Starting Off From Scratch Dirt Cheap
A lot of this information can be found in our excellent wiki, as well as in several old threads in bits and pieces, but I thought I'd put this together for folks wanting to start out from scratch on a budget.
I have been through a lot of soaps, creams, aftershave etc in over 20 years of wetshaving, and this is what I (insert disclaimer here) think is the absolute cheapest way to start, without sacrificing quality. I am sure there are other options out there, but this is what I'd recommend to someone who'd ask me for advice:
SOAP: Looking at the ration of price to quality, I'd say Ogallala. Even at double the price of $4.50/puck, it lathers with the best, is slick, cushioning and protective. Easy to lather. If you are new to wetshaving though, you probably would want to try shaving cream first, since it is easier to use for beginners.
CREAM: A huge tub of JM Frasier cream - excellent slick lather, and very cheap, especially if you are in Canada. Kiss My Face's pump dispenser is also cheap and good, but I think a notch below.
AFTERSHAVE LOTION: I have used a lot, but find nothing as healing and hydrating as mixing my own. Here is what I do (with stuff from Walmart): 2 parts Corn Husker lotion + 1 part Aloe Vera gel (in the aisle with sunscreen usually) + 1 part Thayer's witch hazel (make sure it is Thayer's, the other stuff smells bad). I would adjust the amount of witch hazel to the viscosity you prefer (so add it incrementally as the last element). You'll end up with very good stuff with no scent. I personally add 10-20 drops (according to your preference) of eucalyptus oil from the pharmacy section. I have also tried adding different EDT samples, usually given free by upmarket perfumeries like Floris (email them for free samples). You can also get small vials of essential oils, but those are expensive. Some folks like adding a few drops of glycerin (from the pharmacy) but I have not felt a need to do so.
AFTERSHAVE SPLASH: I like alcohol based splashes. Since I am adding a lotion after the splash, I really don't care about whether it has anything else good for my skin. I'd start with cheap drugstore stuff. Choice is up to you - Aqua Velva, Old Spice, Pinaud... it's all good.
BRUSH: If you want badger, I'd opt for the Semogue 730 Silvertip from Portugal, from either Leon at Vintage Scent or Rasage Poulin. The only reason to upgrade later on is because you want to. This would be a fine one and only brush for both soap and cream.
My only experience with boar is Omega Professional. Very good, about $14 or less. Check out the barber supply stores like Appleton for the best prices.
LATHERING MUG/BOWL: Old mug or cereal bowl. Be creative.
STROP: Tony Miller's starter strop. It is made of the same latigo as his top of the line 2 and 1/2 inch latigo, but without the bells and whistles. I started out with this at a little over $20 (now a little more but with some improvements) and to date is still my go to strop, and my only latigo. Never needed another.
Whether you need linen/cotton is the subject of debate in many threads. But the thing is, you will more quickly ruin your edge with poor technique on linen or cotton so think about getting that AFTER your stropping technique is sound. Stropping on only leather is just fine.
Kenrup's Fillie strop has had good reviews, and it is only $19 shipped from Ken, but I have no personal experience with it. I do have with Ken, and he is a great guy. :)
HONES: Don't need them yet. Get a CrO baggie from ChrisL, and that is more than enough. You can get a larger supply from a number of vendors, but that is more stuff than you will need. Make your own pasted strop - see the wiki for details. Heck you can even just take the glass off a 5 x 7 picture frame, smear CrO on half (lengthwise) and use that.
RAZOR: Used to be "get a wapi" but they are now scarce. Double Arrows are cheap but extremely good shavers when properly honed. I got an early one on ebay and the blade has no defect (the scales are trash and needs replacing), but many now complain of QA problems with uneven grinds etc. If you go this route, be sure to get your wapi or DA shave ready from a reputable reseller (a few members here offer them).
A vintage razor from the SRP classifieds is still a good, fun way to start. Many guys will also give you lots of advice with the razor you buy. Lots of good razors at $50 or less. Be sure to get them from a reputable seller and that it is shaveready. If you want to be absolutely sure, get a good razor and send it to one of our honemeisters.
As with all vintage razors, make sure the blade is straight with an even blade width (unless it was designed otherwise), with even honewear, and with little honewear. A lot of times, what sellers call "a nice smile" is just a lot of honewear at the toe. There have also been some razors popping up with picnic table sized honewear recently so, sadly, you need to be more vigilant. If you have any doubt, check and see if someone familiar is online and ask them for their opinion before you click the "buy it now button."
Another good option is to send a pm asking if someone has a starter razor he'd be willing to sell. I would say that most if not all of the members here would go out of their way to help you out. If not with a razor, then with lots of advice. You'd be surprised. Good way to get to know folks too.
There you go. This is how I'd start from scratch for way less than $100. Have fun!
