Thread: First Razor

I'm not familiar with that seller or brand of razor. I can't say if it's good or bad. I'd recommend the classifieds here, or the invisible edge in the UK. The guy's name is Steve, I believe. Neil Miller as well, stropshop..Both are good vendors. If you really want to get into this hobby, you should get something that's of known quality. There's a big learning curve with Straight razor shaving, from Lather building, to shaving technique, stropping technique, etc...

At least with known quality stuff, you can rule out the fact that it's your gear giving you trouble. As far as Paddles Vs Hanging, it really personal preference. For, and YMMV, I prefer a hanging strop for my daily shave. I use paddles for pastes. Pastes are used like hones, for touching up a dull blade....

Under normal circumstance, a blade should last for a few months before needing a touch up. Then, something like a Barber's hone would come in handy..Neil Miller at the strop shop usually has some..

I would go for a Dovo Cellidur black (price in Belgium 56 Euro). Start with this razor. You must be aware that in the beginning, you can damage your razor very quickly, you can hit the tap when you are rincing the blade, you can damage your blade while stropping etc. etc. And after 3 months, when you feel sure enough, you can buy a better razor...and you will feel the difference...
Good luck, and enjoy your shaving....

welcome to srp

this set you've linked to looks like all the other junk razor-shaped objects that are not capable of shaving. to me they look the exact same thing with just a new brand name put on them every so often.

paddle strops work just as well, actually they remove at least one more thing that a beginner needs to master - keeping a hanging strop tight.

how long can you keep your razor going? from 1 shave to hundred shaves depending on how well you execute the stropping itself, how good is your shaving technique, how good is your beard prep, etc...

unless you screw up the edge right away usually several weeks at the beginning (say 4-6), and longer later on. keep in mind that regaining the edge on a razor that was properly honed is immensely easier than making it shaving sharp to start with.

Don't buy that razor.
Try and find a starter kit from one of our vendors or maybe a nice vintage razor in the classifieds. It will cost more but you will have quality gear lasting the rest of your life.