I currently do not own a straight razor but I am hoping to get one for my birthday coming up. I currently am using a Gillette Mach 3 Power. The blade cartridges are expensive and they leave so much irritation that I can only shave once a week. By the end of the week I have quite a bit of growth and it uses up one cartridge, even trimming with an electric razor first. The little fade strip to tell you when you need to change the razor is gone after one shave and I don't press that hard.
I'm 25 and have had real facial hair for around 5 years. I bought a straight razor about 6 years ago from a knife shop in a mall. I had no idea how to use it, and after reading on straight razors now, it probably wasn't sharpened. I didn't cut myself and my stropping was all over the place like the movies.
My face hurts so much and itches all the time, that if I don't get it for my birthday I will probably fork out the money myself.
I was wondering about some kits. A cheaper razor, badger hair brush, cream, and a strop. If anyone can send me some links that would be great. I have been looking all over and none of the sets have enough description on everything, either they describe the blade or the brush but not both.
Or if you know some inexpensive individual items that would be great. Thank you guys.