Total straight razor beginner

Hi guys,my names Daniel, im 20 years old and from Scotland.

As the title suggests i am new to the straight razor world and have recently purchased a package from ebay

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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270633786723&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

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It seems like a basic piece of kit. It came with 2 razors, black-red paste and a leather strop.

I have read many websites that say i shouldnt use both pastes on the same strop but the info i got with the razors says i can use the red on the rough side and the black on the smooth side which confuses me so any help on that would be great. Just wanted to say a little hi =)

I am sorry to say but it will not really matter what you do with the strop paste and strop as you will not be able to get a edge on they razors anywhere near sharp enough, and I bet the strop will be about the same use.
I hope this does not put you off, there are a coupe of well respected Uk websities that will sell a good quality new or vintage razor that will come shave-ready

strop shop
invisable edge

both members here and good to deal with, you will also need a brush and soap. hope you enjoy your journey:)

Thanks pedro. I knew the quality of the prduct wasnt gonna be that good but it would do as a test of technique if nothing else i thought. I will look into the sites you provided aswell as looking what members are selling so i can get good stuff =)

'From' Scotland (said w/ a bit of jealousy) Are you there now?

I wonder if we might have other forum members that would be able to help w/ honing - maybe some tutorial assistance.

Somewhere on this site is a google map showing where forum members are.

'Hope you're able to connect and make it enjoyable. If the strop is servicable, sending a blade to someone for honing is usually pretty inexpensive - and a really good idea. Add soap and a brush and you're in business.

You'll find folks here are wonderful (and patient) with questions from beginners. If there was a such a thing as a dumb question or dumb mistake - I've probably made it several times. I've not found higher quality of help or better quality of attitudes on any other forum of any topic.

'Hope you get to enjoy great shaves very soon.

Hi pinklather, i'm realy from Scotland, born and raised =).

I'm hoping to get stuff sorted soon so i can start learning.

From what i've read so far on different posts, everyone seems realy nice and friendly which is realy good for a beginner like myself

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Originally Posted by pedro083

I am sorry to say but it will not really matter what you do with the strop paste and strop as you will not be able to get a edge on they razors anywhere near sharp enough, and I bet the strop will be about the same use.
I hope this does not put you off, there are a coupe of well respected Uk websities that will sell a good quality new or vintage razor that will come shave-ready

strop shop
invisable edge

both members here and good to deal with, you will also need a brush and soap. hope you enjoy your journey:)

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Pedro speaks the truth. Luckily, the person you bought that set from has a 100% money back guarantee if not satisfied. I suggest you take him up on this.

Here is why, cheep razors are made with an inferior steel that even the best honemeister would have problems getting a nice smooth edge on, and even if it got a good edge, it wouldn't last longer than the first few passes.

Now, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to try out straights either, but what is mandatory is getting a decent razor and strop. Right now you have neither.

Check out invisibleedge if you want to get something near you. If you want new, then dovo makes some great, inexpensive starter razors. If you want vintage, you can do that too.

If you want something more inexpensive, then check out the classifieds, whipped dog, or restored razor.

Ruprazor also makes some great starter strops.