Thread: Gift for Groomsmen - suggestions?

Hi all,

I'm definitely a newbie to this and was interested in getting my groomsmen straight razors for their gifts at my wedding. I don't know a whole lot about this and was looking for suggestions. Already have seen the Wiki page on suggested brands and brands to avoid and was looking to get the guys maybe a starter kit with a basic, but good razor.

Seeing how much they cost, I'd almost rather get them a nice razor and maybe a starter book and they could get the rest of the accessories

I'd also like to get new stuff, and preferably all the same (or variations on the same model of razor or kit) Any suggestions for new razors, kits and good, reputable places to buy from?

Thanks!

Str8razor shaving isn't for everyone but I don't know anybody who doesn't enjoy wet shaving. Perhaps you could get them each a matching mug and nice badger brush set with a nice soap added. You can find what you need at Straight Razor Designs or Classic Shaving or Vintage Blades. These are just a few of the reputable dealers I have personally used. Take the items to a trophy shop and have them etched with their name and date. Good luck and congratulations.

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Ray

That would be a really nice gesture but I suspect it would go unappreciated. You need more than just a straight razor to shave with one.

First there is the additional equipment: strop, shaving soap, brush, finishing hone, pastes, an extra strop or two for the pastes, styptic pencil, alum block, replacement strop for first nicked up one, lapping tool for hone. Seems like an endless list.

But that is actually the least of it. One needs to want to do this and most people really are not interested. Learning the skills needed takes time and dedication one won't have without the desire.

Now, if all your buddies already shave with straights, then by all means pick out some nice ones for them!

If not, maybe some soap, a mug and a brush they can use with their current razor.

thats a pretty good point, it can be quite a task, for most it would be a short-lived novelty.

+1 on mug/soap/and brush. every one likes to smell good. maybe a book about razors and if there interested all theyll be missing is razor/strops

and its true, most ppl would, at best, keep these in there sock-drawer until they die.
perhaps spend the same on a nice watch for everyone?
or maybe memberships at a club/gym you could all enjoy.

whatever you choose congrats and have fun!

Yeah a personalized mug with a nice soap and brush would be an excellent gift.

I'll agree with the brush, mug and a good shaving soap for all. Chances are most of them wet shave already and this would really enhance their experience. Buying them a straight razor would be cool looking to them, but they would most likely not ever use one.

I agree! A straight razor is indeed a good gift but I also suspect that despite the "coolness" it might freak them out! Get them a brush, soap and mug set. That is a very cool idea. I gave my brother a straight razor, a strop and the wet shaving kit (without a DE... he got that one himself) and he never touched the razor because he's affraid of it... now the brush and the other stuff, he uses a lot. I confess that it brakes my heart knowing that he won't use the razor... mostly because the strop he has was handmade by myself. That is why I think that the straight razor idea is not a very good one. But hey! you can give them the wet shaving kit NOW and maybe give them the razor and strop when you get maried again!
Seriously, though... congratulations on the tying the knot thing!

This has come up many times and the consensus was that straight shaving is something well over 90% of people wouldn't appreciate. The razor would probably just go into a drawer and never see the light of day again. Unless you know they have an interest I think you would be better buying them a nice brush and soap set or maybe a nice Dovo DE.

Thanks for the responses guys! Is there a kit you'd recommend for the mug/brush/soap? If there isn't, which individual items would you recommend me piecing together to make a "kit"?

I'd like to keep everything around $70-80 per person since I'll be buying 5 sets.

im sure a more experienced member will chime in with specific recomendations, but for that price you should have no problem finding a really nice brush, a mug, and a soap or 2 each. (soaps can be expensive on there own)
instead of an actual "shaving mug" perhaps find a place that does personalized coffee mugs.
that way if they dont get the whole lathering thing, they get a nice coffee mug out the deal.

its a shame more people arnt in to the whole straight shaving thing, i think the razor idea would have been cool. bad timing i guess, if only it was 1897.