Starting on a tight budget

Hey guys,

Very brief backstory (a bit more in my intro post), I'm in Addiction Recovery. This is actually what has brought me here as a crucial part of my recovery is taking time for myself and taking care of myself (in my addiction, I rarely shaved as taking 10-15 mins for myself felt like a waste of time). Both the aspect of learning a skill and taking more time to take care of myself have me excited to include regular shaving as part of my recovery.

Why do I introduce this? My therapy costs are already pushing the limits of our family budget, so disposable income is not really available. I bring this up to clarify why I have a need to watch costs, and avoid answers that I will just have to dig down and open the purse strings a bit more.

With that said, I have read some of the guides and posts here and had the idea that the most affordable way for me to get started would be to purchase an inexpensive Shave-Ready Razor from the Classifeds here, and get myself a strop (I'm still not sure the best place to get this on a budget, the least expensive I've seen perusing links was $45; maybe that is the best I can get and I'll have to make that work) any advice of budget strops appreciated.

The real question I have is can I get away without the brush, soap, mug etc.? My idea is to use shaving cream in the mean time. I know I will enjoy learning and adding that part to the process, but the cost of razor and strop alone already have me struggling, so if I can put off that expense for a little while it would be great. I do at least have a really good shaving cream that my wife gave me, that isn't the standard drug store can crap, but made with more natural ingredients and works amazingly well. Just switching to it with a disposable razor has already made a night and day difference in my shaves. So I was hoping that might be workable until I can afford to upgrade to the brush soap combo.

Thank you for your time, this seems like a great and well informed community and I appreciate your feedback.

Welcome to SRP. Not sure how much your therapy costs but AA and NA are free and they work if you work them. My advice would be to get a DE (double edge) and a blade sampler pack. Good shaves and in the short run cheaper than straights. Taking into consideration the cost of strop, brush, pucks of soap. A can of goo, a DE and blades are probably more cost effective IMHO.

IME if you're going to shave with straights it is best to have at least two, better three, in case you have to send one out for honing or repair. You need a strop, and if you get into the honing you need the hones and the lapping plate, though you can use sandpaper. Until the situation allows that the DE will suffice, and is always a good backup if you can't shave with the straight for whatever reason. :gl:

Thanks for the Welcome Jimmy. I do also attend 12 step meetings 3-4 times/week and they are great and a big part of my recovery as well, but unfortunately I also have some pretty deep issues to resolve (at least now I'm starting to recognize them) and therapy has been crucial and has also provided me the best tools for dealing with my addiction; despite it's cost it is a non-optional expense as my recovery is the most important thing in my life.

I appreciate the advice on the Double Edge, I've done a little bit of reading about it, but not a lot as I was drawn to Straight Razor. I will look into some more and consider that as an option, though initially I feel like if it's just a temporary measure I may as well just continue with disposables for now until Straight Razor shaving is affordable, but again that's just first thoughts I'll do the reading. I am aware of the long-term costs of Straight Razor, and am excited to learn on this journey (learning a new skill is part of the draw for me here), my goal is to get started on the path and overtime slowly add in the additional pieces and skills as money allows (I also hopefully won't be therapy forever. =)

Thanks again!

What is your budget?

Guys that start looking to save money, or do it on the real cheap, usually have a hard time.

As with most things the better the quality, the easier it is to get good repeatable results. There is also a learning curve and a hands-on mentor will cut the learning time considerable.

Double edge sounds like the way to go, if buying soap is an issue.

Well, if we're already into sharing...

I started SR shaving while in recovery too. I wasn't addicted, but I was a mess and couldn't work, and my doctor told me to get a hobby. and a shave.

So I bought my first Gold Dollar, a six pack of arco, an Omega brush and stropped on a newspaper. 25$ for the whole set.
In time, I started putting out a budget for my shaving, and it grew... I got another, better, razor 3 months after, and a strop.
It wasn't the best shave, but it was a start. and it made me feel good about myself. I loved it, even though a gold dollar is perceived as trash around here....

It's a good way to go, In my honest opinion, and it's a damn good hobby. It's meditative, it makes you feel good and look good.
Anyway, any razor from sheffield \ Solingen will be fine, and you can find them at the flee markets for a few dollars. A hone will cost 5-10$, a nice soap about 4$ (and a bar will last for about 3-4 months) and a starter boar brush will cost about 6$. You can strop on a newspaper for now :]

We're here to help :] Good luck!

Euclid, if I had to pick a budget it would be under $50, that being said I know that's not realistic, but I guess I'm trying to see if I can even come close to something affordable, being able to buy things a piece at a time and space it out over a while.

Haim, thanks for sharing brother!
Stroping on newspaper sounds one of those temporary cost savers that might be a game changer. I hadn't heard that before, thanks for the idea! While bargain hunting and honing my own razor sounds like something I'd like to be able to do eventually, without any understanding of what a properly honed razor should feel like I'd be swimming in the dark, so I think I'd be better served to at least start with something proper so I have a reference. I have seen the Gold Dollar (as it has an attractive $25 price tag), but was also very cautious as a result of that price tag. I have heard some good reviews, but also seen some bad ones. I know the prevailing advice on here is to avoid.

