I decided I would link together a few kits as recommendations just in case all the options are just too overwhelming and you just want to get started with a good setup that suits your budget and doesn't require hours of research on your part. All these items would be considered newbie friendly.
Ultra Budget DE Starter Kit
Razor: Feather Popular (Recommended vendor: Mancave) or try and snag a bargain vintage on trademe
Brush: #6 Horse Hair (Recommended vendor Bestshave.net)
Soap: Arko (Recommended vendor Bestshave.net)
Blades: I recommend trying the sampler pack from Bestshave since you are already having goods shipped from there and the pack contains a great selection of good quality cheap blades. Alternatively you can get the sampler pack from Mancave 25 blades (5x5) for $22. Or just pick up a 10 pack of "Home Brand" DE blades from any Countdown or Woolworths supermarket.
Budget DE Starter Kit
Razor: Merkur 1904 (Recommended vendor: Mancave) or snag a bargain vintage on trademe.
Brush: Badger - HJM pure badger (Recommended vendor - Mancave) OR Boar - Omega, any, but I can recommend the 10275 model available at most pharmacies in NZ for around $15. OR the Semogue 1305 (Recommended vendor -Mancave)
Soap: Proraso shaving cream (Recommended vendor: Mancave)
Blades: So long as you are at Mancave, avail yourself of a blade sampler pack or check my recommendations for vendors if you have a brand in mind already.
Money No Object, But Let's Not Be Silly About It, Starter Kit
Razor: Merkur 34C HD (Recommended vendor: Mancave) or check out eBay or trademe for a good condition vintage SuperSpeed or Gillette adjustable.
Brush: Muhle 91A31 (Recommended vendor: Mancave)
Soap: BlueBeard's Revenge (Recommended vendor: Goodfella)
Blades: So long as you are at Mancave, avail yourself of a blade sampler pack or check my recommendations for vendors if you have a brand in mind already.
Global Financial Crisis? What Global Financial Crisis? Starter Kit
You could go straight here: http://www.goodfella.com/wet-shaving-kit/ for Goodfella's own starter kit.
OR
Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89 (Recommended vendor Lee's Razors)
Brush: Semogue 2015 Badger Brush (Recommended vendor: Mancave)
Soap: Tabac (Recommended vendor: Mancave)
Blades: So long as you are at Mancave, avail yourself of a blade sampler pack or check my recommendations for vendors if you have a brand in mind already.
