workable - the brush is cheesy but I still use it in rotation (with several other much "nicer" brushes) and it hold its own. But look, the cost of the set is worth it for the razor and the strop - first the razor will be hand honed and sharp out of the gate - no screwing around with "am I doning something wrong" because your shave sucks, because your "shave ready" razor isn't really shave ready! In fact, I believe that it is one of our shavemeisters, and maybe the chief poobaa of this whole endeavor, that sharpens Tony's razors...You can;t do better. The 4 sided pasted is indispensable (IMO) for keeping the blade keen, even though I have started honing, a little, I always end up on the pasted (that same pasted) for the final passes. Oh, and Tony is one stand up guy, you will hear that over and over, but in my dealings with him he has been prompt and willing to help me when he didn't need to, and willing to fix problems no matter how small if they should arise - that my friend is worth 2x what he is asking for that set. Just my 2c. What I would do if I were you is go to Tony's website and price the same set, without or without options - and look at the hanging strop in addition to the pasted strop (you will need both, again in my humble opinion) - and then buy with confidence. Disclaimer: I have no interest or stock in the company, etc.. http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/ K