Thanks again for the advice!

You can also use the inside of a cereal box for a strop.

Still, you'd be better off starting with a DE razor. As already pointed out, it's cheaper and works as a great backup while learning how to use the straight and it also would be more convenient for when you are in a rush.

A DE will allow you to concentrate on getting good, consistent, beard prep. After a while, then get a straight. Canned goo will work for a while! By a Gillette DE from classified or a good one off the 'bay. A blade sampler from one of the vendors will start you off with a choice. A boar brush will set you back about $10to$25 and any high tallow content soap will lather. Shave soaps tend to lather and protect your face better than hand soap.

Cheapest way to go...A Van der Hagen set at ~$9 to $25. Shampoo the brush a few times till it stops shedding and loses it smell! That's what I started with a few years back and the soap is better than many "As seen on TV" or heavily shilled products touted on some forums/Facebook.
Enjoy the shaves while getting your act together! (PS do not let the 12 step group attach your recovering addictive nature to it!!)

~Richard

Welcome. I think you will find that there are more than a couple recovering people here. Shave nirvana is all about the journey. Don't make it complicated. Get the type of gear you want to shave with and perfect your technique. There are many many paths, just pick one and focus.

BlueJazz777
If you are not in a huge hurry, I have a 5/8" round nose King Cutter I will clean up and send you.
Just PM me your address.
Mike

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Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

BlueJazz777
If you are not in a huge hurry, I have a 5/8" round nose King Cutter I will clean up and send you.
Just PM me your address.
Mike

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You can't go wrong with that! :)

I was going to suggest using a shavette if you want to get a SR shave on a budget. They resemble a SR and use a DE blade snapped in half and inserted into a holder. You then shave with it as you would a SR.

Regardless of whether you get that King Cutter, use a shavette, or go the DE route, you don't have to spend a gazillion dollars on soaps and brushes. Others have mentioned the VDH brush, mug, and soap set. Another option is to get a basic Omega boar brush from SRD for 5-8 dollars and either a tub of the SRD essential oils soap in unscented for 8 dollars or a tub of Proraso for 10.

Edited to add that I just saw you hail from British Columbia. So ordering from Straight Razor Designs and having your order shipped to you would be a bit expensive. But I'm sure Canadian retailers would sell the Proraso and the Omega brushes cheaply as well.

I have a cheap strop, brush, and soaps that I am willing to send you if you live in the USA. Just pm me your address and I will send it too you tomorrow or Thursday

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Originally Posted by crazy4str8tsinnc

I have a cheap strop, brush, and soaps that I am willing to send you if you live in the USA. Just pm me your address and I will send it too you tomorrow or Thursday

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Tomorrow or Friday

I was going to say, interestingly enough I was looking at the shaving section in the local Wal-Mart. I like some of the old-school scents, so I'm always on the look out for aqua velva, old spice, clubman etc. Turns out wet shaving has become popular enough that they actually carry puck soap, and a double edge kit complete with badger brush, stand, and razor. I think it was under 25 bucks. Can't remember if it had a mug with it, but I want to say it was everything you need to start wet shaving. Still might be a good backup to have handy if you link up with Craig and get a straight. There's a bit of a learning curve with them, so it would have been nice to have a backup handy for those days I was in a rush, or wanted a good shave with less razor burn from my inexperienced hand.

Just checked your profile and saw that you are in BC. Send me your address anyway so that I can check shipping costs.

Wow, I'm away from the computer for a few hours and come back to this, what an enjoyable surprise! Thank you everyone for all your support. I started the day unsure of whether I'd be able to pursue this, and now feel confident it will happen soon. This truly is a great community and it is so refreshing to find such generosity in the world. Thank you all again!

You will find it to be a very helpful giving community here. Any omega boar brush and a arko or palmolive shave stick will be fine and quite cheap off ebay. Newspaper, nylon webbing etc work well and cost little. A search for strop substitutes will bring many options. As said a shavette or de will give you the basics of prep and how to shave without the need for a strop or honing and provide a back up when honing is needed. A de will be far better shaves than a disposable. You will be better off getting a couple decent items at a time and making a start than buying low and upgrading later.

Looks like you are sorted with a razor. I've got a shaving brush, creams and balms I will send out, and I've got an unused replaceable bed for a Supex paddle strop too. You will have to sort that out by attaching to a block of wood in order to make a bench strop or something similar.

Question is, what do you then do with your $50 budget. There are two things you need to keep in mind. You won't hit shaving nirvana eventually. It is a journey to get there. You will nick your strop, roll your edge and become thoroughly despondent at times with the progress you are making. That is ok, and each little set back is a lesson and you get better. However, it does mean that you have to factor in costs to deal with this - honing costs when you roll the edge on your razor, and replacement strops etc. Keep looking in the classifieds for a back up razor for when you have to send your razor away.

Take up every generous offer, great bunch of gents here. Best of luck.

