Thread: Beginner looking at multiple options.

Alright, I didn't want to make this post until I had skimmed through other posts on the various areas in the forum.

I have yet to purchase a SR or any of the other materials needed to start with wet-shaving. Therefore I have been researching just buying full kits to get started. However, I am not entirely convinced this is a great thing to do when I might be able to piece it together on my own individually. Alright lets lay out my thoughts and get opinions.

Naturally I want my first SR to be a good blade and purchasing a Dovo seems like a great idea. One honed by a pro and ready to shave. With that said I have looked at some full SR kits to go with just that... Unfortunately, SRD seems to be sold out of their kits and a lot of their blades except for the ones on the higher end. Not wanting to spend a $200+ to get started, but if it's my thing then I'll invest... All of that said, I've been eye balling going over to whippeddog, getting one of his blades and strops and then ordering the rest else where. Figure I'd still be looking at $100 or so if I go this route. But this still kinda has me going "what if I get a blade that isn't as good of quality as I would like?" and then I also go "dude its your first straight razor, it's probably smart to go this route." etc etc. Nevertheless. So Im looking at a decent first blade if I go through whippeddog and get one of his unseen blades, or flawed blades but with the need to buy everything else individually. Or I can up the amount I'm spending and just go through vintage blades llc and get a nice starter SR kit. (Vintage Blades LLC :: Straight Razor Sets :: Complete Straight Razor Sets - Dovo Carbon Steel :: Dovo "Black Best Quality" 5/8" Full-Hollow Straight Razor Set) This seems like a great price and starting up kit. If I throw in the razor oil and strop conditioner, Im looking at $188 before taxes and free shipping. Just based off my research I feel like this is probably a great deal. Am I mistaken on this, or do we think going with whippeddog is a better idea? I'll save probably $50-60 bucks if I do, but I like the idea of my first SR being a quality dovo, with accompanying quality gear.

Hell I don't know, I like the idea of both. What are your thoughts?


Also, honing... I'd like to learn to hone at some point in my SR journey. As it seems to make sense if one is going to be a SR enthusiast. How long can/will a ready to shave/pro honed razor last before it needs to honed again?

Thanks y'all!

Whipped dog also offers the ( I think) $54 dollar sight unseen razor. I ordered one and got a red imp. It's a really nice razor and sharp as... Well you get it. Whipped dog also offers starter kits. As a newb I wouldn't start trying to hone your razors yet. The learning curve on honing is steeper than learning to shave with a straight razor IMO?

I bought from whippeddog and had a great experience. Larry was helpful and shipping was fast, also the razor I received was as advertised ready to shave. Not the prettiest one out there but good quality steel and it allowed me to start on a budget. I got everything for $80 shipped. Which from the research i did was a fantastic price. I think either choice is a solid one but thought i would give you my 2 cents.

Might thoughts were that I would find a cheaper (gold dollar?) razor off ebay to practice honing with once I decided to take that step. Maybe I could get lucky and find someone here in Nashville that does blade honing until I felt comfortable taking on my actual shave razor.

I actually think the sight unseen razor is going for $41.00 now. Maybe I'll just shoot him a message and see what he can do in terms of adding in a brush. I've read great things about whipped dog but just a little curious about the razor I would get if I went with the sight unseen. This is good news to hear directly from someone that they got a good razor from the sight unseen pile. Thanks clamup1!

First things first -- my mother used to talk about my "eyes being bigger than my stomach", all of which is to say "start slowly".

Pick up two inexpensive razors -- 5/8" blade width, one square point, the other round point; one hollow-ground, the other near-wedge or quarter-hollow -- you can find good examples on the SRP classifieds, at affordable prices; alternatively, check the SRP-approved vendors.

Get an SRD Modular Strop -- it's affordable, last you a lifetime, and gives you regular leather, and a choice of treated leather or hard-wool felt pads, for maintaining an already sharp blade.

Honing: Don't get into it... yet. Instead, if the razors aren't shave-ready (although all the SRP vendors are superb honers), send 'em out for professional honing, and you worry about maintaining their edges, and about developing your technique. Buy stones can come much later on... if ever. Word.

Let the process be gradual, and don't let it get away from you. Start with a couple of easily maneuverable razors, shave-ready, learn to maintain 'em (stropping), and learn how to use 'em on YOUR beard, on YOUR face. No prizes for speed, or for who spends the most money.

Be happy. Smooth shaving!

I would suggest if you want to start cheap email Larry at whipped dog. From all accounts he is a great bloke and will discuss options with you and could probably customise to your needs. He sells everything you will need to start and your unlikely to get a reasonable quality kit for less. If you prefer to spend more for a higher quality kit with better looks then go that route. Often the razor shaves the same even when not pretty. Like much of this its personal preference.

My 2 cents, there is a massive difference between sharp and shave sharp. If you buy from a specilist like whippeddog then you know what you get is shave sharp otherwise you may waste time trying to shave with a blade that maybe too dull.

As a fellow beginner I can add a few things that have become apparent to me as I'm learning.
I started out with a nice round point full hollow ground and a 1/4 hollow square point. The square point did a lot of damage in my inexperienced hands and gave me something to be distracted by while learning the basics. I had been alternating between the round and square point razors which for a beginner, I'd think was mistake. Since switching to the round point exclusively, my shaves began to improve as I learned the one blade. I'm looking forward to trying the square point again but right now I wouldn't consider buying another square in the future (and I do want more razors).
All you really need are the razor, the strop, a brush, and some soap of some sort. If you want a bowl, you can use anything from around the house or lather on your face (a soap stick is good for that). When you buy a razor it should come with some sort of lubricant/protection. I've got a tuf-glide cloth in a little foil pouch (no charge) that seems like it will last forever. The kits are a great way to keep from spending too much. With individual pieces you will always be tempted to get something a little better and as a group there is usually a discount off the regular retail price.

No one can tell you what THE best choice is, but I wanted to add that Vintage Blades LLC is a great company, that has good service and sells actual shave-ready razors. The owner is a great guy and will answer any questions you have. I've used them and SRD and when I buy new, I go for something from one of them.

Originally Posted by trumpetsedge

Or I can up the amount I'm spending and just go through vintage blades llc and get a nice starter SR kit. (Vintage Blades LLC :: Straight Razor Sets :: Complete Straight Razor Sets - Dovo Carbon Steel :: Dovo "Black Best Quality" 5/8" Full-Hollow Straight Razor Set) This seems like a great price and starting up kit. If I throw in the razor oil and strop conditioner, Im looking at $188 before taxes and free shipping. Just based off my research I feel like this is probably a great deal. Am I mistaken on this, or do we think going with whippeddog is a better idea? I'll save probably $50-60 bucks if I do, but I like the idea of my first SR being a quality dovo, with accompanying quality gear.

Hell I don't know, I like the idea of both. What are your thoughts?



Thanks y'all!

Another option.
I gradually started. My wife got me some good shave cream, aftershave and a brush for Christmas. I lathered in a bowl and used my Mach 3 for a while. Then I got a better brush more shave cream and a bowl. Then I added a shavette (from Sally Beauty, for $10), and a strop from SRD. Now I’m waiting on a razor that my brother is restoring for me.
I just learned a little at a time. First how to get a good lather, then some of the basics of how to shave with the shavette. Now I’m ready to learn to strop. Honing will come in a year or so. As you can see this whole process took about a month, because this sport is way too addictive. But it worked for me, and SWMBO cannot complain as much because each purchase is a smaller amount (I think the total might be higher, but I will keep that my secret).
Good Luck!