Good first razor?

Hi, I'm very new to this. Just started seriously thinking about switching to a straight razor today. I've been googling and checking out different razors, but there are so many that it's quite overwhelming.

One of the big reasons I want to start using a straight razor is to more accurately shape my facial hair (an anchor), so it's important that I be able to maneuver around my moustache and beard. I would like to purchase a quality razor that will give me the "true" straight razor experience (not a hair cutting razor or replaceable razor), but don't want to spend a ton of money in case I never get the hang of a straight razor.

I'm thinking about getting a 4/8" Thiers-Issard "Le Dandy" from classicshaving.com, and an Illinois #206 hanging strop from the same site. What do the experienced straight razor users among you think of this? Would another brand razor be better? Would a smile be better?

Thanks :)

This would be a good setup.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=18542

Also get anything other than shaving foam/gel from a can. For 1.50$ this is easily 10x better than Gillette or whatever.

http://www.williamsmugsoap.com/

Mark

Yeah, I've been using a cheap brush and bowl with soap with my Mach 3 for a couple years. I love it.

Thanks for the link to that thread. I'm looking at the Dovos now. Thinking about a Best Quality 5/8 since the Classic Black doesn't seem to be available. I'll definitely get it honed by Lynn.

Dovos are great straights. Just about anything shave-ready in our B/S/T section would be a good starter.

Also, you could check THESE out. The wapis are done by Mike_Ratliff, I believe, and are recommended for new straight shavers.

Welcome aboard!

I'll second the recommendation for the Wapi from Mike. For $40+S/H you get a decent razor -- not very flashy, but definitely solid -- and a honemeister edge, the value of which cannot be overstated for starting out. If it doesn't work out for you, you can easily recover the bulk of that in B/S/T, and if it does, you certainly won't regret having a Wapi in your stable (I expect virtually everyone here does).
If you do decide to buy a new razor, you should still certainly get one pre-honed through one of the friendly local honemeisters, which will up the cost of the blade by about $20 but will transform the experience of your first shave from one of pain and horror to something workable. The blade will come knife-sharp from the factory, but you're not trying to cut meat, and a shaving edge requires more attention than the factories can afford to give.
Best of luck!