Hundred dollars to start out good?

[Kimball]

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

[Leighton]

Need a brush to go with that soap.

[VeeDubb65]

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.

[JMS]

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!

[gregs656]

My Razor was $33 (vintage), Strop was $16 (vintage), Soap was $2, Brush, aftershave balm and preshave oil were $20.

$71 - so VERY possible.

[Undream]

$50.00 - Shave ready razor from SRP classifieds

$20.00 - Ruprazor's Filly Strop - link

$14.00 - Tweezerman Badger Brush from Amazon - link

$15.95 - seven kinds of soap samples from Colleen - link

---------------

$99.95

[dward]

$150 would be easier.

+1, but $100 possible.

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".

[VeeDubb65]

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.

[Kimball]

Would a horse hair brush work?

[JMS]

Would a horse hair brush work?

Dont see why not.