Thread: New to SRP

Hello all,

I've taken the plunge into the world of straight razor shaving with a dovo shavette. I've been doing a ton of reading and bought Lynn Abrams DVD through Classic shaving. I've been watching the classifieds for a good reliable razor that will give me a comfortable shave- there are so many options. I posted an ad looking for a good "shave ready" razor for a beginner or a kit but had no responses

I've found a great deal of useful nformation on SRP and I'm grateful for the time everyone has taken to provide their insight and experience. I know a great many of you are collectors but I'd love to hear what your "go to" razors, brushes, strops and soaps are. It might help me in my descsion making over the next couple weeks.

Thanks for a great site and quality threads and I look forward to continuing to learn from all you folks!

A

My go to razor is a 7/8 half hollow Wade & Butcher spike point. It was my third razor and has a slightly shorter blade than most, under 3" and a nice smile to it so it get's in all my corners well. The steel is very easy to maintain as well.

I love Colleen's soaps from The Gentlemen's Quarter. they're all natural and Colleen has a very keen nose capable of blending truly intoxicating scents.

I have a custom made 22mm super silver tip badger brush with a maple burl handle, but I usually reach for my Edwin Jagger best badger for soaps and leave the silver tip for creams.

My strop is an Illinois 361 which has been abused for over three years with nicks all up and down. I really need a new one.

X

First of all, a warm welcome to SRP. I hope you will enjoy your stay in what is arguably the most professional shaving group on the web.

Originally Posted by autarkic

I've taken the plunge into the world of straight razor shaving with a dovo shavette. I've been doing a ton of reading and bought Lynn Abrams DVD through Classic shaving.

You may also want to read the materials provided in the Wiki, possibly starting with the links in my signature.

Originally Posted by autarkic

I've been watching the classifieds for a good reliable razor that will give me a comfortable shave- there are so many options. I posted an ad looking for a good "shave ready" razor for a beginner or a kit but had no responses

Maybe that is because there are too many good razors there at the moment. Personally, I would take a close look at the ones Sharp & Shiny is selling: Sharp&Shiny's Ads - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

And you can never go wrong with a razor from Don and Lynn (unless you bought one for 0.01 USD, but that is another story entirely (you hear me, Don? )): Don's Ads - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Originally Posted by autarkic

I've found a great deal of useful nformation on SRP and I'm grateful for the time everyone has taken to provide their insight and experience. I know a great many of you are collectors but I'd love to hear what your "go to" razors, brushes, strops and soaps are. It might help me in my descsion making over the next couple weeks.

If I were you, I would look for a half or quarter hollow in the 5-6/8th width category. Full hollows can be a bit awkward with stiffer whiskers, and wider or narrower blades are more difficult to manoeuvre.

Brushes, and soaps have a luxury factor. No, you do not need a silvertip badger brush with ebony handle and the full range of Castle Forbes products. But having them is, well, nice. Despite my personal issues with the wording of their reviews, you may want to stop by the soap and cream reviews over at Badger & Blade. As they specialise in leg shaving and other girlie occupations, they have a lot of good reviews in that particular section. As for the strop, common consensus seems to be that you cannot go wrong with a Tony Miller strop (if they are as good as mine, and I have no reason whatsoever to doubt that, they are an utterly phantastic deal).

My current favourite setup is a 1/4 hollow 6/8ths Le Grelot from Sharp & Shiny, a Thäter brush, and Castle Forbes lime cream. And some other stuff my wife will, I hope, never know about. Now then, I need my credit card bill, a scanner, and The Gimp.

Welcome to SRP!

My favorite go to razors are a 5/8 F.W. Engels and a 5/8 Boker...they are both amazing shavers and I paid under $20.00 for each.

Other go to items: an Illinois strop #835, a Vulfix super badger brush, and Colleen's soaps.

When looking through the classifieds look for something like a 5/8 or 6/8 round point. Several can be had for less than $75, and are shave ready (will say so in the ad). Unfortunately, there are no training wheels for straight razors. A straight razor is exactly that, a straight razor. However, the round point is more forgiving than the other point types for someone starting. Another place would be to contact Kenrup (a member here). He sells beginner sets.

Greetings A!

Welcome to SRP and a whole new world. I've been staight shaving for a few months and only have one useable blade at the moment, the other needs honing. It is a 4/8 Bauer, very light. I also have a hand made Silver Tip Badger brush which is a pure delight to use compared to Boar or standard Badger. Soaps I have 2 of Mama Bear's (who is also a member here like Colleen) and a black Latigo strop. I have also used a Dovo strop which I actually like better.

Have fun and see you around the boards.

Another fan of Colleen's soap! both shaving and bath varieties!

for strops Tony Miller makes some truly awesome ones ( i have 3 of them )

as for the go to razor i have 2 of them... a 6/8 Boker "extra hollow ground" and a 5/8 Ern "damascus" both with spike points. not only are they my favorite razors but if i am testing a newly honed razor... i strop one of these up as well so i can have a side by side shaving comparison

I'd like to thank everyone for their input through PM's and the board. It's great to hear what you guys are using as your go to items in your kit. As per some recommendations I've been in touch with Don about what he may have for sale and the search continues.

Thanks for the welcome and see ya on the boards!

Hi autarkic, welcome!

I just ordered a shave ready razor from Don.. just looked for a nicelooking razor with a roundpoint and asked him if he thought it was good for a beginner..

I've just ordered a dovo peddle strop, I use the Shavette to learn how a straight feels .. though I cant wait till I've got a "real" straight.. I've also got an ERN from the local eBay.. it was a bargain but needs to be cleaned and honed..I use a bore brush and use a soap bar (but I think thats a bit messy so I think I'll get something else).

Maarten

Welcome to SRP, A!

My go to gear, eh? Well, my favourite razor, at the moment is either my 6/8 Dovo Best Quality tortoise shell, or my vintage Genco Fluid Steel razor.

Strop, hands down, the Tony Miller 3" Latigo/real linen strop.

Soap - anything from Colleen (TGQ)

Brush - well, I'm still on my first brush, a Crabtree and Evelyn best badger.

Good luck, have fun, and keep us posted on how you're doing!

Mark