Have a little help from my friends....

here at SRP...

I'm sure this has been asked a zillion times and everyone has an opinion.

Maybe if I asked it this way:

For my first SR kit....what do I need to stay away from? Brand wise? Product wise?

I don't want to nor can I invest a lot. $50 is my max for a razor, which I've found a number of for that on the classifieds here. Yet, I don't know what brands are good, etc. Are some better than others for a beginner? Some hold edge better?

I'm assuming I would want a shave ready razor.??

It is my understanding that honing be done by pros and that it shouldn't need it very often.

As the owner I however, will have to strop the blade. What should I get for that?

A razor and leather strop, is that all I need? I think someone said I need a fabric strop with some stuff put on it.

There needs to be a beginners handbook somewhere.

So...

What does one need to begin their SR journey?

What SR's should I not even consider, if any?

What do I need to find in a strop? Where does one get a strop?

Hey Rick, welcome to SRP! I'm no expert, but I can answer a couple of these...As the Wiki can, too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rickboone

here at SRP...

I'm sure this has been asked a zillion times and everyone has an opinion.

Maybe if I asked it this way:

For my first SR kit....what do I need to stay away from? Brand wise? Product wise? Check the Wiki for brands to avoid...

I don't want to nor can I invest a lot. $50 is my max for a razor, which I've found a number of for that on the classifieds here. Yet, I don't know what brands are good, etc. Are some better than others for a beginner? Some hold edge better? Good razors are good razors. But I hear GENCOs are GREAT for begginners! ;)

I'm assuming I would want a shave ready razor.?? Yes.

It is my understanding that honing be done by pros and that it shouldn't need it very often. Yes. Maybe.

As the owner I however, will have to strop the blade. What should I get for that? A strop! Ba dum-bum. The wiki can help here, but there are some good options--SRD, Tony Miller, RupRazors (especially for budget priced strops), Kanayama...

A razor and leather strop, is that all I need? I think someone said I need a fabric strop with some stuff put on it. The jury is out as to whether you NEED a fabric strop, but you don't need any "stuff" on it.

There needs to be a beginners handbook somewhere. There is. It's called the wiki! ;)

So...

What does one need to begin their SR journey?

What SR's should I not even consider, if any?

What do I need to find in a strop? Where does one get a strop?

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"What does one need to begin their SR journey?"

+ 1. First off, welcome to SRP! I think JimR has answered most of your questions, however, to answer your question above, you will need a lot of patience. Learning to shave with a straight razor takes time and the learning curve can be a tad steep and painful if you rush it. Be sure to read Lynn's post in the Newbies forum, "First straight shave-read first" If you follow his advice, you will save yourself a lot of frustration and razor burn.

P.S. Invest in a stypic pencil as well. :)

Yes, the questions were very well answered. Thank you all kindly. I'm going to try to find that post in the Newbies corner now.

Rick,

Apart from the beginner's guide in the Wiki (see my sig), you will probably find this article useful (although it is still work in progress): Buying a beginner's set on a budget - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards,
Robin

The best is to work it out for yourself - the more legwork you do the cheaper it'll be. But here's what I would do if I were you-
Straight Razor- buy shave ready from the classifieds
Strop- classifieds, or if you know you're gonna get a better one later, buy a TM and get the $8 practice strop option
VDH soap kit
OR
Kenrup sells a starter razor and strop setup for $60, the starter strop itself is $20.

Obviously you can upgrade as necessary, but thats basically all you NEED at a bare minimum. VDH set (bowl, soap, brush)- $10, Filly (kenrup's strop)- $20, Classifieds razor- you budgeted $50- $80 total. (if you got the VDH set and Kenrup's set it would only be $70...)

Hiyah Rick and Welcome to SRP :) +1 on the advice given,be patient and enjoy the journey :)