Thread: New to straight razor shaving and loving it!!!

Namely, For years now I have been toying with the idea of shaving with the straight razor. I even looked it up couple a years ago and was turned of by the prospect of buying something( and ones I liked where not cheap) and in the end not being able to learn how to use it. That coupled with a possibility of getting hurt in the process turned me off. Until a few days ago.
I walked by The Art Of Shaving store. I stopped in thinking this would be where one will find a straight razors and would be able to handle one. Well to my disappointment the salesman told me those are on order basis only and showed me a catalog. While I was thumbing through the catalog he mentioned that a Shavette might be the way to go for a first time straight razor. After he told me it was only $50 or so I said Yes! Picked up a Dovo Shavette, watch a video on you tube on how to shave with straight razor and started to shave. Thinking to myself " This could all go horribly wrong!" and lo and behold it did not. The level of satisfaction of looking at my self in the mirror(stupid grin on my face and all) after that first shave, I cannot describe(even though you could tell that one side was shaved better than other). Long of it short now I cannot wait for my beard to grow, I actually look forward to shaving in the morning.
Now naturally I want the real deal. I always used a brush and soap for lather(the drug store deal) so a Strop and razor is all I'm looking for right now. I guess I can use my shavette as back up "Razor" when I have to send one to be honed. What kind of strop should I get (grade, type etc..) For intrinsic reasons I would like antique razor, in very good shape. I have been looking around at the classifieds here and elsewhere. I am kind of stuck on a Red Point that Bobsrazors.com has for sale or something like restored antique razor like this

J.A.Henckel Twin Works 5/8 Straight Razor

Wondering if this would be good choice for now? If not what would you guys suggest?
I Have budgeted $300 at this time. In all honesty all the info on this site is overwhelming so little help from people that have been in the same spot I am now, would be appreciated. I could use all the advice in the world and if you have a razor for sale or know of one that you think would be suitable for me let me know.
Thank you in advance MO

Since you have all the gear you need other than a strop and razor, I'd say look at one of the strops from Straight Razor Designs. You'll probably nick and cut it up while you learn how to strop, but the fabric and leather components are replaceable (just undoing some screws and screwing them back in) and not expensive. I just got mine last week and I LOVE it.

Getting that would still leave you around $250 for your razor. You could certainly find a vintage one on the classifieds here for that, or get the one from Classic Edge if it's priced right (I cant follow the link you posted at the moment). Phil at Classic Edge hones each one before they go out, so it's definitely going to be shave ready.

Two pieces of advice on that- Make sure you get one that is shave ready from a reputable source (a quick check here will tell you for sure) and don't strop it before the first use... that way you'll know what a shave ready razor should feel like. Knowing that will help you determine if your razor needs a refreshing down the road.

Good luck with whatever you decide on... once you place the order, it'll feel like Christmas is on it's way!

Some great advice by crouton above!!

Yesterday I ordered a Red Point in superb condition (Utica knife and razor Company) and an Illinois strop. Bob (Bobsrazor.com)was very helpful and it was nice to be able to talk to someone before buying.
I really look forward to shaving with it

I don't know much about the razor, but I know that the Illinois strops have a good reputation. The only real negative I've heard is that they need to be broken in pretty well to get the most out of them. Breaking one in isn't hard to do either.

If I were you, I'd do a quick search on here on the multiple processes to choose from to break that baby in, if she needs it.

Keep us up to speed on the razor... Oh, and pics. We loves us some pics around here...

Yes Bob did say that I will need to condition the strop and I bought the oil to so so. Yes I will take pics as soon as it get here.

Like I mentioned before I am Using bargain soap (Van Der something or other) and was wondering what soap I should order next. Are other more expensive soaps that much better and is pre shave oil a good idea?

Well, the preshave oil is a matter of debate for some. I personally use one, but others don't. It's just your preference on that one.

As far as the soap goes, I use the Van Der Hagen Luxury soap (it's about twice as expensive as the normal Van Der Hagen- a whopping $5) and get great shaves with it. You said you got the "drug store deal", which I assume is the Van Der Hagen set. My question to you is if you det get one of these sets, did it come with a mug or a bowl? If it's the mug, that's exactly what I started with (and in fact used last night and have a wonderful shave!!) and I like the soap that came with it. Van Der Hagen also makes another soap that's about $2.50 a puck that I've yet to use (though I have one).

I also use Arko (order this one from Amazon or Ebay), which is another bargain soap that gives good shaves (at least for me). You have to lather a bit differently with it, basically just swirl the stick on a wet face and then once you have a film work the film with a wet brush. I think a case of 12 on Amazon runs about $22, or a single stick can be had for about $3.

Two others I use are both creams- C.O. Bigelow (a rebranded popular and staple cream from Italy- Proraso), which is available at Bath & Body Works if you're in the US, or you can get the Maca Root Shave Cream from The Body Shop (again, in the US). These two were about $10 each, and there's plenty to last you, since it only takes cream about the size of an almond to get a good lather for three passes (for a laugh, search for snurdle or snurdler on here).

I really haven't used much of anything else except some samples from SRD, which I'm putting through the ringer before making up my mind on them... I had 1 good shave with them and 1 bad, so I don't know if it's my water ratio or what. Either way, the scents are fantastic, assuming you're into the different ones they have. My favorite is the Opus X, which is a tobacco scent, like a fine (unsmoked) cigar.

Defintely test several different ones out, since soap can be a personal thing... what feels good on my face may not on yours.

Originally Posted by Muamero

Yesterday I ordered a Red Point in superb condition (Utica knife and razor Company) and an Illinois strop. Bob (Bobsrazor.com)was very helpful and it was nice to be able to talk to someone before buying.
I really look forward to shaving with it

Bob is a really nice guy to talk to. Just sent him my first razor to get it shave ready. Hes a very honest person, also very helpful.

Hey Crouton , thank you for the fast reply on the soap. I have been using the Van Derr Hagen set for some years, just because it was readily available. It served me well in the mug configuration till it got broken. I bought the replacement set, without realizing it, I got the Cup now. I served me well and I was just wondering if I was missing out on something by not using the better quality soap. Creams I remember, my grandfather used to shave only using the cream. He always said it worked better then the canned stuff my father and uncles where using. Hey what do old folk know.
As far as the razor choices I really liked the look of the early English wedges but did not buy one because I read that beginners should avoid them because they are harder to hone. Now in the retrospect I guess it does not matter since I am not going to be honing them my self. Id really like one as a back up razor.
And lastly how many razors can one buy and still justify it as "I really need this many so I can have a comfortable shave every day" as opposed to buying them just because they make you drool on the keyboard of the laptop.

Originally Posted by Muamero

And lastly how many razors can one buy and still justify it as "I really need this many so I can have a comfortable shave every day" as opposed to buying them just because they make you drool on the keyboard of the laptop.

As many as you can lay your hands on?