Hello, I am new to this forum (first post). I've always wanted to use a straight-razer, because if nothing else it looks pretty cool, and it provides the closest possible shave.
But what supplies do I need, and what do they all do?
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Hello, I am new to this forum (first post). I've always wanted to use a straight-razer, because if nothing else it looks pretty cool, and it provides the closest possible shave.
But what supplies do I need, and what do they all do?
You will need a good quality razor that has been professionally honed. This is because new razors are not shave-ready. There are good starter kits available in the classified section.Quote:
Originally Posted by redcannon
You will also need a stop. This is used to refresh the blade before every shave because the edge gets bent by your beard and small amounts of rust form on the edge overnight.
If you decide to continue, you will eventually need a hone (stone) to resharpen the edge when it gets dull.
You will also eventually want a shaving brush and soap because beard prep is important.
Those are the basics.
Welcome aboard!
thank you for the reply. If I get a new razor, where can I get it professionally sharpened? Also, if I buy a razor on eBay should I get it professionally sharpened if its pre-owned?
Welcome to the SRP!:)
First and foremost, many of the new razors being sold on Ebay are of very poor quality. If you are seriously considering buying one then ask here first. We will help you.
Second, read the stickies at the top of each of the forums. They have a lot of useful advice. Also read the help files.
Your absolute best bet on a razor is to buy one from one of our guys that list razors for sale in the Classified ads section. Make sure the razor is honed and shave tested. There are some starter kits available I believe. Razor, strop, brush, soap.
Welcome! Just kick back and give yourself time to make decisions. Straight shaving to get good at takes a fair amount of time and a lot of prep.
Later,
Richard
Other than the options of razors and strops discussed on the Chat, you should read the relevant documents available in the Newbies Section. Preparation is key, and you might, for example, take a close look at chancecatalyst's offer: Soaps/Aftershaves/ Pastable paddle strop?? Something like that will help you immensely getting a pleasurable experience from straight shaving.Quote:
Originally Posted by redcannon
And after all, this is what this forum is about. That, and training our survival instincts when The Wife has unknowingly opened a package for us, and went through the roof. Whilst on this topic, has anyone found a way to placate our SOs other than straight jackets or a large mallet?
There are 3 absolute essentials -
1 A proper shave-ready razor
2 A strop
3 Shaving soap or cream
There are guys on this forum selling start up sets at prices that are unbelivably cheap. They are long standing and well respected fellows here and are definately offering good goods.
I seem to remember one chap offering his wares on the buy sell trade part of this forum.
Just make sure the razor you buy is really shave ready, it serves two purposes -
1 it will shave
2 you'll know what standard of sharp a razor SHOULD be.
Good Luck M
My first suggestion is get signed up on this thread... http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...have-pass.html
Then follow all the great advice above :D
Welcome to SRP!!!!!
welcome....!
ditto, ditto everything above. you have entered the world of the most annoyingly addictive, pleasureable pastime believeable.
1. don't give up
2. don't buy crap off e bay until you know what you are doing. forget CHEAP new razors, just not worth it. better to spend £15/$30 on a vintage and get it honed or learn yourself, it's not that difficult and very enjoyable, or buy one here.
3. read, digest and put into practice the advice offered here, it really is first class...! don't be afraid to ask questions, it's the only way to learn
keep posting and let us know how you do.
regards,
mark........
Welcome!
What the other guys said, if you want the smoothest transition, although if you want to do things the hard way, you can always buy off ebay and work at the hones until you get it. Which could take a long time.
Just wanted to point out that there are also members here and former members who sell on eBay, whose razors I can vouch for being shave ready. Check the ebay names thread; also a few who don't show are former members here.
If you do get an ebay razor, it's no problem to send it in, also, to one of the people who offer sharpening as a service. The founder of SRP, Lynn Abrams, hones razors for Classicshaving or you can contact him directly, and his prices are very reasonable, as are those of a few other people.
If you do this and have all the equipment listed above, I would recommend getting two vintage razors (steer clear of anything that doesn't look in good shape and *vintage*) stay away from anything marked "new" by "Master" "Kriegar" "Two Golden Men" etc. as typically the steel is questionable based on member experience here. Old razors that haven't been ground down and aren't rusted/chipped/cracked/etc made in Sheffield, Solingen, USA (old ones, such as W.R. Case, Torrey, etc) and the like are usually a safe bet if they appear in good condition.
Why two razors? Not because of the rumor one needs to "rest" a blade (although it makes a good excuse during the "addiction" phase of this hobby) but because once you send in one blade for professional honing, it is your task to read the forums for information on honing and stropping, (the old barber manuals in the files section are very helpful) and make your other razor shave exactly like or better than the professionally honed one. It isn't *that* difficult to do, it just takes awhile to get the "hang" of it.
Afterwards, you will be self sufficient.
Unless, of course, you want to send in your razor every time it gets dull. Which is also an option, of course.
Hope this helps at least some.
John P.
I have another question:
can I press the "Thank" button for everyone who replied or is that against the rules?
Honestly, thank you all for the replies.
Gssixgun, I'm crossing my fingers for that drawing!
I think that I will buy a starter kit from Kenrup. It is a Double Arrow and it comes with a Strop, for an unusually reasonable price, and shave ready! then, RAD can set in...
:DThat's HIM Kenrup - he's who I was thinking off.
Lots of good comments about his gear, I'd say good for anyone not just the very new :D
Well done that man.
I got my starter kit from the Topher, not sure if he still does that or not. Just looked up Kenrup's deal. I think the Topher set was around $150 when I got it, but that was for a honed razor, Tony Miller strop, shavemac brush and an assortment of sample soaps/aftershave from Mamabear and TGQ. It is/was an expensive way to start but I think it was good to know I had a "complete" setup.
Of course since then I've added 3 more razors, a few shaving bowls, a skuttle a hone. About a month into it I'd made my bank account around $300 lighter. The good news is unless you have very advanced RAD, this sort of tapers off after a while. I'm contentent with my 4 razors, shaving soaps/creams are more expensive than the 99c can of Gillette at wal-mart, but last long enough that it doesn't seem like a bad deal.. I bought 2 tubs of Mamabear soap 5 months ago, and can barely tell i've consumed any.
Right now I'm dealing with SCAD as there's such a mind boggling array of scents, aftershaves, soaps etc out there and I wanna try em all!! However when all is said and done.. I'm a roundabout convert from electric shaving (switched to "wet" shaving a few years ago), and back then I was paying ~$30/month for new blades for my norelco, and hated shaving. So that's $360/year just to maintain the electric razor, plus over time you have to replace the razor itself.. For similar $$ I have acquired a lifetime worth of blades (not that I won't ever buy more, but if I do, its because I *want* to not because I *need* to), top quality accessories, and an enjoyable new hobby. I think in the LONG run this will actually save me some $$ over plain ol cartridge razor shaving as well, but right now I want a new Tony Miller Artisan Strop, maybe a finer grade brush, and just about everything Castle Forbes and Truefitt and Hill makes.. I guess like any hobby... there's always something!
Actually you cant go far wrong with this one from eBay. Thats pretty much what I started with. But you will NEED to get it honed by a honemeister from the forum. :tu