Hello from the Philippines!

[mattreed]

Hi Everyone,

I'm an English guy living in Asia for the last 13 years. Just started with a shavette a friend gave me about 6months ago and love it. I shave my head as well as my face.

I'm in the market for my first razor and have been looking at the start up kits. I guess it's just a case of pick one and go for it. The thing that concerns me most is stropping and honing as I don't think there's anyone in this country I'd be able to get it honed with, so I need to figure out my stroping well from the get go... I think I read somewhere about getting a "practice" strop as you'll probably trash your first one. Is that a good idea and where do I find a cheap strop to practice on?

Thanks for all the info and I look forward to an exciting straight razor future ahead!

Matt.

[Datsots]

Welcome to SRP

A shave ready kit is well worth the investment. Learning to strop on a paddle strop or a hanging strop laid on a flat surface is a good way to start. Almost everyone ruins at least one strop. Starting with a plain smooth piece of leather is good, but you could also get a strop with replaceable components.

Jonathan

[Walterbowens]

Hi, and welcome to SRP. I would buy the SRD modular paddle strop.

[k5MOW]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Roger

[Speedster]

Welcome to SRP, Matt! I too would recommend the SRD Paddle Strop. The replacement leathers are very affordable should you slice one up while practicing stropping. However, if you strop slowly and methodically, I doubt you will ruin your first strop. Strop damage usually occurs when one strops faster than one's ability to strop.

[lz6]

Welcome to the forum Matt. Wetshaving Supplies in Metro Manila | Ships to anywhere in the Philippines is an ebay store with shaving supplies located in the Philippines. Address and phone number available on their website. I don't know if a brick and mortar may exist as well. Good luck.

[mattreed]

Thanks guys for the feedback - I looked at sets on the SRD but many of them seem to be out of stock. Can you give me your feedback on these options -
Boker 5/8 Tree Brand w/ Brown Canvas Micarta
Dovo 5/8 Col. Ichabod Conk Straight Razor Red
Dovo 5/8 Straight Razor and Strop Set

I will probably still get the modular strop from SRD but would much appreciate any feedback about the worthiness of these sets.

Regards,

Matt.

[Haroldg48]

Welcome! I second the recommendation on getting a modular paddle strop. That way you can replace any of the stropping material that you damage. Of course you cold also get a strop that's assembled with Chicago screws and could replace that material too if damaged badly. IMHO though, it's easier to learn without doing damage on a paddle strop.

On Razors and kits, you may want to look at some available here: Vintage Blades LLC :: Straight Razors

[Phrank]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Great place, lots of information, and mainly great people.

In terms of the sets you have listed, I got my first Dovo set from the Classic Edge, great shop, great people, and Phil (the owner) takes great care to ensure his blades are shave ready. Any of those sets will be fine, just pick which one you like the best. I still have everything from that starter set and have no complaints. If you're going to order, you might want to add a metal razor stand, very convenient to hold your razor when you're not using it, also to set it up in order to properly let the razor air dry...just good to have IMO.

Good luck!

[eddy79]

Hi and welcome. Most of the SRD hanging strops have replacement linen and leather so once you are done learning you can simply replace any damaged pieces. Laying the strop down on a table to start with will take the tension variable out and once you are comfortable stropping just hang it and move on from there. As for honing try to learn refreshing your razor first as you can go a long time before needing a full hone if you keep the edge in good condition. Something like the naniwa 12k is perfect for this. Good luck