Will that allow me to get a quality razor like a Dovo, strop, hone and soap?
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Will that allow me to get a quality razor like a Dovo, strop, hone and soap?
Need a brush to go with that soap. :)
Would a horse hair brush work?
Dont see why not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimball
I've never tried.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimball
You can definitely get a strop and razor for under $100 if your willing to buy used. Classifieds are a good place to look. I'm not sure, if straightrazordesigns has a kit under $100, but they do sell Dovo strop & razor kits. Check it out.
Got the brush then.
I would say, having just been there myself, that $100 is "possible".
$150 would be easier.
That being said, you 'could' get everything you need for about $35-40 if you have access to some good junk shops and you don't mind putting a lot of work into making it all serviceable.
Straight razor from a junk shop with no nicks in the blade - $5
Barber hone from the same junk shop - $10
A scrap of latigo leather from a saddle shop that is too short to wrap around a horse's belly - $5
Oversized novelty coffee mug from the dollar store to use as a shave mug - $1
Good brush from junk shop or garbage brush from drug store - $10
If the stone you find is a 4k/8k you're all set. If it's a true barber hone, you will have to spend a HUGE amount of time honing the razor unless you are fortunate enough to find one that just needs a touch-up.
The latigo will need to be broken in. I won't try to explain how because I've never actaully done it, but the inforation is probably in the wiki. You'll also need to find a way to hang it, but that shouldn't be too tough.
The only other thing you'll need is good shave soap, and if you can actually find all of that in junk shops and get it all to a "shave ready" condition, I'll send you some soap for free.
Assuming that you go with the original plan and buy the way most of us do, there's 2 things to remember:
1. A good razor will last for several lifetimes if properly cared for, so if you're going to go over budget, that's the best place to do it.
2. A cheap brush, mug or strop can be easily upgraded. Just don't get a strop that is so cheap it will harm your razor.
I got my first four razors for 40 dollars, my first brush was about 30. shave soap was about 3 dollars and my first strop was a gift for a grand total of73 dollars!
My Razor was $33 (vintage), Strop was $16 (vintage), Soap was $2, Brush, aftershave balm and preshave oil were $20.
$71 - so VERY possible.
+1, but $100 possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by VeeDubb65
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by VeeDubb65
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". :gl:
Quote:
Originally Posted by dward
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. :D
welcome to srp
quality razor like Dovo yes, could even be better quality, but it won't be new.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimball
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.. :thinking: 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 $100.
Now let's talk about edge maintenance. Wipe dry and strop your razor after shaving and cover the edge in petroleum jelly or mineral oil and you could go months before having to strop on newsprint to bring the edge back ... :D
X
+1 on x-mans choice of materials.. that sounds great as a starters kit.
I was pretty lucky with the ERN I got and Barts knowledge to bring it back to life..
Almost forgot... I also bought some diamond paste and made a <5$ pasted strop with some wood and athletics tape..
@xman.. petrolium gelly, is that the same as vaseline?
Maarten
Yes!Quote:
Originally Posted by mlangstr
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