Bare essentials for beginner (again).

I know you get this question from every beginner, but I’ve read around a bit on here and this is what I’ve come up with to try straight razor shaving with on a “reasonable” budget.

3 used Solingen razors ... $108
Honing for best two ... $50
Tony Miller beginner strop ... $25
Tweezerman badger brush ... $13
Taylor of Old Bond cream for Sensitive Skin ... $18

TOTAL ... $214

I’d like to not use aftershave unless it’s a necessity. Otherwise, am I missing any bare essentials?

Also, I thought about practicing a time or two on the top of my thigh before the first section of my face to get an initial feel for the razor (because it’s very smooth and there’s no mirror involved). Is that a good idea or goofy?

Thanks for any advice,

--Thomas

Minimum, you can do the job with a clam shell, a smooth rock and some lard. I think you're ahead of the game with three shave-ready blades for $150 and the rest.

You could trade one razor for a clean towel, wash cloth, mirror and water - I think you're good to go. Good luck. Enjoy the sport. (I practiced blade swiping and stropping with a butterknife for week; my armhair is still growing back.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thomas404

I’d like to not use aftershave unless it’s a necessity. Otherwise, am I missing any bare essentials?

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Hello Thomas! I started out about a year ago, bought some stuff I needed and some stuff I have not used since, so its a great idea to see what the other guys think on this forum.
Find out how your skin reacts to the razor, I love straight shaving, but at the beginning my face felt a little raw until I managed to get the pressure of shaving a bit more precise. As such, I really appreciated proraso pre/post cream. Its a menthol based cream that calms everything down. I still use it! Its relatively cheap for me, thanks to Italian colleagues, but see if there is a similar cheap one in your area. Other brands I've used are Prep and 3P.
As you can see, I love these italian pre/posts...but by no means essential whatsoever if you are less klutzy than I was at the beginning!!! Cold water will do just fine!

I'd go with a Feather SS. You eliminate all the other stuff, don't need a strop, and you'll never have to wonder whether your problems result from a dull blade. They're just over a hundred bucks. I'd recommend the ProGuard blades for a beginner. I've been straight shaving for two and a half years, and I still use the ProGuards.

Looks like you got it covered. Only additional item for me (this is totally optional) is a post shave skin conditioner. It helps moisturize and sooth any light irritation you may experience in the beginning. Added bonus is they will have a nice fragrance. Otherwise you're good to go.

My only concern is three razors for that price comes down to around $35 per razor. At that price unless you are really lucky the razors may need more than just honing. You might be looking at more of a restoration which could cost more unless you will be doing that yourself. I think if I were in your shoes I'd be looking at two razors for around $60 a piece. At that price level they should be pretty clean if you stay away from the big names and then honing is all you should need.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thomas404

I know you get this question from every beginner, but I’ve read around a bit on here and this is what I’ve come up with to try straight razor shaving with on a “reasonable” budget.

3 used Solingen razors ... $108
Honing for best two ... $50
Tony Miller beginner strop ... $25
Tweezerman badger brush ... $13
Taylor of Old Bond cream for Sensitive Skin ... $18

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I like your style! Here are my suggestions:

1. Change the "3 used Solingen razors" to 2. Two are sufficient, and you don't need to spend more than $40/each OR worry about "restoring" them. Add the leftover $$ to #2
2. Change the "beginner strop" to an SRD modular strop. Much less chance of hurting the edges, AND diamond-spray on hard-wool felt (and CrOx on leather) let you maintain their edges.

Again, just my suggestions. Smooth shaving!

I totally agree, 2 razors well honed will put you in a good spot. All you would then is a good strop. Practice stropping with a butter knife

For beginning, I think all you really need is one shave-ready razor, a decent strop, a decent badger brush, and a cheap puck of soap (such as VDH, Gentleman Bill's, something under the $5 mark). That's just me, though, as the rest is just getting into the hobby part of it. ;)

Add a styptic pencil. Most of us get cut, occasionally.

. Charles

Hey, MisterMoo,
We have a clean towel, wash cloth. Is a mirror that piece of glass with the wrinkly old guy on the other side that mocks my every move?

Hey Damo,
I'm sure I'll be klutzy but still going to try at first without it. Not so much sensitive skin as my skin doesn't like most chemicals. I can add it in if all goes well with the basic. If I do add it, I will try the one's you've suggested.
Thanks

Hey Ace,
The whole reason I wanted to try a straight razor was that's how my Grandfather shaved ... mostly sentimental.
--Thomas

Hey thebigspendur,
I'd already bought the razors ... hoping to have beginner's luck on at least one. If not, I'm only out $12 shipping back and forth to the guy that's going to hone them. If it doesn't work out, I'll regroup now that I've found you guys and just use the others for self-defense.
Thomas

Hey JBHoren,
I'll haven't actually ordered the strop yet, so I'll look into the one you suggest.
Thanks

Chrees,
I think that's where I'm at except a little extravagant on the cream ... hopefully, it will live up to its sensitive skin labeling.
--Thomas

Thanks cpcohen1945 .. I'd seen that but forgotten to put it on my list.

All of you are fantastic for the advice. Hopefully, I'll be off on the right foot ... or, at least, not on a terribly wrong foot.

A cream with vitamin e for post shave is something I have found good, it helps your skin heal apparently. The proraso is good and soothing but I think it smells a bit like Vicks vaporub or something, but good none the less. You may want alum or witchhazel for after. There are a load of threads on both. Enjoy the journey.