I'm New - Help!

Hello, all - total newbie here. And I need help. I've decided that I want to switch from scraping with a cheese-grater (M3) to shaving with a straight. And that's as far as I've got. I've lurked for a while, read around, watched videos on YouTube - and I'm stuck. I don't know what I need to do first. I don't know what to learn, what to buy, or what to do.

Help! Please! There are too many options and things to do. What do I need to do first?

Sorry that I'm being so non-specific, but that's my problem. Specific things I can deal with. I can look up, say, how to strop. Individual issues are no problem. I just don't know where to start...

Hey,

I am new also but maybe go into the store out there in Ottawa ( name escapes me at the moment) look at some stuff (do not buy anything yet , I suggest that you investigate first) see what you like and hopefully the staff are helpful and you get a hands on feel for stuff etc. That would give you a start on pricing and prepare you for the capital investment to start. Then some of the other Ottawa members might also chime in and help you out too.

Then when you know what type of razor you like look on buy/sell/trade forum for items that match you likes etc. Then look for a starter kit of item from one of the vendors or a package deal on buy/ sell/trade. Overall patience is better on the pocket book sometimes so you do not have too much too fast. All of this is just MHO.

Best of luck

All Hail The Supreme Canuck :D

First, Welcome aboard :nj

Next: Suggest you purchase Lynn's DVD

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=7412

It has a great amount of information for a new guy. You'll learn about razors, strops, hones, etc. Get it first and watch it. You'll probably end up with some ideas of what you might like after watching it.

Also, I might suggest you look at Tony Miller's site www.thewellshavedgentleman.com He has good starter kits for very fair prices.

Alternately, you can check the Buy/Sell/Trade forum for razors. Joshearl has a fantastic reputation for selling great starter razors at excellent prices.

Spend some time in the SRP library, and use the search feature of this forum and look for different keywords to get a lot of information that might help you decide what you would like.

And don't forget to ask questions. We don't bite ;)

Happy hunting!!

Hi,
I'd suggest buying a new razor and strop. Give yourself a chance to do well with good equipment that is ready to go. Classicshaving.com has a few new Dovo's priced reasonably low (4/8 for under $50). I'd also invest in Lynn's DVD. When it arrives, watch the sections on stropping and shaving. The other sections (honing, restoration, etc) can wait 'till later.
I went into this "blind" and took some nasty cuts.
So, based on what I DIDN"T do, I'd suggest you begin by shaving just your cheeks on both sides--with the grain only. When you have better control of the blade, move on to you neck and then, finally, upper lip and chin. Take your time. Be patient. (For awhile, you can finish up the early shaves with whatever you are using now.) In time, you'll be doing your entire face with a straight with minimal damage throughout the learning process. I'd also suggest not trying across the grain (xtg) or against the grain (agt) until you have mastered with the grain (wtg) over your entire face.
Hope that helps a little.
Good luck!
Ron

Tony is a great way to start and he's flexible. If you don't get one of his starter kits make sure you at least get a starter strop. Best value for $. Consider picking up a pasted paddle in a few weeks or months for maintenance.

Colleen has some great soaps. Try the Leatherneck for muskiness and the Highlander for freshness. Lots of guys like the Cavendish Black as well. She even sells some starter kits too which include a basic brush. You can upgrade that later. Don't get me started on how wonderful her creams are. :bow

Alternately you can post a WTB thread in the BST forum for a starter razor. Quote your price range and preferred shape and size, etc. As a start I'd recommend a 5/8 or 6/8 and a half hollow, full hollow or double hollow would be fine. Point shape is immaterial, only a matter of preference, IMHO.

That should get you started right.

X

I'd suggest if you buy a new razor you send it to Lynn to have it honed. That way you know what a properly sharp razor is like to begin with. Just be careful stropping it. Someone I know promptly dulled his fresh Lynn-honed Heljestrand the first trip to the strop.

J.

[quote= I don't know what I need to do first. I don't know what to learn, what to buy, or what to do.

Help! Please! There are too many options and things to do. What do I need to do first?

quote]

As a minimum, if you haven't done so as yet, I would suggest you read this post:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=6759

There is plenty of good common sense info in this post.

