Three things I'd do for sure, if I were a new SR shaver again -- FWIW

I thought I'd post this thread after being into this art a little more than a year, straightening my 'shave den' today and reflecting on my SR journey (and inventory). Maybe to help real beginners we could each list our opinion as to what we'd do if we started over again with SR shaving.

Here are those three things for me.

1. I would buy a quality SR from a quality dealer who hones before shipping (you know where the alternatives are). I lucked out and did this the first time after very little reading or research, just by stumbling onto SRP and its advertisers.
2. I would buy AT MOST 2 good soaps and a decent ($10-20) brush and learn to use them. My father wet shaved for years with a bar of Ivory soap and one brush (the same one). His face was always smooth as a baby's when I was a kid and he hugged me goodnight at the end of his long work day (and he used a DE with Gillette Red or Blue Blades). If you work at it, you can get a workable lather with almost any shave soap today IF you play with the water mixture and work at it with your brush.
3. Get a 3" strop. I skimped there on the money and got a decent; but hard to learn on 2" strop. Again, you don't need to go for super expensive, but at least to me 3" was much easier after I messed up my edges (I had 2) with my first narrow strop.

Of course now I have all the addictive disorders and have at least 20 soaps and creams, 9 straights, 4 strops (1 paddle, 1 modular paddle, one 2" and my 3" Roo hanging), 4 or 5 brushes (badger, boar, small, medium and larger), 10 aftershaves, 3 witch hazels, 4 DE razors, enough DE blades to equip an Army Division for several months and assorted other supplies. I also have a full set of Naniwa Superstones, a DMT 325 and a Barber's hone. I'm not a good example.:w

However, my point is, you don't need to go nuts ever, but surely not until you're sure you are going to stick with it. As with technique, start slowly and build as you learn. The first thing I'd add is a second good SR, for when #1 is out to be honed. As to the other stuff, the LAST things I'd think about are hones and all those other extras can come later.

hey, I know some will disagree, but jump in! Help our fellow beginners!!

All of your advice is great, but definitely +1 on the 3" strop. I also got a 2" strop to start, and found myself constantly worried that I was dulling the edge. It's hard to learn the X pattern and still focus on other stropping essentials. The 3" strop made me feel a lot more confident.

I don't think I would add much more except to keep it simple when starting out in this sport.

Bob

Looks like sound advice. And succinct too.

1. Razor... I would get a well respected vintage razor that you like the look of. Spend a bit extra and get a Wade & Butcher, Fili or similar... keep an eye on the classifieds here or ebay to find a fair price (but from someone reputable with good feedback for razor sales, good condition and not one where pitting, rust etc may be an issue). I think spending the extra is warranted, as razor prices seem to keep going up, and you can resell easier if you decide straight saving isn't your thing. If you do resell, chances are you'll either break even, make a profit or at worst a small loss. Selling a new razor from Dovo etc, once it has been used, you are almost guaranteed to lose $.

2. Honing... Unless you have bought from someone known for their ability to hone a razor, send it to one of the pros on SRP.

3. Brush... Id recommend a silvertip from Larry @ whippeddog... Resale on a used brush isn't the best, so if you don't take to straight shaving long term, you can either put it in a drawer not worrying about the price you spent, or you can use it still for DE or cartridge shaves. Its a brilliant brush for the price. I'd put it at 90% of the quality (the knot that is, not the handle) of the other brushes I have that were much more expensive. If not Larry's silvertip, I'm sure SRD or other vendors offer a great knot in a cheap handle at a fair price. From memory the brush from larry was around $25, maybe $30, but it was a bargain considering how much I like it.

4. Strop... SRD modular strop. I love mine, and it takes the variable of how taught you have to pull it, cupping etc out of the equation... If you find yourself sticking with straights, you can still keep it and use it for pastes etc or use as a loaner to other newer members.

5. Shave cream... Truefitt & Hill ultimate comfort cream... Easy to lather, lasts ages, and can be used for all razor types, Straights, DE, cartridge etc, except for electric I guess. Mix sample batches to experiment with how much water to add etc, using a razor you're already familiar with, so when you go to the straight for the first time, it glides, doesn't dry out, start to skip across your face etc. Regardless of what you shave with, a good cream doesn't go unwanted, and is a good benchmark to compare to other (more or less expensive creams) should you progress with with this hobby.

