Thread: Hundred dollars to start out good?

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

$150 would be easier.

+1, but $100 possible.

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

Straight razor from a junk shop with no nicks in the blade - $5

I strongly recommend against this if you are new to straight razors. Honing a straight razor properly is a skill set that you would have to learn on top of learning to shave with a straight. You would be trying to figure out what the problem was, shaving technique or a bad blade edge.

To start you need 1) a shave ready razor; 2) strop; 3) shave soap/cream; and, 4), a brush.

Check the classifieds for shave ready razor. Something like a 5/8 or 6/8 round point that is shave ready (will state so in the add). I have purchased a few of these. They are really nice razors for a fantastic price. Kenrup, a member here, sell great starter sets. Also check some of the other vendors. SRD comes to mind. No matter where you get the razor ensure it is shave ready.

Check the classifieds again for a strop. Check our vendors. Many sell starter strops for great prices. Also, people have been known to use newspaper, denim, or other materials as strops.

Shave soaps or creams (personal choice) can be had in a lot of places. Many people here use Williams which is quite inexpensive. Check the classifieds, sometmies you can get great bargains there. As for a bowl, a large coffee mug works great. Also, go to a dollar store and look there. A bowl can be had there. You don't need to spend $50 or more when a cheap bowl or mug performs just as well.

Brushes can be had pretty cheaply to. Google on "shaving brush".

Originally Posted by dward

I strongly recommend against this if you are new to straight razors.

In my defense, I never said that buying $40 worth junk shop swag was a good plan. I just wanted to illustrate how cheap it can be done.

welcome to srp

Originally Posted by Kimball

Will that allow me to get a quality razor like a Dovo, strop, hone and soap?

quality razor like Dovo yes, could even be better quality, but it won't be new.
100 should work for all except the hone.
brad gave you some excellent options.
you can probably save 5-10 if you happen to find a nice deal on a really cheap razor in great condition locally and then send it for honing, but since you don't know what to look for the risk is substantial.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/newbi...endations.html

check out this recent thread too for ideas

I spent 15 euros on my first real straight.
15 euros or so on honing.
5 euros on a boar brush
and I thing about 44 euros on a loomstrop..

so that totals to about 80 euros which is about $100 at the moment.

then things got out of hand and I bought
a razor from the classifieds
a hone
another hone
and 2 more hones
another hanging strop
4 other razors(dorko, Puma, Henckels, Julius Dirlam)
1 DE futur
1 restoration projectrazor
1 goldennib boarbrush knot and I build my own brush (love that brush)

Now all the packages that arrive are checked by SWMBO for razors or shaving related stuff.. but I dont think I need anything soon.

Maarten

A shave ready Wapi will cost you $45? A TM beginner strop is $25 I think. Good boar brush will be $15 maybe. That's $15 to spare on ... well, shipping right? Either that or a bar of TGQ shaving soap because you're so frugal and you're still in under $100.

Now let's talk about edge maintenance. Wipe dry and strop your razor after shaving and cover the edge in petroleum jelly or mineral oil and you could go months before having to strop on newsprint to bring the edge back ...

X

+1 on x-mans choice of materials.. that sounds great as a starters kit.

I was pretty lucky with the ERN I got and Barts knowledge to bring it back to life..

Almost forgot... I also bought some diamond paste and made a <5$ pasted strop with some wood and athletics tape..

@xman.. petrolium gelly, is that the same as vaseline?

Maarten

Originally Posted by mlangstr

petrolium gelly, is that the same as vaseline?

Yes!

I think Vaseline is just a brand name?

If you want new equipment the cheapest Dovo is about $80 if its pre-honed. The cheapest quality strop I have seen is $25 on ebay (Jemico Solingen). As for the brush, soap etc.., the cheapest I have seen would be around $35 shipped. So its all around not very cheap. I would say buy a vintage shave ready razor, and a good strop for starters, then move up on the more expensive brushes and mugs etc. But a starter definitely needs a pre-honed razor, a quality strop, and good soap.
Good Luck