Thread: $$ Cost of Startup $$

I would like to ask this as a question, but use it as an invitation for some older members to let us know how much you have invested in Straight Razor Shaving, and how much you invested before your first shave?

I thought I could find a cheap ebay razor, sharpen it and start using a straight razor for under $20 within a week. After finding this forum, I will probably avoid a lot of mistakes, but have invested much more than originally considered.

I purchased an $18 razor on ebay and will spend $30-70 more by a honemeister here to hone and possibly re-scale. I then purchased a shave ready beauty in BST for $100 and plan to get started with that. I am going to get all other accessories from vendors here in the forum which should run another $175. This will total (roughly) $300-$400 before my first shave!!! I would never have planned to spend this much, but now I am afraid to use a cheap razor, blow my money on a useless brush or strop, and would only save $50-100 buying lower quality products than what was recommended by members here. I know this is a long message so...

How much spent before first shave?
How much invested total to support our hobby?

Thanks for your participation and advice!!!

I've spent the same amount as you and I've yet to have my first shave. I know it sucks when your budget jumps a couple hundred dollars, but keep in mind that the things you get for the money will last a really long time and you could likely recoup a good amount of what you spent initially should you decide to switch back to disposables. It's like a lot of hobbies that have a high start-up cost, but you get tools that will last for years. Anyway, we're all in the same boat.

Peace

OK lets go way back to 1981 I bought a new straight for $52 an Illinois #827 strop for $15 and a white "something I can't remember" stone for $100 so back then it was $167 to start....
I still use the strop and the stone the razor was dropped and chipped sometime in the mid 1990's and I didn't return to straights until last year...
Now my collection and amenities ,,,,well I don't want to discuss that.... RAD, HAD, SCAD, SSAD, and ASAD set in don't ask what they all mean it will cost ya $$$$$
Welcome aboard the straight train may yer ride be smooth and long

You guys sure are quick to reply. I read my post and just want to make clear, that I am in no way complaining and hope that I do not discourage any newbies. I am glad that I found this forum to make good decisions and to acquire higher quality equipment. I can't imagin how things might have gone with trial and error with a straight razor. I still look forward to my first shave and really wanted to invite some veterans to reminisce and share with us newbs.

When I started I bought a TI Silver Steel and a Dovo Strop and some cheapo soap and a basic best badger brush. probably about $200 for everything and looking back the TI was a mistake. I should have bought a used razor for about $40 or so.

Well, I admit that I am sick.

So far, I have bought about 32 razors; one from classicshaving, mostly ebay, and about 5 from a flea market. Only 4 of these are usable right now, but I have plans....

I also bought Trafalgar travel badger brush, Dr. Harris soap, Taylor of Old Brad Street after shave gel, strop, 4000/8000 Norton, Belgian Coticule, MAAS polish, different grade rogues, restoration CD, Dremel polish supplies, lots of sand paper, storage boxes, and other odds and ends. Most of this is not necessary for just shaving and maintaining, but as I said, I am sick.

I got a kit with a Bismark that was not shave ready, a brush of some sort that was stolen so i don't remember what it was, some tabac, a brush stand, and a dovo russian strop. All told that was around $250 I think. I cut the heck out of myself and messed my face up cause I didn't know it wasn't really shave sharp.

That is why I make the newby kits for people. I must admit that I am slow since everyone seem to want my top end razors that take lots of work and my job has not been forgiving timewise lately (at least if I want to be employed at the end of the month) but for those who are patient it gets newbs a cheaper way to get started than making mistakes and gert them stuff from the local vendors like Jim at Vintage Blades, Tony Miller, Mama Bear and Colleen from The Gentleman's Quarter for all the rest of the stuff. That way they get a

Originally Posted by Rhunes29

I would like to ask this as a question, but use it as an invitation for some older members to let us know how much you have invested in Straight Razor Shaving, and how much you invested before your first shave?

I thought I could find a cheap ebay razor, sharpen it and start using a straight razor for under $20 within a week. After finding this forum, I will probably avoid a lot of mistakes, but have invested much more than originally considered.

I purchased an $18 razor on ebay and will spend $30-70 more by a honemeister here to hone and possibly re-scale. I then purchased a shave ready beauty in BST for $100 and plan to get started with that. I am going to get all other accessories from vendors here in the forum which should run another $175. This will total (roughly) $300-$400 before my first shave!!! I would never have planned to spend this much, but now I am afraid to use a cheap razor, blow my money on a useless brush or strop, and would only save $50-100 buying lower quality products than what was recommended by members here. I know this is a long message so...

How much spent before first shave?
How much invested total to support our hobby?

Thanks for your participation and advice!!!

To me if you have the means this is the way to go you will get a true gauge if you like it or not. And if you do not the stuff holds it value pretty well and just but it on the bst.

Also a newb, started about a month ago:

DOVO 5/8" Classic Black straight - $59.00
Pre-Honed Option: $19.99
DOVO Hanging Rindleder Strop - $35.00
Brush - $5.00 (Walgreen's badger)
Soap - $1.49 (William's Mug Soap)
Mug - Tea mug (large, around the house)

That's my total and from what feedback I've gotten, this is all I need to start up. Hope this helps man

initial set up cost me less than $1.50. father-in-law had a dovo razor, illinois strop 835, old spice mug and shave ready brush. gave it all to me. he uses foam and a cartridge because he could never get his hand to stop shaking with a straight. bummer for him.

if you want to know what i have spent now, that's another story. i did eventually buy another razor for $16 in case my father in law ever wanted his back, and had it honed for $10. so you could say that was part of my initial investment also.

vgod