Thread: Hello from England!

Hi!

Well, I am going to buy a cut-throat. However I have a question. I saw a really nice blade at Taylors of Old Bond Street (I won't put there website here because I'm not sure I'm allowed--I did look for the rules but couldn't find them so will play it safe) but it's going to be expensive.

Razor: £125
Honing Stone: £14
Strop: £40
Paste: £7
Case: £17

Total: £203

This has been rounded up, so it's a tiny bit cheaper but that's the essential cost. What I wanted to ask though was: is all that really necessary for a newbie? Would I be better off going for a cheaper solution? I am just wondering because I have seen some straight edge razors under £10 though they look hideous (imo) and use disposable blades. But I guess if they're OK to start with, it would be a good way to learn and find out if it's my thing before I move higher end.

These super cheap razors, they say, don't need to be honed or sharpened. You just shave, and after 2 or 3 shaves insert a new blade.

Thanks.

Dan

I bought most of my start up stuff from one single site in order to save on shipping. I went with an American site which has very reasonable prices in my opinion and had it all shipped in one box. I think it was 2 razors, a leather case for travel needs, a strop, aftershave, a lynn cd, a hone, soap and some styptic.

Shipping was not at all unreasonable and what with the dollar being where it was/is and the site itself being a good all-round site I do believe that I saved a bit not going with one of our fellow European merchants. But don't make me swear on it as I have not done the math


On the subject of disposable blade straights, not having used one myself, word on the street is that the experience is not a good measurement of what a real straight is like.
One of the reasons being the cutting edge of the blade I imagine. There seems to be much more variety to the solid razors than to the disposable blades, going from wedge to whichever extra, extra hollow ground type you pick.
Others have stated that they might even be too sharp some of the disposable razors, I think it was in regards to a feather I heard this.

Ps. I do believe that it is ok to link to sites and what you intend to buy here. At least I've done it before and I'm not ashamed to say that I bought my first stuff from Classicshaving

One way to save a bit of money if you want would be to buy a prepasted 4 sided paddlestrop with 3 diferent grit pastes and a normal leather side, instead of a hone. You can get those from Tony at either the gentlemansquarter or thewellshaved gentleman. One of them is Colleen and her very nice soap shop and the other is Tonys place where you can get the foursided pasted paddle, sorry I always mix up the names of those 2 places.
And as someone else will most certainly mention this you could try out the BST section for a razor or maybe even a whole starter kit unless you're dead set on a special look of one of the new razors.

Pps: welcome to the site. It struck me that you might not know the many sites. Also you have not mentioned a brush, are you a previous wetshaver either by safety razor or a mach of sorts? Might want to look at a brush if not as it is a big part of the fun of straight shaving.

Hey Dan,

Welcome to the board firstly and it's always nice to see news faces from the same neck of the woods so to speak.

Firstly, I would not go near Taylors for a razor, let alone for your first razor. I would recommend purchasing a used razor from the Buy/Sell/Trade section of this forum. Many of the blades that go through are in excellent condition and you wont find them at a cheaper price. This way, you're almost sure to get a blade that is 'shave ready'. Personally I wouldn't bother with the disposable route.

To start with you will need a razor and a strop. If the razor is already sharp then a strop will keep the edge good for many months until it will need sharpened on a hone. A cheap strop is best to begin with as you are likely to put a few nicks in it when learning and increasing your speed. A shave ready razor will eat leather and linen for breakfast.

As far as hones go. They are like hens teeth in the BST so normally best to buy them new. Howard who is a member on this board has unbeatable prices and is where I purchased my hones from. A Belgian coticule will be enough to keep your razor shave sharp for many years. Although, if your thinking of buying new razors from shops, off ebay or someone who has ruined an edge. You will require lower grits in order to establish bevels etc etc. Talk, to Howard as I'm sure he can kit you out with a lifetime of stones. www.theperfectedge.com

I'm guessing you are already knowledged in the world of Badger hair brushes, cake soaps, creams and Aftershaves etc?

Hope this helps and I'm sure the guys will add to whatever I have left out.

Happy shaving!

I would also like to add that there is a valued member on the board whom goes by the handle 'Kenrup'. Ken frequently sells starter kits that has pretty much everything you need and are of excellent quality.

He may pitch in with more info.

Don't mike ratcliff (spelling?) also have starter sets?

Anyhoo, heres some links to sites in case you're new to wetshaving and have time now or in the future to browse a bit.

http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html
http://www.theperfectedge.com/
http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/
http://www.bear-haven.com/
http://www.thegentlemensquarter.com/
www.thewellshavedgentleman.com
http://www.rasurpur.de/english/shop/shop.html

There are more, many more.

Ps. Kendrup has put out some nice start kits in the past as poon said, worth looking into unless you're dead set.

Wasn't aware if Mike does starter kits. If he does, I hear great things about his service (razors, honing etc)

I think I have a good brush. Not entirely sure, but it's never let me down when I used my Quatro. I also have a cake soap. Not sure if it's any good but again it's never really let me down. At least not when I learned how to use it properly. Not sure I am following you with cream. What sort do you mean?

I think I might go and buy an aftershave in a store so I can get an idea of the smell first though I guess my options are limited.

I'll check the links out a bit later (need sleep!)

Just out of curiousity, and I'm asking with all innocent intentions, why wouldn't you touch Taylors?

Hello from Wales Dan,
You could also try www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk
He sells shave ready vintage razors, new dovos and all the gear.
Good luck M

Ah Wales. The land of my fathers!

I'm a Celt, you know. My blood runs through the Welsh and Scottish. I am traditional British. None of that Anglo-Saxon stuff We were here before the Romans!

Anyway. Thank you for your reply. I will digest it and go (internet explorer) window shopping a bit later.

I did a profile search on Kenrup and PMed him for information as he said on another thread about starter kits.

Welcome Dan!

Don't think Graham was meaning that Taylors were contagious or anything - just that a new razor is not going to be shave ready -and Taylors won't do anything about that. If you buy a used razor here on BST that states it is shave ready then you will have a good razor that will do the job in hand and give you a reference for what is sharp when you need to get it back to that stage! Also a good starter razor will cost you £25 or less from here - although by all means spend more! It is important to start off with a good edge - Matts suggestion of contacting Steve at invisible edge is a good one too. I would also suggest taking a bit of time to practice stropping - even a good shave ready edge can be made pretty blunt in one bad stropping session. Check out videos on this and get out a butter knife to practice till your 'form' gets better.

It's all good fun though - if it was easy it would be boring!! This is the place to find all the support and info you need.

All the best
Stephen