Hey everyone, I have been lurking for a few weeks and trying to find out what I do and dont want from a razor. I have toyed with the idea for some time and went to pull the trigger when I walked into a store here in Raleigh called The Art of Shaving. I had not done any research and figured these guys would know what i needed.
(Not that we have ever seen as of yet anyway they only tell you the Company line)
They were very helpful and gave me great info,
(Highly doubtful when talking about straight razors)
but I had a bit of a shock when we started talking prices.
(Their Razors are NOT shave ready they still need to be honed)
I had no idea that they were of the price they are. I have a limited budget but still really want to get into this.
(AOS is a little high but there is also no shipping but again you have to add in Honing costs)
I feel we rush to many things now, and I'm sick of routines, i would like something that took enough time and art to do daily that it would be considered a ritual, and this is it for me (at least to start). Also I feel that anything worth doing well includes at least a small amount of danger.
(If you take your time there is no danger)
I am a knife man so I love practicality, and beauty (which = huge $$ in razors I see). I have several whet stones and tons of experience honing and sharpening them, so i figured I'd branch out a bit.
(Honing Straight Razors is a bit more then branching out it is a whole new area, there is steel and you do rub it on hones but that is about all that it has in common )
Now here it comes, every noobies words that you know you are going to hear.... "I have a few questions."
1. Will my experience honing pocket knives be a good thing here, or is it a totally different technique and requires me to relearn everything.
(Answered above but the knowledge will not hurt)
2. I also need something that wont break the bank and am looking at this set
BEST SELLER Buffalo Horn Shave Set - StraightRazors.com , i know with knifes you can find great deals, but you get what you pay for. Is this set/site to be avoided?
(At least you asked before and not after you bought it, but no that won't shave)
I have looked at several of your suggestions on other threads for razors that are good for beginners that wont break the bank and saw several I liked but I am impatient and would like everything to come at once so i can get started ASAP lol.
(Impatience and Straight razors are not a good combination, you had the right idea above about taking time with the ritual)