Thread: Help with my search.

Hello, I am new to the world of straight razors and I'm looking for some basic information on where to start my journey. Does anyone have certain sites they use to buy razors and supplies? I also have been looking into purchasing a "starter" or "beginner" kit that is affordable and comes with the materials needed for my very first straight razor shave. So if anyone has comments or suggestions in regards to that it would be very helpful.

Thanks!

Very often there are ads on the page you are now on for a place called Straight Razor Designs.
The only thing they don't sell is the skill needed to use the gear.

You'll also see ads for Vintage Blades, LLC and several other sites as well as a lot of discussion about Whippeddog who sells razors that aren't beauties, but are ready to shave, as well as other workable gear. Explore a little more and you'll find the right combination.

This is a great place to start. Welcome to SRP

Read and watch everything you can about shaving here. If you are still willing or wanting to give it a try SRD is a great vendor for new gear. You could also find a mentor near you that can help you learn first hand.

Three things to learn (among others) lather building, stropping, and shaving

I read the next bit here today and thought it was good, buy cheap, buy twice. That does not mean you have to spend a fortune but quality purchases will set you on an easier path to success.

The best site I have found is Straight Razor Designs (SRD). I would look into getting something new over a restored or still in bad condition blade. For a starter blade you will want to focus on shaving instead of fixing up your blade. The best part about SRD is that most if not all of the blades are professionally honed so you can give the blade an initial stropping and then go straight to learning on how you with begin your first passes. Sadly, most of the really good long lasting blades will cost a lot more but as a starter you would be better off starting with a cheaper blade since you don't want to damage an expensive one. You can read through the many posts over what brands to stay away from. Use SRP for any questions you have. I feel that this forum has no question unanswered the many people on here have a great amount of knowledge over the many questions you may have.

For known quality products and truly shave ready razors you can't go past any of the site vendors. The classifieds here regularly have lower cost straights that will be truly shave ready as well.

Welcome ttribby: The edges on most new factory razors aren't "shave ready" regardless of the manufactures claims. If you purchase from a vendor like Straight Razor Designs, your new razor will arrive shave ready. No stropping required, just lather your face and shave. You will also receive a coupon for one free re-honing if and when the razor should need to be refreshed.

The members at SRP will be happy to offer our suggestions on your choice of razors and complete shaving kits if you choose. Welcome Aboard.

Originally Posted by Owengmiller

The best part about SRD is that most if not all of the blades are professionally honed so you can give the blade an initial stropping and then go straight to learning on how you with begin your first passes.

I would suggest shaving first with a razor from SRD. They come ready. Your first attempts at stropping may not be the greatest. You can practice with a butter knife but resist the urge to strop a new pro honed razor before shaving with it.

My second post tonight recommending Whipped Dog for a beginner kit. I invested less than $100 to get a pro honed vintage razor, leather strop, balsa strop, brush, soap, instructions, and even a decent DE razor for backup.

Strop is a cheap but functional, but I certainly don't feel bad that I've cut it up pretty badly.

Balsa strop I pre pasted with two grades of Abrasive.

Brush is basic black badger and even comes with a packet of oxy clean to treat the badger smell.

I suppose I sound like a shill for Larry at Whipped.. but really I am just a fan since it is how I got started.

Originally Posted by leftyonly

My second post tonight recommending Whipped Dog for a beginner kit.

I suppose I sound like a shill for Larry at Whipped.. but really I am just a fan since it is how I got started.

Well, yes you do but by definition a shill needs to be receiving some form of gratuity for recommendations.
I'm not asking you to tell us if that's the case but be aware it is not an acceptable practice on SRP & no joking matter.