Wanting to take the next step

Hi

I popped in around April this year to lurk and ended up buying a Shavette wanting to concentrate on the actual shaving part of shaving rather than the surrounding paraphernalia.

Well now I've healed from my cuts and started to preach to those around me how much better things are than before and would like to step up a bit and need advice on my next purchase.

I'm in the UK and the price of new is quite putting my off, I need a razor and strop, i have brushes and soap that i like, I understand that I should buy shave ready but how long will it last before I need to send it to be honed and who in the UK could help me with that?

Welcome, I too am a newbie straight shaving about 3 weeks. As of now my razor is still shave sharp. I am sure that the experts will provide much more information as to how long before you will need to have razor honed.

Check the classifieds for shave ready razors. Be sure that what ever razor you buy is shave ready. You can also check Ruprazor.com as he has a razor and strop reasonabley priced.

Enjoy.

Lu

Would that be the Gold Dollar Razor and Filly Strop?

Don't be afraid of buying from another country. I'm here in the US and I bought a razor from a guy in Japan and the shipping was included in the price of the razor. Some guys will ship them for free. Also, you can learn how to hone. After you get to know how the razor is when it is shave ready you can hone them yourself.

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Originally Posted by Screwtape

Hi

I popped in around April this year to lurk and ended up buying a Shavette wanting to concentrate on the actual shaving part of shaving rather than the surrounding paraphernalia.

Well now I've healed from my cuts and started to preach to those around me how much better things are than before and would like to step up a bit and need advice on my next purchase.

I'm in the UK and the price of new is quite putting my off, I need a razor and strop, i have brushes and soap that i like, I understand that I should buy shave ready but how long will it last before I need to send it to be honed and who in the UK could help me with that?

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First of all, welcome back and good to hear from you!

I'm based in the UK as well (London) and I can see your problem finding the kit..!

If you cant find what you're looking for in the classifieds here then you can try some of the sites I mention below. All are UK based.

Check out The Invisible Edge:

Introduction to razors

Steve also offers razor honing via this site:

Home

And he has a site that sells Thiers Issard razors as well:

Home

You could also check out Charles Nicholls, though their razors wont come shave ready so you'll need to send it out for a honing:

Shaving accessories, quality gentlemens shaving products, shaving accessories UK

These other sites are also UK based:

Shaving products, brushes, gentlemens shaving products, shaving accessories UK

Welcome to Geo F Trumper

The Invisible edge sells a DOVO "Best Quality" for £56.66 inc. P&P, honed and ready to go (and Steves razors are SHARP when you get them!) and the turn around is pretty fast. I ordered my Bismarck from him on a Monday and I had it on the Wednesday.

He also sells strops, as does Charles Nicholls.

In terms of how long the edge lasts before needing a touch up, it does depend on your beard, but my Black Star lasted about 5 months before I touched it up.

You can touch it up with a pasted strop or barber hone to refresh the edge, but eventually it will need re-honing. This will also depend on your beard but could be any time from 6 months to a couple of years, dependant on how you look after the razor.

In terms of honing, you can send it to Steve at the Invisible Edge, Trumpers also offer a honing service if you're in London or you can look in the classifieds here. If it comes to it, you can mail it to me and I will touch it up for you free of charge, though I will say that I'm by no means a honemeister. I can touch my edges up to suit me, but the pro's will more than likely do a better all round job..! But if you're interested PM me.

Let us know how you get on and good luck! :gl:

EDIT: And as the other posters have said here, dont be afraid to buy from other countries! I've made purchases form SRD (both a razor and hones) and the service is second to none!

Gents thank you very much, quite a bit of info and I appreciate that you've nicely condensed it here for me. I'm going to head off and do some research now but I exect I'll be back with a few more questions

Steelforge I'd be interested to read your better reply, if you can write one that was a pretty comprehensive post

The classifieds are great. You can get some fantastic prices on shave ready razors, but do bear in mind that you will be likely to incur customs charges from outside the EU.
As mentioned, Steve at The Invisible Edge is a good resource for British based supplies. He also hones & does basic restorations.