Thread: Beginner Looking to Buy a Straight Razor Set

I want to get into straight razor shaving, it has piqued my interest. I'm having trouble looking for what to buy regarding an actual blade. I like the look of Spanish styled razors and square ones. I have also found this one 5/8 Square Point Blue Bell #99 - dark buffalo horn : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors. This one looks very well made. Where would be a good place to go buy a strop? Brush? Also had a question regarding Japanese wet stone. Can these be used for honing?

That's a very nice looking razor. The Shaving Shop sells good stuff. For a strop and brush probably the best resource is Straight Razor Designs.

Some Japanese whetstones can be used for razor honing, and some should not be. Was there something in particular you were considering?

Well I don't really know. I figured I would just buy a tool to hone my self but I
'm pretty lost on that subject. Do you think a 2" Strop would be sufficient for stropping? Or should I just go ahead and buy a 3"?
I did in fact go ahead and buy that razor that was mentioned in the OP

A 2" strop is fine. The most common old style strop was 2.5" but a 2" strop will work in the same manner.

If you start with a properly honed razor, then all you need for maintenance is a single hone. That can be an old barber hone, or a coticule, or a modern hone such as a Naniwa Specialty 12k hone.

I just got a nice 3in English bridal strop from SRD. Function is awesome as well as fit and finish. I've used a 2.5 in and it worked fine. For me the 3in works better.

Originally Posted by vramirez

Well I don't really know. I figured I would just buy a tool to hone my self but I
'm pretty lost on that subject. Do you think a 2" Strop would be sufficient for stropping? Or should I just go ahead and buy a 3"?
I did in fact go ahead and buy that razor that was mentioned in the OP

I would suggest that if you are lost when it comes to honing don't buy anything until you do understand. There are lots of ways you can keep your razor shaving but what is right for you.

Start with a shave ready razor and send it out the first couple times till you have a grasp on shaving and what will suit your needs. It will also let you know what a shave ready edge feels like for when you do start maintaining yourself.