Welcome to the journey!:)

Well, first off, thanks to all of you for the kind welcome!

Thanks for the advice as well - I've already read through The Well-Shaved Gentleman (and a lot of other stuff, as well), so I have a pretty good idea of what to do. I will pick up a copy of the DVD, though, I think. Now, from what I'm seeing from a couple of you (Ron A, especially) is that once I have the information on the "how" - and I more or less do - I should just jump in and buy a razor, strop, etc.? Seems like I'm missing a step there.

That's where my real hang-up is. I've got the information, I just don't know the next step.

Hi,
That's the way I see it. If you have the information and know what to do, I think the next step is to purchase the following (either in a starter kit, or individually):
1. Razor (I'd recommend a new one in order to give yourself a chance for a good start.)
2. Badger hair brush. The smaller, pure badger brushes are not really expensive.
3. A quality soap. Classicshaving.com might be a good place to start.
4. Two-sided strop: linen/leather.

Once the equipment arrives, have at it!!-- (but slowly, as I suggested in my previous post).
Best wishes and sorry if I confused you earlier!!
Ron A.

No, there's no confusion. It just seems like I'm missing an intermediate step. If not, I'm going to order that DVD and everything you've listed.

Anyway, we may as well talk razors, then. (C'mon, you know you want to)

I have my eye on the DOVO Bergischer Lowe 5/8 from Classic Shaving. I know it's more expensive than some razors available, but I've fallen in love with the thing. Good bet or bad bet?

I'm also looking at the DOVO Classic Special 5/8 as a cheaper option.

Thoughts?

Welcome!

The Dovo BL, honed by a honemeister (Lynn) before you have a go at your face, seems like an excellent choice!

I would recommend it, as well as a second cheaper "shave-ready" from BST section at some point. The way I see it, you don't want to experiment too much with a nice razor (such as the BL; having said this - I did experiment with my nicest razor as a newbie and didn't have any problems, but others have not been as lucky)

A top of the line Tony strop is also great, but get some practice on a "second" (Tony used to give them for free with a purchase of a nice strop) or an old belt. And if you are practicing with Lynn's edge - take it easy and light

Good luck
Ivo

Thus, your theoretical intermediate step that your brain is telling you about, considering buying some knockaround stuff for learning on.

I think the BL is a great razor and I think spending "that much" money is a paradigm you have to learn to break. Its not much when you consider they function great for the rest of your life but, the cheaper version might still be better to learn on. Either option is great though. If you think it'll improve your motivation than get the BL. One reason not to get the BL is that it uses a little strange tube around the shank instead of jimps which can move around, get rust under pretty easy etc.

I would lean more towards a cheaper Dovo carbon blade to start as the jimps are similar to other razors and learning to care for a carbon razor is a good thing to have down before you have a BL, which I find rust if you look at them funny.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Supreme Canuck

Well, first off, thanks to all of you for the kind welcome!

Thanks for the advice as well - I've already read through The Well-Shaved Gentleman (and a lot of other stuff, as well), so I have a pretty good idea of what to do. I will pick up a copy of the DVD, though, I think. Now, from what I'm seeing from a couple of you (Ron A, especially) is that once I have the information on the "how" - and I more or less do - I should just jump in and buy a razor, strop, etc.? Seems like I'm missing a step there.

That's where my real hang-up is. I've got the information, I just don't know the next step.

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Where there are places to get the same stuff from multiple vendors, be sure to shop around and compare the shipping costs. I've seen big difference amongst vendors shipping up north.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by izlat

The way I see it, you don't want to experiment too much with a nice razor (such as the BL; having said this - I did experiment with my nicest razor as a newbie and didn't have any problems, but others have not been as lucky)

A top of the line Tony strop is also great, but get some practice on a "second" (Tony used to give them for free with a purchase of a nice strop) or an old belt. And if you are practicing with Lynn's edge - take it easy and light

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That's actually central to the decision I'm making about which razor I'd want. Of course, I want something nice, but I don't want to ruin it. Good point about strops, as well. Do you know if Tony (Miller, yes?) still does that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I would lean more towards a cheaper Dovo carbon blade to start as the jimps are similar to other razors and learning to care for a carbon razor is a good thing to have down before you have a BL, which I find rust if you look at them funny.

