Thread: Anticipation

Well... crap. I have been contemplating this straight razor thing and now I've been researching it for HOURS!!! It is 12:30 in the morning and i'm still reading...HA! I love it! I get deep into the details of everything that I do and now it seems i'm hooked on another great hobby. I've been pouring over this website soaking up all of the information that I am able in order to make the most educated decisions possible. So much great information on here. If anyone wants to offer their opinion on certain items they feel are essential to a great shave, please let me know. I'm compiling the list of items that i will order here in the next week or two. Thanks!

Stephen

Tell me you are over forty. You are exhibiting the approach of a mature individual that knows you can't jump in the pool without first learning how to swim. You have already read that the basics are a razor, a brush, soap or cream, an alum block and a strop. Make that two professionally honed razors so when one needs honing you still have a working razor. Read, but don't get near honing on your own yet. learn, in the next year to refresh your blades yourself. Full honing need to be learned slowly and by one on one instruction (gssixgun will agree). If you have sensitive skin go for unscented soaps/creams. Some sensitivities don't surface till you are using a soap or cream. I'm sensitive to menthol, eucalyptus and Shea butter and found out the hard way. Do ask a lot of questions in conjunction to all your reading. We all, here on the forum, enjoy responding and getting to know more members that way.

Yeah late nights are a sure fire way for me to spend money.
That being said, what better than to spend it on some straights?!
So my two cents is probably similar to what you've read - get a quality straight that's been honed, a simple brush and some good soap. Get a strop (up to you, but maybe nothing too fancy for the first one).
If you can stand to be without your straight while you send it out to be honed, 1 is ok. Otherwise get two! Maybe a vintage from the classifieds?
What are looking at getting?

Welcome to SRP!

I have two suggestions. 1) Buy from one of the vendors, or Classifieds, here on SRP. 2)Keep your purchases reasonable. There is no need to rush out and buy a custom razor or $100 soap/cream starting out.

Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!

I'm glad to hear that you have been enjoying the available resources here!

You will find members here of all different backgrounds, ages and occupations from all corners of the world and all with a quest for more knowledge about using and maintaining a straight razor!

If you take the time to search, 99.9% of your questions can be found in the Library (WIKI) however feel free to ask us about whatever it is that you are wondering about or having a problem with. It does help if you’ve done some research before hand so it narrows the problem down a bit.

There are many routes to go when acquiring your first straight razor. Personally I'd recommend a beginner's level vintage (inexpensive) shave ready razor from either the classifieds here at SRP or I could recommend some friends to help you.

Far too many times I've seen beginners full of enthusiasm fall by the way after spending a lot of funds only to find that they don't have the patience to continue!!

If you have patience it is a very rewarding way of life! Please note that I do not call it as 'hobby' as some do! Collecting straight razors, hones, strops, memorabilia etc is a hobby!

Using, and maintaining a straight razor to use daily is a 'Way of Life' and a Lifestyle that I Love!!

I hope you will enjoy the journey, it's a long strange trip, but well worth the time to take it!

Ditto to all the good advice you've already received. I won't repeat it, except to say I too, don't consider it a hobby. It's just shaving, but it's shaving in the best possible way, and with great care and respect for yourself, and your appearance. It is a Lifestyle. And one worth having. Welcome to the forum.


Mick

Hello and welcome.
It's all been said as far as I can see, well almost.
I would add some glycerin (avail at chemists) and if you are getting a soap a cream as well, then you can make "uberlather" (i hate that prefix, but I have to use it so you can look it up).
Don't buy bulk of anything yet, and.I wouldn't buy expensive either.
Enjoy your new lifestyle/ hobby
Ed.

All the advice is good and they are right it is not a hobby its an addiction.

Originally Posted by RoyalCake

Yeah late nights are a sure fire way for me to spend money.
That being said, what better than to spend it on some straights?!
So my two cents is probably similar to what you've read - get a quality straight that's been honed, a simple brush and some good soap. Get a strop (up to you, but maybe nothing too fancy for the first one).
If you can stand to be without your straight while you send it out to be honed, 1 is ok. Otherwise get two! Maybe a vintage from the classifieds?
What are looking at getting?

I'm looking at either a Boker or a Dovo... one of the more simple, yet functional straights. I've been looking at Classic Edge, Straight Razor Design and Vintage Blades. Although there are some gorgeous razors out there, I want to buy one that isn't too expensive, yet classic and functional. It also appears that many razors are out of stock. It seems that most razors are $85-$150 in that spectrum. I'd love to buy two, but I want to make sure that I am proficient at shaving with it first... Also, that I put forth the effort and time necessary to stick with it. Everything that i'm reading warns of blades that aren't truly "shave ready". Are those sold on the classifieds generally good to go? Obviously I won't be proficient at honing yet, so I would want to take that into consideration. Another question, when sending a razor off to be honed, what is the typical turnaround time/cost?

My experience with having a razor honed is as follows. If you can hook up with a Mentor in your area you will have achieved several things. A person more than willing to help you along the learning curve of str8 shaving and in almost all cases happy to hone a razor for you to shave ready condition on the spot. I have a great Mentor here in Oregon and have been able to meet with him a couple of times since I joined (he seems to be working several jobs as well as heavily involved with "the razor world") and have learned a lot from face to face. In terms of getting a razor professionally honed. Glen at Gemstar Creations (gssixgun) or Lynn, founder of SRP are top notch. I have experience with Glen, he honed two beautiful Vintage C-MONs for me, a quarter round and a Wedge. The quarter round was $15 and the Wedge $20 because the wedges are more difficult to get a good edge, plus shipping. If I remember right it was about a ten day turn around (I could be wrong but since I was anxious to use them it seemed like an eternity). I would image that is the going rate from a top notch honer. I hope this helps.