Thread: Advice for a noob

I've been spending the last week or so reading up on straight razor shaving, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the different options, etc. I've just bought a razor from another member for what seems a good price for a decent razor, although I'm sure I'll eventually buy another one down the road, once I get the hang of what I'm doing and figure out what will best suit me.
Anyway, my question is essentially this: what should I do about everything else? Strop, brush, soap, etc. - should I go to the drugstore and get simple soap and brush and get a basic strop and wait and see what I really want later, or should I take time now to try to sift through everything? I have a feeling I should just jump in and get started, but I'm curious if anybody has any specific advice (e.g., spend more on a brush, different soap, etc.)
Thanks

What I did was go the drug store and get Surrey/ Van Der Hagen soap, a cheap boar brush and a small ceramic bowl. These came together in a little box too if you can find it. That should be good for now. I now have the Van Der Hagen glycerin and deluxe (the pink and amber ones) these soaps work great, they are nearly as good as any soap I own and i still use them in my rotation. (it feels good to finally have a "rotation") I'm still using that brush too, its good for hard soaps, although i have a badger on the way, which was also cheap...

The good thing about starting small is learning to use what you have, and doing it well. Using only one soap and the same brush helped me learn how to make good lather. With several soaps and creams it makes it hard to concentrate on technique because each is different. Plus Van Der Hagen is cheap and so is Williams mug soap which I also reccomend its a bit over a dollar a puck. Williams takes more water and work but is not a bad soap. There will be plenty of time to upgrade later.

As for strops, I cant help much...I only have a bench strop that was made for me by Tony miller. He makes great stuff and his entry level strop is supposed to be great and not too expensive. I think her uses the same material as the higher end one but saves you money on hardware like clasps and d rings etc. His site is The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier

Sorry I made this so long but when I started I think i would have found this helpful, good luck!!

EDIT: what razor did you get and is it shave ready? If not you might want to send it out to a pro like Lynn or someone else to get it sharp for you...

You could start off cheap, then move up to the good stuff, depending on if you like the experience or not. I agree with the drug store brush and soap. You could also go to a health food store in your area and pick up some Kiss My Face Shave cream for $4USD, it lathers up pretty well.

As for a bowl/mug/cup go to your local Goodwill/Salvation Army and look in the housewares section. I got a large soup/latte mug with a handle for 65 cents and I prefer it over an expensive Wedgwood scuttle that I have.

My two cents- Jump in and do it! If you find this isn't for you, which I highly doubt, I think you'll probably make some of your money back by selling the unwanted equipment back here on the forums. If you buy quality and stay, well, then you're a step ahead in the game. Instead of buying cheap and then re-buying quality, now you'll have more money to spend on your upcoming disorders, RAD and HAD! Enjoy!

My take on this is you can feel free to try anything you want without worry of risk because anything you buy and don't like can be traded or resold very quickly on this or other internet shaving forums.

Shop around, try several different things, but be careful not to automatically blame the product if your first shaves don't go perfectly

Yeah, visit Tony at The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier
He's a stand up guy and will get you just what you need. If you don't see it, just ask. Best bang for your buck, guaranteed.

X

Originally Posted by yul b. nekst

My two cents- Jump in and do it! If you find this isn't for you, which I highly doubt, I think you'll probably make some of your money back by selling the unwanted equipment back here on the forums. If you buy quality and stay, well, then you're a step ahead in the game. Instead of buying cheap and then re-buying quality, now you'll have more money to spend on your upcoming disorders, RAD and HAD! Enjoy!

I agree, buy the best soap and brush you can afford - within reason. You can get a decent badger brush for $40-$50 C&E or Vulfix come to mind. Soaps are a personal matter. Some guys love the cheap Williams, etc. Some don't. Try a variety of quality soaps. If you come in at the lowest rung and "don't like it", you won't have had the best you can get - so you won't really know. Also, a good brush and soap/cream can be used with other wet shaving methods if straights aren't for you.

Another for Tony. For the strop, I would start with a lower cost one because you will probably nick it a few times learning.

Jordan

You can ask most soap makers that I have heard of here at SRP for samples of their product. Very helpful in choosing what you like

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I'll be checking in with the Well Shaved Gentleman site once the store is back up and running - that seemed to be the one thing that was an obvious choice, based on what I'd read on the site.
tjiscooler - I bought this blue steel razor. The seller says it is ready to go, but I was planning on testing the blade before using and I might send it out to be honed, just to be sure. If you have any thoughts, I'd appreciate it

Originally Posted by bwlag

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I'll be checking in with the Well Shaved Gentleman site once the store is back up and running - that seemed to be the one thing that was an obvious choice, based on what I'd read on the site.
tjiscooler - I bought this blue steel razor. The seller says it is ready to go, but I was planning on testing the blade before using and I might send it out to be honed, just to be sure. If you have any thoughts, I'd appreciate it

I would test it by shaving an easy flat place on your face, like under your sideburn/cheeks.

A lot of variables impact tests, and they can take a while to get a handle on.

Jordan