Group,

Firstly - this is just my opinion.

I beleive from my past experience, and from reading many of the posts from beginners, there are a number of elements that are interplaying when a beginner is trying to select their starter set and I believe through the experience of SRP we can help.

Here is what I believe is happening.

Many, including myself when I started, like the way straight razor shaving equipment looks, but do to lack of experience, don't understand how the equipment will function. And, additionally, if you buy a complete starter set (razor, brush, strop, soap etc.) the cost is such that a beginner considers:

"If I really like this, how far will the equipment take me before I want to upgrade, and what is the cost difference between what I am about to spend for starter equipment and an upgrade".

In addition, because we are susceptable to being distracted by shiny objects and the desire to posess scarce commodities, people see the really nice old razors senior members have, and would like to be part of "the club" that owns them.

All of these elements go through a beginner's mind and adds to the starter equipment purchase dilemma.

Almost without fail, every time a beginner asks what set to start with, it results the following from the senior shavers:

1. Read the beginner shaver Wiki.
2. Yes, that DOVO Best or Special is a very good starter razor.
3. That set looks good, but upgrade the strop to a 3".
4. Don't worry about hones at this point.
5. Buy Shave Ready
6. Stay away from e-bay at this point - you don't know enough.
7. Buy a Shave Ready razor from one of the members here in the classified.
8. At this point, as a beginner, you will not notice the difference between an $80.00 Dovo and a $750.00 Livi.

There are probably others, but these are about 99% of the responses given to the new folks. I have no idea how many people ingore the advice, but people being what people are, I'm sure there are more than a few.

So, I think we can help. Maybe publish these responses. Maybe have a SRP "Club Kit" or "Starter Kit". I understand that cost is still a factor here, but if the goal is to keep this art alive and have as many people participate as possible. This might be a way to help.

Any other ideas?

David