Thread: new to the world of straight razor shaving

hey
I'm new here and decided to start straight razor shaving about a week ago after purchasing a set on eBay, that was the biggest mistake i've made so far.
i did some research on what i needed to start off shaving now i wish i spent the $150 everybody recommends.
i got a wade and butcher 5/8 razor now.
i love the ritual of shaving with a straight razor and even now i can tell I'm getting better.
thanks to all of you on here who post. The threads have been invaluable. i've learnt so much and any advice is aways welcome.
can anyone recommend a good soap to use?
thanks

Welcome to the SRP Forum!

Here is a link that will help you find other SRP members in your area, just insert your location and hit search now. Note that the user name listing in red is a mentor, if you should need any personal help.

Here is a link to the SRP Library. This will help you with pretty much anything relating to shaving with a straight razor.

Welcome to the world of straight razor shaving!

Originally Posted by usakiwi

hey
I'm new here and decided to start straight razor shaving about a week ago after purchasing a set on eBay, that was the biggest mistake i've made so far.
i did some research on what i needed to start off shaving now i wish i spent the $150 everybody recommends.
i got a wade and butcher 5/8 razor now.
i love the ritual of shaving with a straight razor and even now i can tell I'm getting better.
thanks to all of you on here who post. The threads have been invaluable. i've learnt so much and any advice is aways welcome.
can anyone recommend a good soap to use?
thanks

Welcome to the SRP! There are hundreds of different shaving soaps and creams. A great variety of quality and price. And of course, everybody has their preferences. Depending on your budget you might want to explore the following options:

Creams:
Budget items: ProRaso, Speick, Tabac
Moderately priced: Castle Forbes, GEO F. Tramper, Tailor of Old Bond Street, Dr. Harris,
More expensive: Penhaligon's and Expec

Soaps (these are my preferences):
Budget items: ProRaso, Speick, Tabac,
Moderately priced: I Coloniali Mango oil, Pre de Provence, Tailor of Old Bond Street, Barrister and Mann
More expensive: Martin De Candre, Penhaligon's

Hope it helps.

Cheers,
AG

Hello, usakiwi! Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Would you be interested in creams also? Here are some of my favorite soaps and creams by price:
Palmolive soap stick-About $5. Tallow based.
Cella cream-$10. Also tallow based. Almond-cherry scented
D.R. Harris Arlington soap stick-$18. Tallow based. Citrus and fougere scented.
Castle Forbes Extract of Limes cream-$40. Glycerin based and a top performer.

Originally Posted by usakiwi

...Can anyone recommend a good soap to use?

Here is a good thread on economical soaps.

Here is a thread on the Central Kentucky Meet-Up, if you are interested.

Originally Posted by usakiwi

can anyone recommend a good soap to use?
thanks

Congrates and welcome to the forums. Pics of your razor would be nice
What's your price range for the soap? It's a YMMV thing, you'll have to use a few to find what you like. Visit the soap forum too.
There is a whole world of great soaps out there with more choice than ever before.

Welcome to the family. Any questions just ask. Lots of helpful people on the site.

Welcome to the forum, good to hear you are enjoying the straight razor shaving experience. Hard to recommend a good soap/cream because I have yet to find more than a couple of terrible ones out of about 40 soaps/creams that i have tried. Most in the will give you a good lather to shave with if you learn how to lather with them. Proraso seems easily and widely available and is as good a place to start as any. The cream in a tube version may be easier to learn on, creams usually are. Whichever one you get stay with it till you can make it work well consistently before trying others. Each different soap/cream can be a bit of a learning experience. Have fun.

Bob

Welcome

There are samples of soaps and creams to be had at some vendors. SRD is one, Maggards, old town shaving are a couple more. MdC is tops ABC is very nice as well. Barrister and Mann and Catie's Bubbles are very good. For creams Truefitt and Hill, Taylor of Bond and Castle Forbes are all very good.

i watched lynn's vid on how to shave and now progressed to full face shaving
i think I'm getting better at it. my first 1 pass shave left me with the 5 o'clock shadow look i should say i started with a trimmed beard. now my checks are pretty smooth with little stubble on them. i found out my problem areas and they look more shaved just wanting to know if its me needing more practice which i know i need or if its the razor it's some generic brand RENREN when my wade and butcher come in i'll shave with it. so is it me or the razor?