Quote Originally Posted by Chreees View Post
Hello all!

My name is Chris and I hail from Middle Tennessee (about to move back to West TN, however). I am just now starting to look at shaving with a straight razor, and I feel I have come to the right place to learn.

I've been using a Norelco electric for years and I'm just tired of it. Obviously I know the electric isn't the best, but I've just gotten used to never getting a close shave. Time for that to change!

I'm not looking to spend a whole lot starting out, especially since I'm about to be unemployed once I move here at the end of March. I have my eye on a few blades in the Classifieds section that are in the ~$50 range, but I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm just looking for something good, but not too pricey.

Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you guys!

-Chris
I see others addressed razors... Since you are switching from
a Norelco electric to a blade you have a choice of blade to get started.

While you are looking into blades, strops and honing options
give some attention to "lathering" or shave preparation.

Switching from an electric to blade takes a bit of doing.

You can get started for small amounts of cash by using
a single blade tossable like the Yellow Handle BiC for sensitive
skin razors..... they are budget and will let you focus on lathering
and letting your face get used to a blade.

The brush and soap are the same you will use with an open blade.
The tossable does not need a strop or for you to know how to
strop it.

Do avoid tossables with multiple blades. The multiple blade
razors can be very unfriendly to some faces.

I have friends that still use tossable razors but have discovered that
a hand crafted good shave lather and face preparation brought joy back into
their life.

The beginner wiki page outlines what you may need but it is important
to remember that a shave brush, shave soap and learning how to
use them pays big dividends in terms of the enjoyment of shaving
with any blade. So shaving with a tossable, cartridge, double edge, open straight
razor they ALL begin with face preparation and building a good lather.

Shave creams like Proraso (CO Bigelow) are easy for a beginner.
Soaps like Williams take practice but are inexpensive.

Brushes like the $8 VDH brush are OK but Omega 10098 Professional Boar shaving Brush
for $14 is better. Better yet for many is a small badger brush like a Van Der Hagen Badger
Brush or a Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush is often worth the extra investment.

So while you ponder the blade begin wet shaving with a common blade and
a good shave soap or cream.