My Introduction

Hi everyone,
I signed up just today and would also like to introduce myself.

My shaving background: I have used Mach3 since it hit the market a few years ago, and I have used a foam shaving lotion. I am not happy with it, and am pleased to see there is something better out there. I just bought a boar brush for now, but I am looking to get all the right supplies for straight razor wet shaving.

Will you comment on this shaving kit from The Executive Shaving Company?

http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/s...r-gift-set.php

here is the razor's info:
Cyril R Salter Straight Razor - Black

The Cyril R Salter Straight razor is manufactured in Solingen (Germany). The Solingen region produces the finest Straight razors around, with their unique "hardening" heat treatment allowing them to achieve the highest degree of hardness, elasticity and resistance to wear.

-The handle like most Straight razors is made of celluloid - Black.
-The blade depth is 5/8" and made of Carbon steel.



Best Regards,
Jeremy

Nice set, pretty too...how much is it?

Welcome to the group. Nice set. I haven't used the Salter brand, but $160 US sounds OK to me, you'd probably spend more buying everything separately. Just remember that new razors do not come shave ready. If you puchase it you'll need to have it honed before you try shaving with it. Some of the members here offer that service. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there is a learning curve to this. Once you get the hang of it you'll wonder why you ever shaved any other way. Be careful it is habit forming.lol

Sounds like a descent to quite good razor. I dont know any thing about the manufacturer, but I have a very strong opinion that any cutting edge must come from one of two places. Solingen, Germany or Sheffield, England. The only exceptions are select USA makers from the 1880's to about 1930. It is worth saying that the founders of the USA companies that I am talking about have thier roots in Solingen or Sheffield.

The strop is not a DOVO, but appears to be similar. I have a DOVO stropp and have been very happy with it. I do plan to improve with a tony miller stropp.

The brush appears to be badger, but not a silvertip. The silvertip is prefered by most, but not by all I am sure.

SUMMARY: Although I am not familiar with the set, my guess is that you are purchasing a quality set that you will be very happy with. Reguarding the price, I think the price is OK to maybe a bit on the high side. I do think you can do better. If I were to make a suggestion, if you are in the USA, you should check out Tony Miller. www.thewellshavedgentleman.com

Good luck and welcome to the club.

Jeremy, I'm relatively new to this also. That starter set looks very nice. A German razor, ceramic badger brush, and strop for around 140 USD? Not too bad in my book. Take the Wopman's (Richard) advice - have a honemeister hone it properly for you. You may want to consider a paddle strop with paste to prolong the time between honings (thewellshavedgentleman.com). Tony is the proprietor and he'll steer you in the right direction.

-Rob

Thanks guys for the mention.

The razor looks like the standard contract made Dovo. These come labeled for Timor, Fromm and others. Same black spine and tang. Fine razor. Maybe a Dovo strop as well and possibly even their brush as Dovo makes all of those types of items.

I have similar sets for a good bit less or you can piece together a nice outfit between me (The Well Shaved Gentleman), Classic Shaving and /or Knifecenter

Tony

That's a nice set for sure, but this:) includes a mug and soap, has just as nice a razor and an even better strop(oh god how I want one!!!). And this :D will even come pasted for maybe never needing to hone the razor ... EVER. :eek: The best is:

"As a favor I will gladly sharpen each razor before sending to give you a head start so you can concentrate on shaving first and sharpening later." Tony Miller :cool:

And he can make the paddle with many types of leather, even balsa wood I think, some kinda wood that I bet would work awesome with a 1 micron or 0.5 micron paste. Ask him. He'll tell ya.

I think Tony's got one of the best starter sets on the market. I think the only weak link is the brush. A great, shave ready razor, one of the best strops available, and all assembled by someone who actually uses a straight razor. I know that Tony uses a Burma Shave brush like he includes in the set, and I also have one, but that is probably the weakest part of the kit. Of course, he doesn't make the brush. Regardless, the "kit" is a great value, and I would recommend it to any of my friends who wanted to get started in straight shaving!

RT

You know if I was just starting now I would buy Tony's starter kit and be one happy man. That stuff looks great. You can tell it was put together by someone who shaves with str8's himself. Very well thought out.:cool:

Thanks guys. I can use a different brush but of course it adds to the cost and when I first started I was trying to keep this a $100 set. Better razors, pre-sharpening, leather costs, etc.... have pushed this up a bit so I have held off on the brush.


Let me ask you all this, would a Tweezerman brush appeal if you were starting out? I have one I use once in a while but it would add maybe $10 to the set. Any other choices?

Thanks again guys!
Tony