Thread: The Starter Set Dilemma

Originally Posted by kaiyen

I now wonder if that question - "if they are all 'good,' should I just buy the cheapest of them?" would be acceptable on the forum.

thanks.
k.

I think that is the crux of the argument is that if they are all good how do you pick. Most say to pick the one that you like the best.. but if they all have black scales and shiny silver blades then what.. then I guess look at size as most recommend a 5/8 or 6/8 as a starting razor.. if they are all that as well then go with the less expensive and add that money to the additional items such as soap/strop/brush..etc.

I think the main problem is that everything in this hobby is more subjective than in most and in the majority of cases you can not just run to the local store and handle the item to see which feels better or smells to your liking.

That is probably why there are a lot of people that say look at the wiki is because it gives you a basis for that subjective decision. I have a feeling a lot of the original and older ( as in membership) members have seen so many of the similar posts if you catch them on a bad day they throw an RTFM out. Doesn't mean they are not helpful but they feel as if they have just stood there and kept talking to a 3 year old who keeps asking "Why?" for the last 30 minutes. Maybe next time they will be more graceful in their approach because they just finished shaving and are still in their meditative state but unfortunately we can't all stay in that happy place all day long.

I take all forum posts with a bucket of salt because text is emotionless and emoticons are not always the answer.

Originally Posted by Troggie

if they are all that as well then go with the less expensive and add that money to the additional items such as soap/strop/brush..etc.

all honesty, that right there is one of the most helpful single sentences I have read over the last 1.5 weeks (which doesn't sound like that long, but you all dont' know how obsessive I get :-) ). It's definitive, it gets to the point, and because I am "wise" enough to know that even your opinion is also just your opinion, I take that with a grain of salt and for the most part will stick to what you say but leave room for my own interpretation (maybe the one that is $10 more looks "prettier" and I want to indulge that part of my psyche).

It is a very subjective process, and the inability to handle these items is frustrating. I fully recognize that.

thanks.
k.