Tony Miller/ The Well Shaved Gentleman has some starter kits that come sans razor and the one with the pasted paddle strop would be a way for you to get all the gear you need to start out in one fell swoop.

Once you get the basic set-up you will find the desire for some of the more exotic and interesting items out there creeping in. things like fine soaps (these really make a difference) so you can choose fragrance day by day. super nice brushes for the ultimate lather and softness. Or A scuttle for that warm lather feeling.

If moneys tight, any brush from the drugstore will do for a while. A cake of Williams mug picked up usually right next to that brush for less than two bucks is where a lot of guys get their start with a cake soap.

The strop though you want quality, because either it works well and will be around for years or it is so cheap it does bad things to a razor and get thrown out instantly. With the choices at either classic or from Tony you can't go wrong there.

The problem with the cheaper brush is that while an alternative it isn't the same as the more expensive ones. the Badger hair for the better brushes is a lot more expensive than the boar hair found on the cheaper alternative. I am one of those guys who seems to prefer the boar hair though, and for less than twenty bucks you can get a nice boar brush. There is however a noticeable difference in the hairs and you might like the badger better.