6. Allocate time... Time to learn... benefit from all the advice here on SRP. Learn how to strop before stropping. Learn how to shave, angles, pressure, skin stretching etc before even trying it for the first time. It's so rewarding having a half decent shave on your first attempt, and so disheartening to have bought the gear and get a bad shave, deep cuts etc if you rush into it. Time to Prep... Take a long hot shower, get your beard growth as wet as you can and as soft as you can. Time to shave... Don't rush it, take your time and focus on putting into practice all that you have learnt from your research. Don't aim for BBS, focus on a comfortable shave, a safe shave and enjoyable shave. Then finish the job with the razor you're used to... it won't be long until the straight is the only razor you use unless you're in a hurry and resort to DE (You won't go back to cartridges again except for travel perhaps)

7. Get involved with the SRP community... I have learnt so much, always take the opportunity to learn from others, made new friends, and am now in a position to repay everyone's kindness by trying to do the same for other newcomers. Straight shaving is only a small part of my life, but an enjoyable part, and lends itself to so many other aspects of the hobby... the challenge of perfecting one's shaving technique, the collecting aspect, the social aspect, restorations, honing etc. Knowing that you are a small part of keeping the history and skill alive to pass on to future generations.

Sorry the post is long, but I couldn't really condense my thoughts on this thread topic much more.

Well put

SRP is an awesome wealth of knowledge, fact and opinion. Razor, soap, strop, hone, brush acquisition disorders are all fueled here. Many is the thread that cause us to go looking for the magical soap, razor, strop etc.

Read and watch for knowledge, but commit to wet shaving before your purchases outweigh your interest. Shaving with straights, restoring straights and Saftey razors can be very enjoyable and relaxing but you don't need every razor and every hone and every soap right away. Take your time and enjoy the journey. That is what it's all about

All great advise!!!! I will only stress. Get your RAZORS pro honed in the early stages , when you don't shave with a straight razor and start with a sub standard edge your set up for failure , and believing you know what a shave ready razor is , is another shot at failure , just keep it simple , learn to shave properly, then if it sticks with you expand from there. I done some stupid things myself , got all the Naniwas and a Zulu, gues what I don't use them , found out how much cheaper it is to just send it to that razor wizard in Idaho than all the stones cost , I'm a year in and haven't had to have anything but a couple razors rehoned ,, only cause I rolled tHe edges I. The beginning My two cents. Great post OP. Tc

All excellent advice.

The only thing I'd add would be you can decide to learn to hone and shave at the same time, just separate your razor's that you're learning to shave on from the razor's that you're learning to hone, that way you can always compare the two and, thinking of an old thread, not destroy your brand new, $500.00 limited edition Thiers-Issard straight razor. :D

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Originally Posted by Phrank

All excellent advice.

The only thing I'd add would be you can decide to learn to hone and shave at the same time, just separate your razor's that you're learning to shave on from the razor's that you're learning to hone, that way you can always compare the two and, thinking of an old thread, not destroy your brand new, $500.00 limited edition Thiers-Issard straight razor. :D

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I agree. It takes 20-30 minutes to shave. That leaves 23.5 hours of the day to pursue some other angle of this hobby if you like. If you're learning to hone on something expendable and not using it as your primary razor, I see no reason why you need to wait.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

All excellent advice.

The only thing I'd add would be you can decide to learn to hone and shave at the same time, just separate your razor's that you're learning to shave on from the razor's that you're learning to hone, that way you can always compare the two and, thinking of an old thread, not destroy your brand new, $500.00 limited edition Thiers-Issard straight razor. :D

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I think I remember that one, if I recall it was Mr "I am going to put all this stuff in a cupboard and let it rot rather than sell it on for a loss".

