Hellooo!!

Hello and Happy New Year SRP members!!

I am brand new to straight razors. For the past 2-3 years as a designer have gotten away with "trimming" my facial hair with a couple electric trimmers, I know what you are thinking, uuuugh.

Over Christmas my wife bought be a really nice Edwin Jagger DE and I'm loving that, but I've always wanted a straight razor. After doing a very little bit of research on materials and styles I landed here! I am a fairly avid knife collector and am interested to find and purchase my first SR and start shaving.

Though I am sure there is no "best" razor any recommendations of your favorite or suggested first razor would be appreciated. Maybe there are certain considerations like, weight, size, materials that help a first time user, please help!!

As for limitations, I would like to stay under $200 for razor and strop - I am open to new and used, in fact I saw some nice ones for sale in the classified section :).

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!! Looking forward to sharing my first shave highlights, maybe even a video if its not too bloody.

Cheers,
Marcus

Welcome to SRP!
Well if you are considering brand new many of our vendors have starter sets in that price range. Did you also get a brush at christmas? if so then you have more room in the budget for an upgraded razor. Boker, Thiers-Issard and Dovo would be the order of manufacturers i would look at. and a nice 3 inch strop.
Fancy razor do not shave better than cheaper models they just cost more. Starting out i would go with the low end new razors if buying new or sight unseen razors from whippeddog, before spending a lot of cash on a custom or fully restored vintage razor. lots of people damage their first razor and strop.

enjoy,
jim

Welcome to SRP Marcus!

As Jim indicated above, many of the Site sponsors have really good starter sets. I personally got a new Dovo Best Quality 5/8" full hollow from Straight Razor Designs I got the a 3" strop with it and everything was less than $130.

As Jim also mentioned you could check out whippeddog.I got my second SR from there and you really cantget a better SR for the price.
Welcome and make sure you read, read and read some more. Also remember that shaving with a SR has its ups and downs but mostly ups!!

Enjoy!!