Thread: Opinions on first purchase

I've been wanting to try a straight razor for a while now, and I'm thinking of asking the wife for one for Christmas. I've just started looking around these forums and ebay, and I'm wondering what everyone thinks...

What do you think about the beginner kits at The well shaved gentleman - http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.c...g?categoryId=5 ? Is it worth the cost? Are there better/cheaper razors for beginners?

Should I just buy a nicer Ebay razor and have it honed, then buy a strop?

Obviously I want a nice setup, but I don't want to spend a fortune. Thanks for the input.

~Jim

You'd be getting a great deal on the kit, but I'd wait for Tony to release the new set that includes both a hanging strop and a paddle strop. You could use the paddle strop to maintain the sharpness of your razor for a year without the need to take it to the hones. If you want an E-bay razor to be in a great shape and honed, it will cost you at least as much as Tony's stock razor. You'd be getting a fair price on this one. Your other option is to wait for a deal comparable to those $35 Fillys, but they'd still need to be honed and you may save about $10 on the whole shabang. Not worth the wait.

I have not listed the combo set yet as I was thinking about doing a Special for new (and old) SRP members for a few weeks especially with Xmas coming and lots of guys for gift ideas to tell their wives and girlfriends (or both <g>) about.

I'll make a post in the Vendors section describing the limited time special.


Take care,
Tony

Originally Posted by jimmyray

I've been wanting to try a straight razor for a while now, and I'm thinking of asking the wife for one for Christmas. I've just started looking around these forums and ebay, and I'm wondering what everyone thinks...

What do you think about the beginner kits at The well shaved gentleman - http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.c...g?categoryId=5 ? Is it worth the cost? Are there better/cheaper razors for beginners?

Should I just buy a nicer Ebay razor and have it honed, then buy a strop?

Obviously I want a nice setup, but I don't want to spend a fortune. Thanks for the input.

~Jim

Let me just say Tony is the man. I have one of his 4 sided paddle strops and I love it.

The starter set from Tony Miller has one very important feature.
The razor is honed! and shave ready. It is difficult to understate the importance of this. Many new guys make the mistake of trying to hone a new razor and then they become very frustrated and quit. Start with a pre-honed razor.

Just my two cents,

Thanks for all the input. I'll be looking for Tony's deal this weekend!

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

... especially with Xmas coming and lots of guys for gift ideas to tell their wives and girlfriends (or both <g>) about.

I'll second what Ilija, Rich and Randy have said. Tony's starter kits are the best deal around because the goods are top drawer and good to go at the best prices available. Great guy to deal with as well.

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