Thread: Time to pull the trigger!

Alright guys, from the endless hours i've spent on here the last couple weeks, reading different posts about all things straight, brushy and stroppy this is what I've come up with.

While I love shiny brand new, best of the best, from what I've read, this is a sport that this isn't always necessary, or even preferred.

So, this is what I have come up with. At this point everything is gonna come from whippeddog,(sorry lynn, i can't afford you yet!) if he has it in stock.

Razors, 2 sight unseen, I'm going to see if larry is able to accommodate me by sending one square point half hollow(or close to it) and one round point full hollow. Not sure if I should reverse the grinds based on the tips, but they don't seem to be exclusive. I just want to be able to try both over time and see if i lean towards one grind or tip for future purchases(which seems inevitable).

Second, the strop, I'm thinking the 2 strap strop leather and poly (again to experiment with both medias, and was gonna add on the balsa wood with pastes as well.

Undecided on the 12k barbers hone, for refreshing(or light honing). Although i don't think the 12k is the best hone, it seems to be popular and the right price. The other option is no hone now, wait a while to make sure this is something i'm going to stay with then get a proper honing set.

styptic pencil, for the inevitable.

that little 3 pack of soap samplers to see if I find something I like. I already have an art of shaving kit, but finding I'm starting to use it up a bit quicker than anticipated based on trying to find the best lather I can.

I think that is all...is this a good start for a noob? too little or too much?

Thanks for your help!

That seems ok to me. I think you'd be wise to leave the hone for now until you've made a decision that SR shaving is definitely for you. One of the main things about this hobby (obsession!!) is to learn how to strop a razor properly. If you can get this right the time between having to hone will be extended. If you need any more help this is the place to come. Remember light pressure and concentration when shaving. Enjoy!!

I think this is fine, but I shouldn't bother with the stone for now.

the hone is not for starting out like was mentioned ,the strop is your best friend right now , so learn to use it . you can send a razor out for honing cheaper than a 12k hone. be slow and steady the honing can come later, good luck and welcome tc

I'm in the other camp than the other guys: if you want to maintain your razors yourself or anticipate you'll be honing your own razors, a 12K Naniwa is an excellent hone. It can be the last step in your progression when you decide to buy extra hones, or used exclusively for touch-ups. You can expect to need touch-ups a little more regularly when starting out with SR shaving, because of little mistakes you make while learning to strop and shave. If your budget is up for it, I'd say get the 12K or even a 16K Shapton, both are good finisher hones.

welcome, & Hello. I'm with with the above mention post.

Hi and welcome. Sounds good but like Laurens I would go with a naniwa 12k as it is full sized not a quarter hone like the whipped dog one and will also be faster and easy to use. Good luck

I would go new with a kit. A nice new shave ready razor, a proper strop, and a brush and soap if you don't have that already. This should last you several months and give you a good idea whether you like to use the straight blade or not. I would wait to get the stones until you find out if you like it or not....and if you do, then get yourself some stones etc.

I would much prefer one decent razor. I don't think buying a beat up retread is the way to start...but it's your face


Best of luck,
Rob

I think you have done your research noobs and Larry @ whippeddog.com is a man of class and integrity so you will do good there. Whether you get the hone or not, I would definitely recommend the pasted balsa strop from Larry with the CrOx and FeOx. It can keep an edge going and going and going. Lol. That was probably the best money I spent in this hobby so far.

The only change I would make is the strop

Although more expensive try going for the SRD Modular strop. It'll help you not ruin the edge on your razor and keep you from needing to send it out soon for a re hone. I have seen some guys on here ruin an edge in only a few shaves. I started with a SR in Decemeber (using shavette for a year before) and because I have the modular strop I have been able to strop my razor and it still shaves as clean as the first day I received it.

I think it will save you money in the long run or be easy to re sale to someone if you choose not to continue your straight razor endeavors.