Thread: Hi I'm new here and could use some advice...

Get a Norton 4000/8000, check the classifieds for a razor, or kenrup on here, Damon on here sells good strops too.
You could get a double arrow off ebay, they're ok, kenrup sells them honed for you.

i would say get a shave ready razor from the classifieds here at SRP and go with that before you worry about stones at all.
i didnt get mine until about a month or so of shaving with a straight. Just stick to the things you need for getting started for now such as brush, razor, strop, and soap before going into the honing scene.

just my .02

Originally Posted by aroliver59

One might suggest that you not invest money on hones when you have not tried straight razor shaving.If you get a real "shave ready" razor honed by a pro,and a decent strop,you're good to go for literally a month or more.By then,you'll know if it's for you and you can get into honing when you're sure.

As kahunamoose said, this is great advice. Wish I'd been given it when I started out, instead I jumped in headfirst and… well, it all worked out, but I'd have saved a lot money if I'd have found this place before I made the move.

Concerning honing, it depends what you want to do. My first setup was a 4 sided paddle strop with 3.0,1.0,0.5,0.25 diamond paste from Tony Miller and a DMT8EE plate and that kept me going about a year. I had no interest in honing and wanted something that would get me a very sharp razor and keep that way. I was very happy with that setup. It allowed me the minimum amount of time honing and was easy so that I could learn how to shave with a sharp straight razor. Since very early on a pre-honed razors, for me, always needed a bit more touch up. I am now branching out and buying hones and this has taken me another level. It is working out very well. I takes a little time to read and learn what is going to possible work for you in the way of hones. It all depends what you want to do and what works for you, for me it is the above approach.


Take Care,
R

Originally Posted by aroliver59

One might suggest that you not invest money on hones when you have not tried straight razor shaving.If you get a real "shave ready" razor honed by a pro,and a decent strop,you're good to go for literally a month or more.By then,you'll know if it's for you and you can get into honing when you're sure.

the only thing i would add to this is buy a cheap double arrow for $10 to practice honing on and when your good razor needs a hone you will be ready my son

Well, I think that you probably have all of the advise that you can sort through so I will just say WELCOME TO SRP!!!