Thread: The $30 shave vs the $450+ shave

This is for beginners to the sport of shaving with a straight razor.

I had an excellent shave this morning with a vintage straight razor from an obscure English maker, a lovely shave cream that would not break the bank to purchase and a well broke in Omega boar brush. All of which cost me about $30 to buy.

The difference in the end result, a very close and comfortable shave, was no different than when I use some of my much more expensive straight razor, shave cream and brush combinations.

My take away is that so long as your straight razor is shave ready, your shaving technique is on, your lathering technique is on and your stropping technique is on, the equipment used has little effect on the shave quality achieved.

It is probably best for a beginner to concentrate on the basics of a good shave rather than to chase the Holy Grail of razors, brushes and shave creams/soaps. Once you have put in the time to get the basics down you can chase those Holy Grails for the increased pleasure the use of such kit may bring.

Bob