Thread: Newbie after advice

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum and considering the move to straight shaving. Currently using a DE. I already have brushes and creams and soap. Because I don't know if I will stick to it I don't want to spend lots of money to start with. I have been suggested this kit from RupRazor. Is this a good option to start with, to get a feel for it. I'm aware that being a beginner I don't really want the BEST gear just yet as I may damage it by incorrect stropping technique and such.

I'm from UK, so I'm trying to limit purchases outside of the UK, although I'm aware this link is for a US supplier.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Welcome to SRP.

Take a look at the beginners' guide in the Wiki (see my signature) and the "beginner on a budget" article referenced therein.

You might want to postpone your puchase until after I've ripped my latest shipment out of German customs' greedy hands. If it contains what I think it contains, you'll get something better than a Chinese razor by ways of giving back to SRP what our member oldblades gave to me. To avoid confusion, this is *not* a sales push, gentlemen.

That said, there are basically three choices:

1. A vintage from the Classifieds and some strop.

2. The Gold Dollar / cheap strop combo.

3. One of SRD's starter kits (or something similiar from another vendor, although you will be hard pressed to find the same deal for a better price).

Being in the UK, you will at least be able to obtain soaps and creams on the cheap (cf my review of Edwin Jagger's Aloe Vera line in the soap and aftershave review forums). Also, the invisible edge is UK based and might have something in stock for you.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Regards,
Robin

If you are in the UK, a good place to look at would be: www.invisibleedge.co.uk

Correction: www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

You might want to postpone your puchase until after I've ripped my latest shipment out of German customs' greedy hands. If it contains what I think it contains, you'll get something better than a Chinese razor by ways of giving back to SRP what our member oldblades gave to me. To avoid confusion, this is *not* a sales push, gentlemen.
Robin

I'm interested in this.

Thanks all so far for your replies

Welcome to SRP. I can speak from experience in terms of The Invisible Edge and recommend the honing services and razors. The proprietor,blueprinciple, is a member here. Also in the UK is forum member Neil Miller. He sells handmade strops here and knows his way around a hone as well.

To get a good head start on correct stropping I found this 1961 barber manual excerpt here in the SRP Wiki help files invaluable.

Thanks all for your replies so far. I saved the links as bookmarks for future reference. I already had some of them, its much better when people are recommended rather than just being found through a search on the net.

I'm a noob here too, have about 2-3 shaves. I'm starting with the ruprazor kit.

My observations so far

Razor - blade is good and sufficiently sharp and great to cut anything. The scales are cheap and feel it but remember its a 40 dollar razor your not getting a hot looker. Plus scales are only to hold the blade when not shaving.

Strop - feels like a really quality piece for 20 bux it costs. Long/wide enough and cheap enough if you nick it (which you very likely will... i thought I might not but did a few tiny ones). It's a great starter piece.

If you wanna try straights on a budget this is a great starter. I like it and figure its a tiny investment to see if I wanna stick to it which I likely will. Then worst case I have a cheapy travel razor that I wont worry about if lost.

My 2c, but everyone has to decide for themself. best of luck.

Jon

Thanks everyone for your input. I have ordered the filly strop from ruprazor while BeBerlin is supplying me with a vintage razor. I'm quite excited. No doubt I'll start a thread with my progress once everything turns up.