You have already received many generous offers of help; an unparalleled aspect of this community within the internet! I wish you well on both of your journeys: recovery & straight shaving. I'm willing to bet that you will find similarities between the two. Things like patience & sticking with something that seems difficult now, but will feel good & enjoyable & rewarding later on.

In considering getting started on a budget, I have heard nothing but good things about Larry over at Whipped Dog.

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

A "sight unseen flawed razor" will cost $28, + $3 for shipping to Canada. And a "Poor Man strop kit" will cost $25, + another $3 for shipping to Canada. The razor would definitely qualify as an "ugly duckling" by our standards here, but you can bet your :cen that it will give a decent shave!

Slightly beyond your budget, but still a good place to start for the money. Also a bit redundant after other members start mailing things off "because the breeze hit the back of their neck"... lol. Still an option to keep in mind for later.

Thank you again for all the great support and advice here. Thanks to the generosity of this community I will have everything I need to get started here in a few weeks. I'm excited to start this journey and look forward to contributing more on this forum and also to keep returning for advice as I learn the trade.

Crawler, I will definitely hold onto that link. That looks like a great option for getting some low cost supplies, I'm sure it will come in handy.

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Originally Posted by Crawler

In considering getting started on a budget, I have heard nothing but good things about Larry over at Whipped Dog.

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Disparaging of vendors is not allowed.

Welcome to the forum. If you want I will hone up a razor so you have a back up and give you a barber hone to refresh your edge. Just do some research on using the hone before you attempt it. I would hate for you to ruin the edge. This should keep you busy between learning to shave and strop. Send me a Pm with your address. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Utopian

Disparaging of vendors is not allowed.

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Heard nothing but good things about SRD, but never see this kind of "reminder" when praise is heaped on them....

Yes. I am clearly and unapologetically a Whipped Dog fanboy! I spent $100 to get started and have had an absolutely wonderful experience! Spent $300 on shiny new stuff to get my son started and he had an equally wonderful experience! I just had $200 more to spend on cool stuff later...YMMV :)

Looks like you are all sorted out but if you need a backup razor, I was very pleasantly surprised by the out of the box shave quality of a ZY straight razor I purchased on eBay for $10. It was shave ready and ready to go after a stropping.

Handjam, I know nothing about xy razors, and therefore will not criticise them. However, for a newbie getting into shaving, as Michael is, it is a really bad idea to go for a 10 dollar new blade production. In all likelihood that would be one fifth of his budget down the drain. We like newbies to go for tried and tested methods eg reputable members honing their razors for the simple reason that it vastly increased their chances of enjoying their experience and staying for a longer ride.

Damo,
I stand by my advice. I ordered three ZY razors and they were all excellent. Maybe you should try one. It's money well spent.

Sorry Handjam, was typing the last response on my phone, didn't mean to sound too terse.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...r-arrived.html
There seems to be a solitary thread on the ZY razor that I can find on SRP. Some well established members do indeed say that the razor can be made shave ready and has edge retention. It is also noticeable from the thread that none of the members had a shave ready razor out of the box, and that there were build issues with the razors - see the image of the cut up strop.

Now, at no point did I say that a ZY razor was the end of the world. If people can get an excellent shave from them then great. A few more reviews from established honemeisters on the SRP would be very welcome too. If the build and grind is good, and they hone well then I would be pleased for the company.

However, in the situation we are in currently, where the only review thread of the razor stated the best edge was at 4K out of the box, this is clearly unsuitable for someone who 1. has a limited budget to blow on a razor which might not be any good and 2. needs to feel what a great shave ready razor feels like in order to become enthused with shaving with a straight.
Therefore the best advice is still for a beginner to buy a razor from a person who can guarantee the shave readiness of the razor.

Hi Brother Damo,

No offense taken. We are all friends here. Hopefully I did not offend you.

I would humbly propose that I paypal you $10 so that you might purchase a ZY razor honed my Master Piu from eBay at no risk to yourself and have direct experience with it. Please share your experience with us after stropping it up and shaving.

If it shaves well then it would please me greatly if it became part of your rotation or you passed it along to the next beginner that arrives on these shores looking to get into this hobby. If it shaves poorly, then you can let us know so that others won't make the same mistake, and maybe you could still pass the razor along to somebody who would like to practice stropping or honing.

If it is a complete piece of garbage, then it would still be a good conversation starter as a cheese slicer at your next picnic :-)

In any case, we will all be richer for your experience.

:HJ Any further posts related to this ZY razor will be deleted. The OP had a question and lets stick with the topic. The questionable razor has been recommended, and discussed. It is now :OT If anyone wishes to discuss the merits of that particular razor start a new thread. Thanks in advance for your understanding.

michael, here are a couple of links I found useful early in shaving with a straight. Whilst you wait for the razors and kit to arrive, have a browse of these:

Stropping:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...st-2012-a.html

Building a good lather
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zESTQWDuw

Of course, it is always worth watching Lynn just to see the process of going through an entire shave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Thanks for the links! I'd already watched Lynn's How to video, and think I'll watch another time or two before getting started, and I'll definitely check out these other ones too.