What razor is best for newbie?

Please help! Newbie looking for advice. Can someone please recommend a nice starter razor that will not take me broke? My grandfather and his father both shaved with a straight razor their entire lives, but he has passed away and don't want the tradition to be forgotten. Not sure why my father never caught on, but I want to learn all about it and I can't wait to get started. Someone please guide me in the right direction to get started. I don't want a cheap razor, but can not afford the best either. I have read a bit and the best razor does not seem to be the best for a beginner anyhow. Just have not really been able to find a real direct answer or recommendation for a starter razor. Any advice or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Still working on getting my grandfathers old blade, but would still like one of my own. Please make me an honest offer. :confused:

Why not ask your Grandmother for your Grandfather's old razor? Many of us would kill for such an heirloom.

Failing that, anything that was made in either Sheffield England, Solingen Germany or Eskeltuna Sweden is the top of the line and usually for a decent price. There are good American made razors too, but I don't know about those. Read our Stickies and the Wiki for more info. Starter sets are available from Tony Miller at The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier

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Brian, first let me welcome you to SRP. This is the place to find the information you seek.

The bare minimum of equipmet you will need is:

1. A Shave ready razor
2. Strop (hanging preferred, but paddle will work too)
3. Shaving soap/cream (personal preference)
4. Brush (you can find them for less than $10 doing a google search for Shaving brush)

There are a couple of good sources for razors. The first would be visit the classifieds on this site. You should look for something like a 5/8 or 6/8 round point. Most all are shave ready (will be so noted in the ad). These are not cheap razors, rather they are very nice razors at reasonable prices. Those selling them have reputations to keep. The razor will be of good qualtiy and reasonably priced. I have purchased two from there so far and love them both.

Kenrup (a member here) sells beginner sets at extrememly attractive prices. You should also check Straight Razor Designs and Vintage Blades. They also have nice razors at good prices.

That's a start. I'm sure others will have good sources too and recommend them.

welcome srp and your first post is hardest one i think
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There is so many nice razors out there.i don't know how someone can give to you advise .
I can tell you what not to do.
1 st Please keep yourself away from cheep razor sets on ebay mainly zeepks something like this name
2 if you check the posts you will find that names Easy way is this, if razor brand new that is mostly pakistany staff don't pay any cent.
3.i don't think you will go wrong if you buy cengo,tree brand ,wade and butcher, ti,etc etc they are thousands out there depends how much money you want spend on it.
4 I think the best will be check classified and by someone who is member of this srp in this case seller will never sell you bad prodoct and you are save in here.No one wants their name called in bad side in here and this is great srp group.
hope this helps

Thanks so much for the advice from everyone! I have an idea of the size I will look for and a few sites to check out now. When I get my grandfathers razor I will post what it looks like and such since I know some of you are interested in what it is. If my grandmother were not in an old timers home with Altzemers I would have it now. Thanks again for everyones help! Looking forward to chating more in the near future about my new endeavour.

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Originally Posted by brianmueller007

Please help! Newbie looking for advice. Can someone please recommend a nice starter razor that will not take me broke? My grandfather and his father both shaved with a straight razor their entire lives, but he has passed away and don't want the tradition to be forgotten. Not sure why my father never caught on, but I want to learn all about it and I can't wait to get started. Someone please guide me in the right direction to get started. I don't want a cheap razor, but can not afford the best either. I have read a bit and the best razor does not seem to be the best for a beginner anyhow. Just have not really been able to find a real direct answer or recommendation for a starter razor. Any advice or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Still working on getting my grandfathers old blade, but would still like one of my own. Please make me an honest offer. :confused:

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Go to the "Classifides" - take a look at a recent post by Izlat for a Geneva. He is an outstanding fellow and he makes a nice offer there. Geneva's (Genco) are fine shavers, and you can't beat his price.

I have also found that a round point is a good idea at least to start out with. It makes it less likely to catch the toe while shaving.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

welcome srp and your first post is hardest one i think
.
There is so many nice razors out there.i don't know how someone can give to you advise .
I can tell you what not to do.
1 st Please keep yourself away from cheep razor sets on ebay mainly zeepks something like this name
2 if you check the posts you will find that names Easy way is this, if razor brand new that is mostly pakistany staff don't pay any cent.
3.i don't think you will go wrong if you buy cengo,tree brand ,wade and butcher, ti,etc etc they are thousands out there depends how much money you want spend on it.
4 I think the best will be check classified and by someone who is member of this srp in this case seller will never sell you bad prodoct and you are save in here.No one wants their name called in bad side in here and this is great srp group.
hope this helps

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That piece of advice should be stickied and placed at the top of every forum in bold letters. "Simco" is just as bad, too.

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Originally Posted by FloorPizza

That piece of advice should be stickied and placed at the top of every forum in bold letters. "Simco" is just as bad, too.

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I ignore any razors that are new, buy-it-now and cheap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zepplin

Go to the "Classifides" - take a look at a recent post by Izlat for a Geneva. He is an outstanding fellow and he makes a nice offer there. Geneva's (Genco) are fine shavers, and you can't beat his price.

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I am pretty sure I saw the Geneva you are talking about for $75. Is this razor a good size to start with? It looks like some people are recommending a 5/8 to start out.:hmmm: I am definitly looking to buy from a reputable seller.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brianmueller007

I am pretty sure I saw the Geneva you are talking about for $75. Is this razor a good size to start with? It looks like some people are recommending a 5/8 to start out.:hmmm: I am definitly looking to buy from a reputable seller.

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6/8 is slightly heavier than 5/8, but I'll very strongly recommend that razor over almost any other 5/8 that I've seen recently. We generally recommend starting with a razor between 5/8 and 6/8, and I believe the Wapienica's are even heavier than this one, and many people have learned with them. One thing I'm sure of - if you take that razor, you won't be disappointed.

Well I sent Izlat a PM, but it looks like he already sold that Geneva Razor. Can you recommend another good beginer razor from the classifieds? I think I will feel a bit more comfortable with the tip taken a bit to start with. There are so many different brands and such. Don't know which one's are considered better than another? I appreciate your help!

Ah, that's a pitty. Just looked quickly and 6/8 Wade & Butcher Full Hollow - Straight Razor Place Classifieds doesn't look bad at all. Many people are big fans of W&B, admittedly I'm not in that category.
Or if you want a cleaner blade slightly smaller size and you can wait an extra week or so, you can opt for one of the ones that I've listed - not sure how busy Glen is, but I think he generally can get them honed within a week. I don't have the time to hone these, so they are not shave-ready.

You really can't know which is a better razor unless you try them. Some brands are more popular than others, but part of that is the volume they produced, not just the quality. A lot of people, me included have a fantastic razor, or few from unknown maker.
Most razors from germany, england, and usa will be very good.

I am also a newbie and with the little experience I have I would have to agree with what everyone has already said.

Buying used razors was definitely the right choice!

You are bound to eventually do something stupid with your razor. Also, you will have a learning curve with everything that you will need to do with the razor (Example: stropping, eventually honing, etc...). You can buy a Wapi (Wapienica) new or a classifieds razor. I would not buy an ebay razor as your first razor to use.
Stay away from anything on ebay that is new and very cheap. If time permits post a question on an item and see what people tell you about it. Buying a piece of junk you cannot use for less money doesn't really save you anything.

I think one of the best razors to start with that is also inexpensive is a Wapi. Even experienced shavers like these.
And cheap isn't necessarily bad. Those Double arrows would be an ok option too as long as they are checked out for faults & are shave ready. Better to have your learning curve on a cheapie that shaves well.