First Time Straight Razor usage.

Hello everyone,

My name is Jake and wish to pursue using a straight razor.

It all started when I first watched Sweeny Todd, (Cliché of course) but did you see the details on his straight razors? The one with Jonny Depp? yeah they just looked amazing.

Anyway basically I have been researching and still no avail. I'm not sure what to purchase or how to properly look after a razor, or what brands or anything. There is a starter set on amazon for £35 but I'm guessing that is way too cheap, even to start, it has been given good reviews though. But I watched a video and he said to use oil after using the blade, but quite a few forums have not said anything on the matter.

Basically I just want the facts and the truth, I am 19 so I want it to be skill I use for my life, as I use normal razors now and they're not great I feel, I told my partner to get that set (for £35) for my 20th which is September but If I get a good set now, I could ask her to get me a personal one or something.

Thanks for reading I hope you can help.

Thanks!

Jake!

This is a great place to start. I have learned, or at least read about, everything you could think if for straight razor shaving on this site from razor suggestions to honing advice and all about the shave with lots of videos. Try Straight Razor Designs website for quality products or at least a list of good brands and what you will all need. Lynn's videos are all over too and quite excellent from novice to pro.

And yes, oil your blade after use. Rust is an enemy of good shaves.

Thank you for the truth, all the starter kits I look at they don't come with any oil.

Can you recommend any?

Tuf-Glide or Tuf-Cloth seem to be sold all over. I use the oil from SRD website. You only need a drop on the edge smoothed over the razor And maybe a drop on the pivot point. Trick is not getting the scales wet when shaving.

Just a drop. You don't want your razor swimming with oil from your previous shave

Can you post a link to the kit you are looking at? I have only seen generic brand kits on amazon, which I would stay away from, but that's just me. There are plenty of reputable brands out there that offer a good starting point as far as price. I am not familiar with the vendors in the UK, but I am sure that there are plenty that could supply you with the basic materials.

Before doing anything, I would suggest read this page if you haven't already: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library

and then this page: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ead-first.html

There is an abundance of knowledge and experience in this form. I have found that if I have a question regarding a specific issue, all I have to do is use the search function of this site, and 9 out of 10 times I find what I need to know.

A lot of patience is needed when starting out, but before long, you will be getting the best shaves of your life!

BTW, welcome to SRP! Remember to take it slow, and ask a lot of questions.

Best Regards,

Jeremy

Hi yeah this is the link.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Men-Rock-Str.../dp/B00BKWLGTQ

It is just a starter kit, but i don't want to spend the Earth either.

Also yeah i need to look at the ins and outs of the sites now haha

Also again Thank you very much!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JakeJW

Hi yeah this is the link.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Men-Rock-Str.../dp/B00BKWLGTQ

It is just a starter kit, but i don't want to spend the Earth either.
Also yeah i need to look at the ins and outs of the sites now haha
Also again Thank you very much!

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How fast can you run!!! The newbs' money savers are at best trash! One guy has a lock on many the new Shaving Sales Places and all go to a central warehouse for fulfillment.
Read well around here and elsewhere.
Find a guy in your area of the UK to talk with and learn from.
Start a thread about is the a mentor in ( your area of ) UK
Check out the classified here or elsewhere. About 100£ would be a minimum for decent kit to be assured of a good shave and long lasting sharpness of it.
Cheers
~Richard

Are they really that bad? That's a shame, haha well if I pay more I know it will last me forever, it's an investment haha.

Mentor system? That sounds like a good idea actually!

Thank you!

Hi Jake, check for a private message! Some folks in the UK to get into contact with.
I agree with the guys above!
Have Fun!
~Richard
About 80-100£ would buy fair kit to assure that you have the most useful for starting out. That would give you the basics of a good razor and strop and from there the moon!
FruFru would be the next step and local versions and accessibility vary. A good soap to start and a good usable brush would be less that 20£.
First learn to prep and lather your face and then any wet shave implement will give good shaves.

Okay will do thank you,

those price seem good so there is no harm in that

Thank you again.

Another great place to ask is a real barber. Not a chain "get your haircut" place but the actual guys who went to barber school. My guy here is a wealth of information on all things related to shaving and always willing to give me hints when I stop in for a haircut.

In the library section of SRP, there's a section called "Buying a beginners set on a budget". Check it out. I think it will help frame your thoughts.