Thread: help with finding a good straight razor

hi everyone looking to buy a good quality razor and strop set something that would not break the bank but something usable my missus bought me a mens rock razor and strop cant get a good enuf edge for shaving with it and the strop is not great either its cheaply made (to be honest its like trying to shave with a butter knife)

any help finding a good razor set for someone starting out

First sticky in the Beginner's forum: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html

Then read the rest. Read, watch, ask and listen. Many of us here to help.

Oh. Don't buy yet, but here's one of many fine entries in our Library that includes info on buying:
The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Library

There are a lot of razors that go through the classifieds on a regular basis, many at very good prices. Keep an eye on that spot and cruise the vendors looking for something that appeals to you, look at the 5/8 and 6/8 razors. Half hollow would likely be the best but you can certainly learn with a full hollow without great challenges. Stay away from very thin or very wide razors is also a good plan. If you want to you can ask about specific razors and there is no shortage of honest opinions around here.

I'd 'second' the idea of buying from the classifieds here. All most all of my razors have come from guys on this forum and all have been excellent. There's some NICE razors in the classifieds right now.

In regards to a strop, I highly recommend a Neil Miller strop. The one I have (English Bridle and linen) is really beautiful. It wasn't cheap when I got it, but it was well worth the cost. I just checked the site and he even has strops down to 12 pounds. I don't use my 'good' Miller strop everyday, I use an old Dovo.

I guess 'breaking the bank' is a bit of a relative term. An actual monetary range would be more helpful. However, if you got the razor I was looking at in the classifieds and the cheaper Miller strops it'd be less than 200 buckeroonies...

Thanks guys i was looking at a dovo and a dovo xl strop but its in the region of 200 euro id be topped at 100 for the time been. Was looking at the aviano bros razor in the for sale section. Is the site for neil miller neilmiller.com

Is this the web site you are looking for?
Vintage Straight Razor Sales & Restorations, Hand Made Strops, UK Razor Honing and Vintage Hone Stones

Id say thats the one cheers

You could get a great set up for 100 euro if you go with a vintage razor. The main thing is to make sure it is truly shave ready. Most of the razors on the classifieds here are, if in doubt, ask the seller. Avoid ebay and go for respected vendors and members here. The razor you have is probably an RSO, or razor shaped object. Best of luck.