Howdy,

I have read over most of the faqs and newbie threads and am honestly more lost than I was before I started. The most important piece of advice that I have come across seems to be, don't go big/best with your first straight razor. I have therefore decided to purchase two, one cheap one now and an expensive one in a month or two (or whenever is recommended).

My father lived in another state when I was growing up so I basically learned to shave with my mom's pink bics, movies and tv for inspiration, and a lot of nicks and cuts for education. The first time I was sat down and taught to shave was in basic training, where I learned the magic of hot instead of cold/luke warm water, shaving cream/gel, and purchasing a new razor more than 3-4 times a year.

I do not know what aspects of my face and facial hair are important to consider, so I will list anything I can think of that may apply. I do not grow thick facial hair except in the mustache area and goatee area. I have sparse facial hair on my cheeks and sideburns (a full beard is an impossibility even though I am 26). I rarely get razor burn despite being cheap and using razors long past their prime and have had maybe 10 ingrown hairs on my face in my entire life. I have tried two electrics, one was about $50 and the other was about $225, and neither could cut my facial hair lower than a 5 o'clock shadow, regardless of the techniques, gels, creams, prayers, nor chants used. My facial hair grows at about half the rate of my peers (and my hair grows twice as fast, go figure.)

For both razors the blade is all that concerns me. The handle needs to be sturdy and dependable. Color, material, style, etc. does not concern me (no pink ones if you can help it, though); I want comfort and quality. So if the difference between two handles is $200 worth of glitz on the handle, I will take the cheaper one provided all other things are equal.

The first straight razor I want to buy simply needs to be high enough quality and last long enough for me to decide which way I want to go in size, grind, point, length, etc. with the second razor. I would prefer this razor to be new and under $100.

The second razor I want to buy needs to be perfect. I want a new one that will last long enough for my great grandson to drop and ruin when he starts to shave. I have bought two nice things for myself my entire life, the computer that I am using and the wedding ring for my wife (okay, it was for her a little bit too) and I want this straight razor to be the third thing. While I would like to keep it in the hundreds of dollar range, if I find perfection crests at $1,000 then that is the one for me. The only place that sells straight razors that aren't cheap plastic and don't have a blade edge indistinguishable from the spine only has one brand (I forget which brand, the store is for knife collectors) that has prices ranging from $150-600 depending solely on the handle. I want the very best straight razor I can afford. As I do not know exactly what type of razor I will be buying, multiple suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time,

~Rahk~