Startup advice

So I've been reading through forums and browsing this site for awhile now in prep for my first straight razor experience, and first off, this site and its members are awesome. Second, I wanted some advice on equipment/products. I don't initially want to spend a lot, but at the same time I want a good experience. Here's what I had in mind:

Razor (already purchased from classifieds for $20): Rescaled Klas Tornblom 4/8
Brush: Omega #11712 Banded Boar brush for $12
Shaving Cream: TOBS Avocado $14
Strop: Whipped Dog Poor man's strop $25 or two strap Leather strop $30
Aftershave or preshave: DIY food-grade coconut oil, castor oil, vitamin E oil (I currently use it as a hair conditioner/ face wash/ beard softener)

Am I missing anything, or are there better products in the same price range I should consider? Thanks!

That should pretty much be it!
All that is needed for a close and comfortable shave is listed there, now all you need to do is practice:)

Thanks! I will be following some of the posted beginner's tips. It's very nice to know there is a very knowledgable community here to help!

As long as your razor is shave ready, You're off to the races!

Grab yourself a septic pencil over at your local pharmacy (cheap) to stop any bleeding. Hopefully you will not need it much, but when you need it they really work.

I still pull mine out from time to time - stings, but works.

Good luck and welcome!!

I'd suggest you get a strop with canvas component. Amazon usually has the illinois/fromm strops which are good and in the $30-$40 range, e.g. Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23": Health & Personal Care

The canvas makes a big difference for the longevity of the edge. It is more abrasive than leather, but much less than pastes.

Avoid those septic pencils at all cost!! Go with a styptic pencil instead!


:rofl2:

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

Avoid those septic pencils at all cost!! Go with a styptic pencil instead!


:rofl2:

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Bahahaha!!! Dang auto correct!!

Good looking out!

Thanks for all of the advice! Definitely going to get a stypic pencil (if I flush it down the toilet it may become a septic pencil as well :P)

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I'd suggest you get a strop with canvas component. Amazon usually has the illinois/fromm strops which are good and in the $30-$40 range, e.g. Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23": Health & Personal Care

The canvas makes a big difference for the longevity of the edge. It is more abrasive than leather, but much less than pastes.

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Thanks gugi! Assuming I'm stropping correctly, and shaving about 3 times a week, how long might I be able to go before needing to send it off to be honed again?

Sounds like you have everything you need covered. As for stropping it will depend greatly on you. Some people stuff an edge quickly with poor stropping and others can keep a blade going for a very long time. Technique also makes a difference in shave quality. If you are just trying to touch up regularly then you probably want to do that about every 7 to 10 shaves to keep the blade in optimal condition. But realistically you can use the razor until it is too uncomfortable and doesn't cut properly anymore but shave quality will fall off.

Thanks for the info! I'll have to practice and get the technique down.

On a side note, I've been practicing my shaving angles with foam soap and a butter knife... I think I'm doing pretty well (I make sure to practice pass, then watch video and adjust). I feel like I'm more prepared as I was actually picking up a few hairs with the butter knife!

As far as your question to how long will the edge last between honing's.
It will depend on a few factors.
How good is your stropping technique.
Beard type heavy or light.
How fast you get the appropriate angle (the closer you are to a 90 the harder it is on the edge).
Good care practices for the blade examples thoroughly drying after use and the environment it is stored in.
Lastly but far from unimportant, not having a dumb moment like trying to take the faucet off at the neck....

Most get a few (2-3) months out of the first honing and the time goes up quite a bit after that.

Glad to hear it is coming together for you!

Awesome! Ideally I'd only like to send it out a few times a year. Hopefully I'll get to the point where I can hone it myself. Won't worry about that for awhile though!

Be sure to keep your old razor around, you'll need it to finish up your straight shave in the beginning.

Maintaining your razor sharp is significantly easier than getting it there in the first place, but worry about this later.
Initially your edge may last you 20 shaves or 50, but it will improve as you get experience.

If you would like to try a decent Pure badger brush on the cheap, Tweezerman mens shaving brush a good value at about 12 bucks.

Klas Törnblom razors are pretty good I reckon, I have a frameback with ivory scales which is a great shaver, and the styling is very 'Nordic' and minimalist in design.

I think you need a nice aftershave, even a cheapy like Old Spice is nice.

Awesome! I've already ordered the omega brush, but I'll keep that in mind if I want to compare. So far the only thing I haven't bought is the strop. I followed some advice and researched the Illinois/ Fromm strops, but the reviews on amazon have made me a bit nervous ( mostly saying the strop was cupped and stiff). I was also looking at the leather/ poly strop kit from whipped dog. I'm assuming the poly webbing would be similar to canvas without adding paste?

Carl, I just received it in the mail today and it looks and feels awesome. I can't wait to start using it! I ran it across my finger nail it rang beautifully!

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Originally Posted by Badwolf

Carl, I just received it in the mail today and it looks and feels awesome. I can't wait to start using it! I ran it across my finger nail it rang beautifully!

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Pic?

BTW, I'd HIGHLY recommend a Neil Miller strop; they really are a work of art, expensive, but worth the money. I have a English Bridle and Linen Miller strop with brass fittings and it's really excellent.

Other than that, if you're worried about damaging it as a newbie, the small Dovo strop is nice, but still around a hundred bucks AU.

BTBTW, don't run your razor across your finger nail, it'll dull the edge. :D

This is what I did:

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Check the steel’s quality. A razor with good temper sharpens better than poorer quality steels. One way to check if you have a well tempered blade is to catch the point of the blade under your thumbnail and let it slip off quickly. If the blade gives a good clear ring, it’s likely well tempered. If it doesn’t, the blade was likely tempered unevenly.

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I didn't know I was dulling the blade :( . Oh well, lesson learned.

Attachment 160884

Here it is, Carl. I would have preferred wooden scales but for $20 I really couldn't ask for more.

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Originally Posted by Badwolf

...Here it is, Carl. I would have preferred wooden scales but for $20 I really couldn't ask for more...

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That's very nice Badwolf, what size is it? It looks to be maybe a 4/8. I like the scales actually. I have two razors with wooden scales, one with Canadian Maple and the other which has broken scales (not sure of the wood). Wooden scales are OK, but I don't really like them THAT much, although the razor with Canadian maple scales (a W&B) looks very nice.

You'll find the Swedish steel on your razor to be quite hard, which means it won't dull easily, although it'll need a bit more work to hone.

I think you've done very well with this for twenty buckeroonies, well done!

Thank you! You are exactly right it is a 4/8, and I think I lucked out on it!! Of course I wouldn't have made a good purchase if it wasn't for all the helpful member insight here at SRP!