Thread: help choosing first straight razor ever

Please help I have no Idea where to begin. I have been reading up on straight razors for a few weeks and have done nothing but made things worse. I have fallen in love with the idea of getting and learning to use a straght razor. I think it would be great for the kind of detail and closeness I want, plus it's just cool. But where does one begin. What's A nice razor that will allow me to get the smoothness I want, with the detail I hope to be able to achieve. Are there any complete kits that are actually worth the money, and are these kits anywhere near as good as buying everything seperate. I would mind if the thing looked kinda cool too, but that's a far second to it doing a great job. Can anyone help please. I'd greatly appreciate it.

Best bet would be to peruse the classifieds. You can get a good razor that is truly shave ready. It will be prehoned for you. Best of all you can spend $50 or less for something that will be a good starter. Look for a round point, it's forgiving. Hope that helps..

If you do not have a cost constraint, then there are a lot of choices. If you do have some cost constraints, then Kenrup has some great kits at some reasonable prices. I personally would go with the Wapi that he sells.

Id have to agree 100% with the previous post, everyone here has a reputation to protect. We do this as a hobby/passion and take pride in what is done. Check the classifieds, you'll get the best at an affordable price as weel as continuing service/help here on the forum. Round points would be best, square points will bite!

if you get one out of the classifieds, make sure the description includes that the razor is shave ready. not all in the classifieds are ready to shave when they arrive.

you need a leather strap for stropping the razor each day before use as well - dont forget it!

Welcome to SRP,

Some good advice above. The best place to start is to read the sticky posts in this section. That'll answer a lot of your questions.
Feel free to ask for any specific advice, but keep in mind that essentially everything is a matter of personal preference so you will likely get ten different recommendations.
As far as kits go, these are not that common in the Classifieds, but most vendors would offer such, or if you can just make your own at a vendor that stocks razors and strops.

thanx for the help, I was trying to find kenrup's stuff in the classifieds and am having some trouble, would anyone have any links to anything. all I can find is one blade that he sells, is that a wapienica. I found one at this link, Wapienica , is that what you guys are talking about. I appreciate all the help. Just trying to find a keeper

The link you found is in UK, where are you located?
You can find Kenrup's contact information in the vendor's section - he has a thread there.

Jargon Buster

This is straight from the page you linked.