Regarding tc's post I have a full range of Hones up to 12k, and i only really use the finishers, i do intend to put some time into the earlier stages but i have no need to, and even less time than need, i bought razors that were shave ready so I only have to refresh the edge, i used one razor pretty much exclusively for 9 months or more and never went below 8K.
I am not sure that the financials work out long term, a honing (with postage) is $30+ and a set of Hones (chosera 1k, naniwa 3,8,10+12 k) was about $400 so 13 honings works out about the same. I would suggest learning to finish hone would be worthwhile.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

I am not sure that the financials work out long term, a honing (with postage) is $30+ and a set of Hones (chosera 1k, naniwa 3,8,10+12 k) was about $400 so 13 honings works out about the same. I would suggest learning to finish hone would be worthwhile.

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This is what I keep coming back to when I look at purchasing a set of stones. If I just keep the edge fresh with a pasted strop and a finishing stone, it could be well over a decade before I recoup the investment. Aside from just the pleasure of knowing I'm completely independent, I'm not sure it's worth it :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Esquire

This is what I keep coming back to when I look at purchasing a set of stones. If I just keep the edge fresh with a pasted strop and a finishing stone, it could be well over a decade before I recoup the investment. Aside from just the pleasure of knowing I'm completely independent, I'm not sure it's worth it :shrug:

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Yes, it also depends on how many razors you are buying, some fellers buy them by the dozen it seems so they would recoup the investment pretty quickly.
I thing investing in a finisher is worthwhile though at under a hundred bucks for a naniwa that will last as long as you do probably i dont think its too bad.

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Originally Posted by Esquire

This is what I keep coming back to when I look at purchasing a set of stones. If I just keep the edge fresh with a pasted strop and a finishing stone, it could be well over a decade before I recoup the investment. Aside from just the pleasure of knowing I'm completely independent, I'm not sure it's worth it :shrug:

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Indeed. I get my sole razor honed once or twice a year for around $35 + postagex2 = $50 ish. I travel so much I really don't have the room for a collection of stones. As they get honed on a room full of stones that you'd have to sell a kidney on the black market to afford I figure its kinda a bargain paying $150 a fort-year. I guess a finishing stone would only be be $100 or so so it would be worth it within a year or two… but in the meantime I can use that money to buy another soap I don't need :-D

Only advice I would add is stay away from eBay, amazon etc. You don't know what to look for yet. Leave it a while and do some research first.

One thing I wish I had when I started off was a mentor, someone who can physically inspect my razor's shave-readiness as well as my stropping and shaving technique. This would have greatly reduced the learning curve.

+1 on the hone posts that suggest waiting a while. I have them, because I got a 12k to do touch up, have lapped them, but never used them. You can wait a long time before you hit a financial break-even point, or get the edge quality of a pro honer.

Unless you're a real hobbyist and young, you might never need them (financially)

I'd reinforce the importance of doing your research FIRST!

I was lucky enough (and OCD enough) that I discovered SRP before I'd even started window shopping. I sincerely believe that all the reading and videos I watched saved me a lot of time, frustration, money, and blood.

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

I'd reinforce the importance of doing your research FIRST!

I was lucky enough (and OCD enough) that I discovered SRP before I'd even started window shopping. I sincerely believe that all the reading and videos I watched saved me a lot of time, frustration, money, and blood.

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Exact same for me, spent 6 months reading various sites, watching video's, until I stumbled on SRP member Jack's narrative of his first 100 shaves, purchases, honing, I found it fascinating and was hooked then...after another 3 months, came home from the in-laws, and hit the purchase button for the straight razor starter kit from The Classic Edge here in Ontario, my first razor, 5/8 Dovo Best Quality 1/2 hollow.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I agree. It takes 20-30 minutes to shave. That leaves 23.5 hours of the day to pursue some other angle of this hobby if you like. If you're learning to hone on something expendable and not using it as your primary razor, I see no reason why you need to wait.

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Do you think that's about average, 30 minutes to shave?

with cleanup, that sounds a little rushed to me...

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Originally Posted by Smyth

Do you think that's about average, 30 minutes to shave?

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That really depends, if I do a one and a bit pass probably 15 ish mins Inc stropping etc. There was a thread on it with a poll, i think the average was around 15 to 20 mins all up. Though it was a while ago so my me.ory could be a bit foggy.