Newbie looking for the best straight razor/package

[timmerk]

I'm willing to spend up to around $500 for everything I need to get started (like a kit, or maybe everything bought separately.) I know there are razors that cost a lot more, but I don't want any design on it, nor do I want some antique. I just want to buy the best razor that is currently made today. What brands and models do you guys recommend?

Thanks!

[SteveS]

There are lots of superb razors for well under your budget. My experience is limited to vintage razors and one custom razor from Robert Williams (papabull, a member here). My best shaver is the Robert Williams. If you search the archives, you'll see that other members are also happy with their Williams razors. His razors are certainly contenders for the best shavers.

[majurey]

Hi there!

I recommend you take a look at Tony' website and maybe buy one of the shaving sets that will have everything you need. http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/

It will come in way less than $500, but it is all you need to make an informed start. If you catch the bug (and I bet you will! ) then you can take your time choosing a custom blade in the future. You'll have a better idea then of what sort of blade you like, what features, what style, what hones, what strops, etc. Keep the money back for later and you won't regret it!

Cheers
M.

[SteveS]

Good advice from majurey. I hesitated to recommend a Williams for your first razor for exactly the reasons given by majurey, but I do think his are some of the best.

[jnich67]

I agree with the above. I keep changing my mind about the kind of razors I "like". I'm coming to the conclusion that I like them all!!

I'd get a good basic set to start and then you can figure out what you want in a fancy-pants razor

Jordan

[Kyle76]

There is an excellent set on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum with a Filarmonica razor for $175. You might want to also get a better strop, but Fillys are great razors, and this would be a great place to start.

[Keith Hartley]

Check out www.vintagebladesllc.com

I just ordered a set from Jim today with upgrades, Norton 4k/8k stone & extra shaving soaps for 1/2 your budget. Jim was very helpful.
I was also checking out Tony site, he has some great sets as well. The thing that swayed me to Jim's site is the Badger brushes & honing stones.

[syslight]

Honestly $500 more than sufficient... you should be able to get a lovely setup for around $400. Now I know the Maestro Livi, Robert Williams and Joe Chandler custom and premade razors are beautiful and shave a real treat... but you might want to make them your 4th or 5th razor purchase.

here would be my starting set:
shavemac #177 silver tip badger (Vintageblades LLC) ~100USD
theirs-issard 6/8 Sheffield silver steel in Sicilian olive wood (Classic Shaving) ~173USD
Lynn Abrams "World of Straight razor shaving" (Classic Shaving) ~20USD
Razor Honing (sharpening service) (Classic Shaving) ~20USD _Lynn Abrams does all their honing... a bargain at twice the price.
#4 starter strop (The Well Shaved Gentleman) ~27USD
Heirloom vintage style paddle strop for pastes, pre-pasted with 3micron, 1 micron, .5 micron and .25micron diamond pastes (Tony, The Well Shaved Gentleman) ~60
Lastly, any 5 1 ounce shaving soaps form our Soapmistress (The Gentlemens Quarter) ~20USD (just send a pm to "churley" here and she will send you your product list)

there that spends about $400 of your money (plus shipping) and would give you a fantastic start. the only upgrades you would need in a while is a new Paragon strop from Tony in a month or two.. after you have learned proper stropping.

You could also simply buy a starter set from any of the above vendors and get great shave and a good deal for around $200. But you will Need Lynn's DVD and Colleen's soap... they are worth it.

[Tony Miller]

No matter whos set, razor, strop, etc... the DVD is a must. I'm an old hand at this and I learned a few things from it.

Tony

[timmerk]

Thanks for all the replies! This will help me a lot in deciding. By the way.. are Dovo's any good? I've seen some extensive shaving kits with Dovo razors at http://www.nashvilleknifeshop.com and was wondering if they were good too.

Also, what do the different widths of the razors do? I think I heard that 5/8 are good for newbies. What would wider ones accomplish? What should I get, width wise?

Thanks!