Thread: Newbie from NY

Hey all,

OK I have always wanted to give this a try...

So this is where I am,

I placed an ordered at Dirty Bird Pottery for a lather bowl and and Brush Scuttle.

I also ordered a Best Badger English Shaving Brush with Drip Stand - Ivory Color with some Shaving Soap - Aloe Vera.

I figure I can first get the hang of making the cream to shave with before I find the razor.

Any help or suggestions on the Straight razor are needed. Where to find a decent beginners razor is needed.

All suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks ALL!

That's a good plan,

You've come to a great place to find a starter razor, the classifieds has all sorts of vintage razors. If you're looking for new, there are a few vendors who advertise on the site.

The general consensus on what makes a good 'starter' razor, is loosely a 5/8 or 6/8 razor with a round point. I suggest you pick one you like, and ask for advice. Provided it is not in the extremes, IE very big or very small, the chances are you will be able to learn with it and it should give a more acute idea of what your perfect razor would be.

Welcome to the Straight road !

Welcome!

Getting your soap and lather making equipment ready is a good idea, maybe even getting a strop first too. I imagine it'd make the first shave a bit less daunting if you've already got the lather making down.

Where in New York, if you don't mind my asking. We have a fair amount of little get togethers in the Rochester area.

I am from Westchester County NY, about an hour north of NYC. Rochester is a little bit of a drive...LOL

Thanks for the tips and advice so far,

Still need tips and advice of a Strop and a good razor.

Thanks all.

Ah, I grew up in Westchester, but I've been here since I came for college. Maybe keep an eye out for a meet up in Philly. There is a Get Together's section in the General area. (Having met other forum members and been to meets, I really encourage everyone to try to get to one).

Sound like you have a good plan. A 5/8 or 6/8 round point razor is indeed a good place to start, just make sure its shave ready. The classified will have a vintage shave ready or a new dovo that has been prehoned is always a good choice as well. If you have a tough beard you may want to try a half hollow versus a full hollow, and start slow. You don't have to do your whole shave with a straight.

Welcome to SRP

Crom

Welcome to SRP

Originally Posted by crushnbugs

Still need tips and advice of a Strop and a good razor.

if you want new equipment the last time I looked straightrazordesigns had the best deals. for the vintage option the best place i think is buying from one of the reputable sellers in the classifieds section.
I think it's best to pick a 5/8 to 6/8 hollow grind. The most important part is that it is well honed. Sometimes you can find sets including razor and a strop, but that's less common. From the inexpensive strops I've tried the ilinois 827 and i can recommend it.

Originally Posted by crushnbugs

I am from Westchester County NY, about an hour north of NYC. Rochester is a little bit of a drive...LOL

Thanks for the tips and advice so far,

Still need tips and advice of a Strop and a good razor.

Thanks all.

I'm here on Long Island (Nassau County) - not all that far from you!

I would suggest a strop from Tony Miller (wellshavedgentleman.com) or from Lynn & Don (SRD.com)....you can't go wrong...if you go with one from Tony, you can get a practice strop to go along with a nice one, so that in the beginning (when you are likely to nick your strop due to inexperience), you don't mess up a very nice strop.

good luck!