Thread: what should i get for a starter's razor?

you know what Ray, i think i'm gonna to do just that.. i've used classic before for my DE shaving and their service was good but i now think that they are one of the most expensive online store out there.
what's SRD? the shave den?
i might buy from vintage or gentleman's store, i'll have to ask robert from gentleman's store whether he has a guy that hones the blade or i'll have to find someone.
wow wfr , i just had a look at Glen's web site, real nice looking stuff ... your gong looked real nice and at a real good price too but it looks like all his razors are all sold out.
but i'll email him anyway , thanks

hey Ray , i just checked out that SRD web site and wow good stuff and good prices too.
i think i'll be giving them a call.
i assume their honemeister they use is top notch so i won't get a blood bath on my first try at SR shaving

Originally Posted by travelwell72

hey Ray , i just checked out that SRD web site and wow good stuff and good prices too.
i think i'll be giving them a call.
i assume their honemeister they use is top notch so i won't get a blood bath on my first try at SR shaving

Yeah, I think Lynn knows someone.

+1 On what Ray said, I bought my first razor from SRD , I pretty much opened the box and started using the razor that Lynn prepared for me. The classifieds are great now that I know a little something, but my first day and even first few weeks I had no idea what I was looking so I just opted to buy new.

thanks fellas,
just read the email from Don and i'm going to go with the tortoise basic razor set.
Do i need to upgrade to 3" strop or just stick to the basic 2" ??
and does upgrading to the premium leather REALLY makes such a big difference for a newbie like me or am i just wasting my money ? or just save it for later ?

For me the 3" leather was easier to use because it covered the length of the blade , I didnt have to do anything special except drag my razor back and forth. Im not sure what the quality of leather will do for you , but for me I only wanted to buy one strop so I bought a good one that also came with a practice strop.

thanks Mike, i'm just going to get that starter set from Lynn, it comes with a 2" Black Latigo Strop but i think i'll upgrade to a 3"
what hone did you buy? i sent Don an email asking about one of those combo 4000/8000 hones coz they don't seem to have those on their site.. is it not good, th combo hones with 2 diff grits ?
i figure i'll have to get a hone eventually anyway, so i might as well save on the freight charges and get it all at one time.

if you are looking for a new cheap quality blade try a wapi or double arrow and be sure to have it sharoened by a honemeister keep us posted and

I started out with a shavette, which was a great place for me to start. I got it for like $3 and spent a few months focusing on technique and not worrying about stropping and honing. While I was using the shavette I kept my eyes open on the classifieds and found a nice razor for $38 that was shave ready and picked up an Illinois 827 strop for $30. After a month or so, I sent it in to a honemeister and am hoping that will work for 6 months or so as I shave every other day. Next I'm planning to make a pasted strop which should have me good to go for a long long time. Good luck!

Originally Posted by travelwell72

thanks Mike, i'm just going to get that starter set from Lynn, it comes with a 2" Black Latigo Strop but i think i'll upgrade to a 3"
what hone did you buy? i sent Don an email asking about one of those combo 4000/8000 hones coz they don't seem to have those on their site.. is it not good, th combo hones with 2 diff grits ?
i figure i'll have to get a hone eventually anyway, so i might as well save on the freight charges and get it all at one time.

I didnt buy any hones, I had to much to learn and didnt want to complicate it with honing. Im still thinking that I would rather pay someone $20 every few months or so to hone for me. I dont have any interest or patience to sit there and hone, I dont even like sharpening my hunting knife. Not to mention being new I would not know if my shave technique was bad or my honing was bad , or if I didnt strop enough.