Thread: Help Choosing First Razor, Strop and all the rest

Hi all,

My name is peter green.

I've been looking into straight shaving for the past few days, and kind of blocked and don't know exactly where to start because of low / no knowledge.

I need help in choosing my first "gear", and on of my problems is that i'm from Israel, and there aren't much things here.
I only found one store that sells a few Dovo razors for a pretty high price.

So i basically want help in choosing my first razor, strop, brush, soap/cream, mug. (Recommend thing's i missed).
I ask to be pointed to places that ship Worldwide, so shipping to my country will be available, amazon for example don't ship to israel.

I read that Ebay is not recommended, is it also not recommended for knew blades? or just used ones?

I'd prefer to get some kind of kit that includes at least most of the things i'll need, i prefer a true shave ready razor, and i prefer a new razor.
If there will be no good and reasonably priced option, i can send it to friends in the us, and they'll bring it to me, but this is my least favorite option.

I haven't really put a budget to this, but i'd like to keep it reasonable, i'm not sure about the exact prices so i'm not naming my price range just yet.

Hope to hear your recommendations

To get started properly and assemble a full kit check out Straight Razor Designs.

Aloha and welcome to SRP Peter. You might want to check here, STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Home page this is the site of one of members manah he lives in Israel. He usually has restored razors for sale, contact him he might razors available or be able to point you in the right direction.

First of all, thank's to everyone who's helping.

So i tried do build myself up a small start set, and i came up with this, its a bit of expensive, but i'm not sure i want to buy a used unseen razor, i feel like it's taking a chance with something i know nothing about, i'm afraid of being disappointed.

This is what a chose so far, i went with one of the cheapest dovo razors + strop set, but took the 3' strop as i understood that as a beginner i'll have harder time with a 2'.
I randomly chose an unexpensive brush and shaving cream, because i didn't have to much time researching these.

The total price came up to 182 + 40(shipping) = 222$

Am i going to far for the beginning? Should i go down a notch and maybe take the 57$ / 48$ unseen deal from whipped dog for the beginning, or any other suggestions?
The price difference wont be much, because i'd still need to buy the cream and brush and pay for shipping, so thats 94 for cream and brush and shipping + 58 + shipping (not sure how much).

The difference without being accurate is around 60$, and that means a used razor

Hope to hear your thoughts,
Thanks again!

I don't think you would go wrong with either. If your wallet allows you to get a new one then go for it. I might go to whipped dog and buy a poor mans strop for practice in case you nic it up at first you won't nick up your better one. The kit you assembled is about all you need to get started. I would add a styptic pencil to that though for nics and cuts. When you first learn to strop I would lay the strop on a flat surface like a counter and strop that way. It ensures the strop is flat and tight and you will likely nic it less. Over time your muscle memory will kick in and you can hang the strop. Looks like you are good to go though. Are you getting all that Straight Razor Designs?

Peter, Welcome to SRP.
I've sent you email yet.