OK, so I've layed out all my capital and got all my gear. Sooner or later I'll actually SHAVE! (actually planning on starting next week when my schedule opens up a little.)

I thought it would be helpful for other newbies to see what my outlay was. My choices were not absolutely the most economical, but they were made with cost in mind. I also found some pretty good deals on things that have a wide range of prices (e.g. the hones). Here goes, I hope the formatting doesn't get too messed up...



Straight shaving startup costs

Razors: one professionally honed plus two for honing practice/variety
Dovo Classic “Special” 5/8 classicshaving.com $68.99
Honing by Lynn $20.00
Shipping for Dovo and strop (below) $6.65
J. Wostneholm EBRO 5/8 1/4 hollow + tax, local antique store $32.64
Chinese Double Arrow 6/8 hollow, ebay from Stamps222 $9.00
Shipping for Double Arrow $4.00

Total for razors: $141.28



Honing/stropping equipment (I'll post my reasoning separately):
DOVO Prima Rendleder strop from classicshaving.com $39.99
DMT Dia-Sharp 8EE diamond plate from Craftsmanstudio.com $62.95
shipping for DMT $11.49
Spyderco UF finishing stone from CheaperThanDirt.com $45.01
shipping for Spyderco $ 7.10
60-100x LED microscope w/stand, eBay from oncoso $8.50
shipping for scope $3.50

Total for honing/stropping gear: $178.54


Accessories:
Boar’s hair brush, drug store, inc. tax $7.60
Shaving mug, thrift store $0.54
Shaving soap and cream sample pack, TGQ, inc. delivery $17.99
Stiptic pencil, drug store, inc. tax $1.07
4 oz. jojoba oil for after shave, local co-op (est.) $12
Small bottle of aloe vera gel, drug store (est.) $2

Est. total for accessories: $41.20

Total startup cost: $361

A shave that gets nice and smooth without leaving my face a burning bloody pulp: Priceless!