Thread: What to buy: Shaving necessities vs. shaving luxuries

I hate to see beginners think that you need to spend lots of money in order to get an excellent shave.

The physical necessities are a "shave ready" razor regardless of what it costs but you need to know how to use it. A good soap/cream and brush regardless of cost but you need to know how to make a lather. A decent strop regardless of cost but you need to know how to strop. You can probably get all those for $100 - $150. What you can't buy is the skill to use them properly in a sort period of time. That only is bought through patience and lots of time actually learning while shaving.

Once you are getting excellent shaves from basic gear you can decide if you want to go down the various rabbit holes acquiring expensive luxury gear.

If you can't get an excellent shave with an inexpensive vintage shave ready razor, a well broke in inexpensive boar brush and a stick of Arko the problem is likely looking at you from the mirror you are staring into while shaving. Is it as enjoyable or as much fun as using expensive gear? Maybe not, but for all intents and purposes the shaves should be damn near the same.

There is room for everyone in this game no matter how you want to roll.

Bob