New Here... but not to shaving!

Hey everyone, new to the site. I received a straight razor shaving kit for Christmas last year and haven't used it yet as I've been wanting to learn about it more before I attempt it. The kit is made by Selective: Razor strop Co. New York. It consists of 2 straight razors, the first with a black handle that is sharper, and the second with a red handle that is not as sharp. It also comes with a leather belt and a white one that kinda looks and feels like a seat belt strap haha. I also have a hot foam/lather dispenser which I regularly use with Gillette shaving cream and dispense it as a hot foam. I began shaving with an electric razor when I was probably 15 and moved to the regular Mach series razors. Im now 21 and want to learn the art of using a straight razor, but do not want to mess up and cut myself to bad.

So, first off, do i have a crappy straight razor kit? Obviously I've looked at the prices and they are pretty cheap, I know quality matters, and that will effect the price of the shaving items. Should I invest in something else for a beginners kit?

Thanks guys!
-Conner

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A quick Google search showed a strop that looks like an Illinois clone. That should be good to get you started.
I'm not sure about the razors... Can you put up pictures, or link to something similar?

Welcome to SRP!

Edit: looking at more pics of Selective strops - some have what looks like Pleather, and some have leather that's really nasty looking, and I saw one with the bottom grain on the outside. So... Maybe it is luck of the draw with them?

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Originally Posted by HNSB

A quick Google search showed a strop that looks like an Illinois clone. That should be good to get you started.
I'm not sure about the razors... Can you put up pictures, or link to something similar?

Welcome to SRP!

Edit: looking at more pics of Selective strops - some have what looks like Pleather, and some have leather that's really nasty looking, and I saw one with the bottom grain on the outside. So... Maybe it is luck of the draw with them?

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Thanks for the welcome! I'll have pictures up shortly, uploading them from my cell phone. But okay in the past 5 mins I already learned some info, like the strop. It seems like actual leather, but I'm not 100% sure.

uploaded the pictures

Welcome to SRP. Unfortunately those are Pakistani made razors. IF you get an edge, it won't last a shave. The steel is not quality, trying to be polite. Look on the bright side, they're good box and/or letter openers.

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Originally Posted by Cove5440

Welcome to SRP. Unfortunately those are Pakistani made razors. IF you get an edge, it won't last a shave. The steel is not quality, trying to be polite. Look on the bright side, they're good box and/or letter openers.

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Oh and if you're thinking about it, they don't make good honing practice. They'll wear your hone and they won't take an edge, or the edge won't last if you somehow manage to get any sort of an edge. I'm speaking from experience because I purchased another brand of Pakistani razors and that's my experience.

The strop actually looks like it will be ok, as long as the leather is smooth when you use it (no way to tell that from the pictures).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cove5440

Welcome to SRP. Unfortunately those are Pakistani made razors. IF you get an edge, it won't last a shave. The steel is not quality, trying to be polite. Look on the bright side, they're good box and/or letter openers.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cove5440

Oh and if you're thinking about it, they don't make good honing practice. They'll wear your hone and they won't take an edge, or the edge won't last if you somehow manage to get any sort of an edge. I'm speaking from experience because I purchased another brand of Pakistani razors and that's my experience.

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Awesome, exactly the info I was looking for regarding the kit. I had a feeling it wasn't great. But I'd rather have some info about good razors rather than using some crappy Paki items

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HNSB

The strop actually looks like it will be ok, as long as the leather is smooth when you use it (no way to tell that from the pictures).

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The leather is actually smooth. Another question regarding the strop. What is the white one used for?

Guys... Straight Razor Users - SVTPerformance

Just wanted to show that I am letting other forums about SRP and the great camaraderie about sharing information. I also had a member PM me about sending me a beginners razor kit to get me started. I found this to be incredibly generous and outstanding that there are still people out there willing to help without having to give them anything. I passed this on to some friends and again to my usual automotive forums to see if I can't pass the word along.

The white is usually canvas, linen or something along that line. Is used before the leather. Some use it, some don't. I use mine only half the time as I find the leather is enough, but this is a personal thing.

Here's one good link: Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I'll post a couple more:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...straight_razor

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...sidered_bad.3F

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...azors_to_avoid

In my experience most any strop will work ok, so that strop should serve to learn on.

Apparently some Selective razors shave well and can hold an edge:
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59bNfHASzI0&feature=youtube_gdata_player