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And that's why I ask - something to consider, then. I'll shop around a bit more, and see if I can come up with something like that and still fall in love with it, too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BrianP

Where there are places to get the same stuff from multiple vendors, be sure to shop around and compare the shipping costs. I've seen big difference amongst vendors shipping up north.

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Good call. International shipping can be killer.

good advice here so far.

that BL is gonna be a great razor and coming from classic shaving they will have lynn hone it, if you choose that option and you should, before it arrives to you. also, you will want more then 1 razor so picking one up for 30$'ish on the B/S/T forum is also a good idea, you can practice with it and learn techniques from stropping to honing this way.

something different. pick up the telephone and call Tony. the people and vendors you see here will take the time and email/talk with you to describe what they have and what they think is best for your expertise/situation. call him he's great to talk with. personally i've spoken with him on multiple occasions from ordering strops to custom bench hones. his #1best 3inch wide strops are to die for, and i think he will still send you practice strop with it. if he doesn't still do that just ask him while on the fone to send you a prace one and he'll make ya something on the cheap (it won't have all the metal hardware at the ends etc etc but it will do great as a learning strop). you will strop every day so a good strop is a good idea.

get a brush. your first doesn't have to be a top of the line, but badger is nice and they are reasonably priced about 45-55$ ..obvoiusly the top of the lines go 100++.

get a soap/cream of your choice. the vendors here make fantastic products. creams from bigger manufacturers are also good, nancy boy, 3T's etc etc but for soaps the small makers on this site make by far the best products. one of the best parts of this shaving is you get to smell like whatever you are feeling like at the time. pick a scent you will like and order up. cream may be a good starting point as i have found it offers a bit more cushion while learning, but i'm a pure soap user as i've found it gives closer shaves and i like the fact that the lather comes off my razor under running water without being too sticky to the blade :).

now the intermediate steps you are talking about will be the upkeep of your sharp edge. this is where you get into honing. there are various products to choose from. norton 4k/8k combo stone is by far the workhorse for us all. but to refine the edge more you need a finishing hone of some kind. people use all different choices from thuringins to corticules to eschers to barber hones to chinese 12k's to pasted paddle/bench strops with diamond or chromium powder on them. lots too choose from here and you will pick based on your price range and what you are how often you will be planning to use it, and ofcourse as time goes on the feel that you get from it will ultimately move you to use one or the other.

remember, this is a learning process. for you and your technique and your skin to the feel of the blade. its not fast, don't expect a perfect shave your first week, but with practice it will reward you with an amazingly close and comfortable shave!

~J

Hi,
Either razor you are asking about would be fine. I have a 5/8 "Special" and it is a terrific razor--at least for me.
I do find it easier for me to shave with a 5/8 over a 6/8. But that is just me. I prefer the little added manueverability in tricky spots.
Ron

After reading through a bit more, I think I've decided on a cheaper razor to start - it seems just about certain that I'm going to foul it up somehow. I'll also talk to Tony, and see if I can't get my hands on a cheaper strop to start with as well.

Thanks to all for their advice here, it's really helped!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Supreme Canuck

After reading through a bit more, I think I've decided on a cheaper razor to start - it seems just about certain that I'm going to foul it up somehow. I'll also talk to Tony, and see if I can't get my hands on a cheaper strop to start with as well.

Thanks to all for their advice here, it's really helped!

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As you are planning on talking to Tony about a strop you might want to consider his starter sets and thus reduce the overall shipping cost for the initial shaving kit.
I seem to recall that Tony is on a bit of a vacation this week, check the vendor forums for the details, so he might not be available right now. DO NOT PANIC!!! he will soon be back. The wait is worthwhile i've purchaced 4 strops, a bench hone and a hunsrueck from him they are all exceptional.
You will find that the vendors that you hear about on the forum all have exceptional customer service.