Thread: What else do I need?

I bought two shave-ready razors from Hi_Bud_Gl that are on their way.
I bought one of the Chinese (Delong?) silvertip shave brushes from virtualvillage-usa on ebay.
I bought one of Tony's starter strops.
I bought a sampler pack of soaps and creams from TGQ.

I guess I'll need something eventually to touch up the blades and keep them going. Any suggestions for a complete newb? Chinese 12K? Pasted strop (Tony's currently out of stock)? Barber hone (3 line Swaty maybe)?

I'm getting pretty excited. I've had exactly one razor, a Trac II, my whole life. (I'm 29.) I broke the handle banging it on the sink trying to clear a clogged cartridge once. Glued it back together and kept using it. So I'm kinda amped about trying something new.

the only other thing you need for a while is patience.
no need to get honing stuff quite yet, at least not for another few months.
any of these options would be fine though.

i'd say if your budget allows you get a coticule - if you glued your track handle you'll probably want to have just one hone and never get another. the coticule is the most versatile one.
but no rush, i'd say wait few weeks till you are sure that's the way you want to shave for the rest of your life.

A lot of patience. Keep that old Trac II around until you master the straight, you will need it for touch up from the straight to make yourself look presentable. I have never drawn blood using a striaght ever and it is entirely possible if you use no downward pressure that you will not draw blood ever as well.

Education and practice. As a new str8 shaver myself I think that it is really helpful to watch all the shaving videos, read all the literature re technique,and keep reading these posts. Lots of helpful info.
Good luck and I also second the idea of keeping the old razor around. After week of str8s I just entered the chin area today and my DEs come in really handy to finish up the job. If you travel and don't want to take the str8 the old razor or a DE might be nice.

Alright, my razors came in yesterday, and they look great!

My brush is coming from China, might be another week or another 2 weeks, who knows. Probably a few more days waiting on the soaps from Colleen to arrive too. But, I'd like to start slowly getting the feel for it.

Would it be a mistake to try to use a straight only WTG and only on my cheeks tomorrow with Edge gel? I'd stick with the Trac II for my sensitive neck and the tougher spots until I'm more comfortable and have the soaps and brush available.

I dont know which razors you got from Hi bud gl , but I know that if they are from him they will be excellent! Go to the drug store and get a styptic pencil, everything else can wait. If you decide to stick with this you will eventually need a barbers hone, 115 other razors, ten tons of various rocks from around the world , enough strops to put a cow back together and enough soap to wash everyone in New York and.........

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I dont know which razors you got from Hi bud gl , but I know that if they are from him they will be excellent! Go to the drug store and get a styptic pencil, everything else can wait. If you decide to stick with this you will eventually need a barbers hone, 115 other razors, ten tons of various rocks from around the world , enough strops to put a cow back together and enough soap to wash everyone in New York and.........

Couldn't agree with you more!!!

I've been using a straight for about half a year now, and am amzing at how much I want more stuff!!! 10 tons of various rocks indeed, I'm definitely going to fall victim to HAD.... Besides my norton I have a couple of coticules and a nice small y/g escher on it's way! I've got the sickness!

Dave

Hello...
Realy nice setup... Although, I have the same brush and it is not near silvertip...
But it works very well with soaps...
Good luck with shaving...

Thanks, everyone. I guess from the lack of objection, starting with the Edge gel on just my cheeks would be ok until my brush and soaps arrive?

Using the gel is ok for now. You will see a HUGE!!! difference once you break into Colleen's soaps and a brush and will be tossing the canned goo for good.