A beginner just starting out, I need some advice please

Hi everyone, I've been using Gillette razor for a while but find that after a couple shave they go blunt and they give me lots of spots so I was advised to start using straight razors with a good quality shaving cream. I've been looking at some of the information and I feel I could get a better experience use straight razors, but the problem is I'm from the England and I done know any reliable websites where I can buy good quality equipment. Does anyone know some good UK websites or sites the ship good internationally?

I use to shave with a Mach 3. It would dull in a couple of shaves and give an "acceptable" shave, but nothing special. It would also give me an ingrown pimple that took 7-10 days to clear and this seem to happen twice per month, which was frustrating to me.

After getting into straight shaving, this never happened and as my technique got better, I get the best shaves of my life over and over again. The best decision I made for myself the year I got started straight shaving.

As to where to buy, check out the vendors who advertise on SRP. The classifieds are also a decent way to get straight razors to get started.

Check out the SRP Wiki to get informed to get started. Given the exchange rate of the pound vs. the dollar, you have a nice advantage.

Welcome to SRP and good luck! Everyone is here to help you out.

Pabster

Welcome to the forum. You might try www.theinvisibleedge.com
He's in the UK...

Welcome to SRP. There are two websites that I know of in the UK that furnish razors and equipment. Neil Miller's Strop Shop here and Steve Dempster's Invisible Edge here .

Check out the SRP Wiki beginner's guide here for more great info and don't give up on the DE too quickly. It is a good adjunct to the straight razor while you're learning. :gl:

Rometh,

Welcome and hello form Hastings :)

+1 on Mr Dempster & Mr Miller - they are great chappies to do business with.

For safety razors, blades, soaps, creams, aftershaves etc, I can highly recommend Connaught Shaving (www.connaughtshaving.com)

If you are into vintage safety razors, give Mr Glynn a look (www.safetyrazors.co.uk).

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Rometh,

As for soaps & creams, I love Crabtree & Evelyn. They have 3 shave soaps: Nomad, Sienna, Sandalwood. They have companion shaving creams for Nomad & Sandalwood. For some strange reason they don't make the Sienna in a cream. (I use Truefitt & Hill unscented shave cream with the C&E Sienna soap).

Premium Gifts | Hand Care Products | Bath and Body | Luxury Toiletries | Crabtree and Evelyn

Good luck. Trust me, you'll quickly become a straight razor addict. I can't keep my hands off my face during the day. Firstly, I'm addicted to the BBS shave, and secondly I secretly hope to feel some stubble so I have an excuse for shaving again:)

+1 for invesible edge, depends on your budget but I've bought a couple of TI's from Steve and they are first rate. Steve Dempster is also a superb honemiester and very helpful.

All the best from this Brit, and feel free to pm me on any matter.