Starting out - some stupid questions

This is my first post and after several days of reading..... I have decided to try using a straight razor.

First of all, I have a problem with ingrown hairs, especially after a close shave. Will going straight improve this condition at all?

Second, I am starting completely from zero... I have some foam in a can I could smear on my face and even some of the gell kind that is best at clogging my multiblade razor. Other than that, I will need to buy everything.

I read in the wiki that Zeepk is to be avoided and have seen that reinforced in a couple other posts but I found a deal on ebay that seems too good to pass up.
Zeepk Straight Razor Strop Soap Stone Mug Bursh 38 set - eBay (item 280303609300 end time Jan-20-09 17:05:53 PST)
Item # 280303609300 - The auction may be over before anyone reads this but there will probably be another.

I understand the razor is junk, but look at everything that is included for the price. Would this be a smart buy to start out? Looks like this would include everything I need to start out for under $50. Seems like a good deal but what do I know?

As for the razor, is it bad because it won't hold an edge for a long time, maybe needing honed every week rather than every year or is there a bigger issue? Would it be good to practice honing on a cheap razor before getting a good one and ruining it? If it needs honed more often, more practice right? Or am I just crazy.

Please don't take this as me ignoring all the advice I have already gotten here. My question is mainly is will the cost represent a good value for everything but the razors and should I worry about things like wanting to practice on a cheap razor.

I am already guessing that the included stone is not going to be that great and I will probably have to spend another $100 on hones.

I do plan on buying a shave ready razor from the classifieds as soon as I am fast enough to catch a good deal.

Scott

Scott, welcome. I think that you answered your own question: " I read in the wiki that Zeepk is to be avoided and have seen that reinforced in a couple other posts". This is exactly what it means, the best honemeisters (people that sharpen razors) have tried to put an edge on these razors and failed. It the deal seems to good to be true, it probably is... ;-). I suggest you to go the classifieds and buy yourself a shave ready razor. Or if you want new, buy one from one of the vendors that sponsor this forum. For your own good, I would also strongly advice you against buying razors on Ebay. This is it, plain and simple.

Al raz.

There is a difference between starting out on a cheap razor and on an inexpensive razor. Unfortunately all that will happen if you buy the zeepk is (1) your intro to straights will be a horrible experience that could turn you off and (2) you are going to be out $50 that could have been put toward a quality razor.

With a bit of looking you can get a nice set up for under $100.

Check the classifieds - there are plenty of great straights with low price tags.
Find a nice starter strop - you do not need an expensive strop to align the edge.
There are plenty of low cost, good quality brushes available.

:gl:

Cheers,

Rick

Hello and welcome!!

You cannot be warned enough times, avoid Zeepk!!! The above members have it too right, you're far better off getting something worthwhile. It's pains me to think of how many people have tried to straight razor shave but have been turned off by a very bad initial experience cause by a sub-par razor.

There are SO many razors to chose from in the classifieds here. Although I haven't gotten one from here yet, I've seen more than a handful that I would love to get my greedy hands on! So you can't be wrong with browsing there, definitely worth a look.

I've gotten a lot of stuff from classicshaving.com. They have some hones and strops, as well as a lot of new razors for you to look at too (many of which come pre-honed). A great start up start is the norton 4000/8000 combo hone, and you'll see a LOT of reference to it on this site. If you're looking into a high end but high quality strop, I suggest a Tony Miller strop (from the thewellshavedgentleman.com).

Take your time and consider what you're going to get, think of it as an investment! You're going to enjoy how much fun you can have will all of this :D

Dave

It doesnt matter what kind of deal they offer, even if they paid you to take it what can be done with it? Its junk. Find a nice razor in the classifieds or from the SRP sponsors. You will come out ahead. Straights are the perfect answer for ingrown hairs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

It doesnt matter what kind of deal they offer, even if they paid you to take it what can be done with it? Its junk. Find a nice razor in the classifieds or from the SRP sponsors. You will come out ahead. Straights are the perfect answer for ingrown hairs.

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could not of said it better myself, contact kenrup to see if he has any starter kits avaliable, if not look on ebay for a double arrow, they are cheap but can be honed to give a great shave :gl: and welcome to srp

Auction is for:
2 Zeepk old fashioned straight razor : Already discussed. Avoid.
Zeepk Professional Razor Strop : Might be usable?
BASS finest Quality Shaving Brush : Looks synthetic, and not a good one. You need a badger brush.
Marvy opal Mug : may be useful if only for drinking tea.
SOAP : No brand given, must assume it's poor.
RAZOR HONE : Grit and size not specified, may be OK for sharpening penknives.

I think the more of these products you used, the less happy you'd be. Might put you off straight razors for life. Not a bargain in any way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rajagra

Auction is for:
2 Zeepk old fashioned straight razor : Already discussed. Avoid.
Zeepk Professional Razor Strop : Might be usable?
BASS finest Quality Shaving Brush : Looks synthetic, and not a good one. You need a badger brush.
Marvy opal Mug : may be useful if only for drinking tea.
SOAP : No brand given, must assume it's poor.
RAZOR HONE : Grit and size not specified, may be OK for sharpening penknives.

I think the more of these products you used, the less happy you'd be. Might put you off straight razors for life. Not a bargain in any way.

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Welcome, Scott,

I agree with Ray. Zeepk str8s are junk and the only thing I've read about Zeepk strops is that they are junk, too. The hone is probably too coarse for str8s and you don't need a hone yet. That leaves a mug, puck of soap, and a cheap brush. You can pick up Williams or Van der Haagen soap, a coffee mug, and a boar bristle brush at WalMart for $10 - $15 and know it will work, instead of the questionable gear for $50.

Personally, I'd get a small, inexpensive badger brush (I've heard that Crabtree & Evelyn has a nice badger brush for about $35 or less), but a boar bristle will work. Just don't buy a synthetic brush.

Enjoy!

Forget about that Zeepk package deal. None of the components are any good. I number of guys here have already tried them.

Using a straight razor will reduce or eliminate the ingrown hair problem.

Check with Kenrup for a starter setup, damon for an inexpensive starter strop for $30.

There maybe others here offering package deals, I have not kept up with that.

The first razor you get should be honed by someone from here, not you. Honing is the most difficult of the wet shaving skills. Buy a couple of Ebay vintage razors to practice honing on when you decide to learn that.


Hope this helps,:)

Since you already know NOT to buy that crap by now....

Straight shaving eliminated my ingowns and it should do the same for you.

X

Avoid the canned gels and foams with straights, they work with cartridges and maybe DE's, but with straights they make the side of the blade stick to your face very well, so when you then try to alter the angle of the blade you'll have to use so much force that you risk nicking yourself when it lets go.

You will find that the ingrown hairs will be eliminated after you get a few good shaves down. They did for me. Everything chewed me up, now I'm good to go. Go to ChinaMart (WalMart) and get a Van Der Hagen brush and cake of soap, Then go cruising the classifieds here or even go out and look at antique shops local to you. They will probably have a nice razor that you could haggle them down on. Send it off to one of the fine gents here and they will get it shave ready for you. Avoid the cheap kits. That's already been said by folks here and by you too.:nono:

Thanks to all for the advice. I avoided the cheap kit. My biggest fear was that I would buy something expensive then not like it or not be able to use it (or both).
I guess if I buy quality I can always resell and if I buy junk will just need need to spend even more in the future.

I am going to take my time and shop for some quality items that I can afford and I will report back to let you all know how the first shave goes.

Thanks,
Scott