Thread: Last resort.

Originally Posted by JokiJo

Unfortunately here in Idaho (I guess like the rest of the country) I can't get a decent job, so my budget will probably be about $50-60 for a whole kit, and looking around, it just doesn't seem like enough. I've checked the thrift store and the only pawn shop around, and they have nadda. So any ideas on the economical route would be great too.

On a side note, I have plenty of time and patience to learn. I'm home schooled, so I have plenty of time in the morning

Don't get tempted to buy an el cheapo kit on ebay like offered by Zeepk, Kriegar, Master, Timber rattler etc. Get a shave ready razor from the classifieds and a beginner's strop from Tony Miller. He used to offer them at USD 7.50 if you buy an expensive strop, he may charge more if it is the only strop you buy: just ask.

well i was thinking glen is by sandpoint, but that's the other end of the state....

one of the advantages of straight razor is that you strop the blade so the edge is very consistent between shaves. anything else the blade deteriorates over few shaves. the other thing is that you have full control over the angle of the blade, which is pretty fixed with a disposable.

see if you can find soap and brush locally and your results should improve even with your current razor. one thing about the williams soap (haven't tried the other) is that it may be a bit too drying on the skin. there are plenty of good aftershaves if you need it - like nivea for example and they're not very expensive at all iirc less than $5. or many guys make their own - check in the aftershaves/colognes section.

oh and do check with your local barber.

FWIW, I had better luck with the VDH soap over the Williams. Williams irritated the hell out of my face and smelled terrible to me. But, some people swear by it...at 99 cents, I guess it's not much of a loss to try it out. The little VDH kit that Wal-Mart sells is a decent starting point too. The brush is a coarse badger hair, but all it takes is a boiling cup of water from the microwave to soften it up.

Since you're saving money anyway though, you might consider getting just the brush from Wal-Mart and grabbing some CO Bigelow shaving creme from Bath and Body. It'll cost about the same as the VDH kit, but the CO Bigelow stuff is high quality for sure.

Check out this option from one our SRP members...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...rs-strops.html

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Check out this option from one our SRP members...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...rs-strops.html

That looks like a great option also.

I'll see if Orange has anything to say about it. I might need to learn with a shavette first anyways.

May have to see if it's still available in a couple months.

Good to know Kenrup restocked again!

When you're shaving with a straight, do you generally learn to use both hands?

I was just wondering, cause I would feel a lot more comfortable just using my right hand.

Originally Posted by JokiJo

That looks like a great option also.

I'll see if Orange has anything to say about it. I might need to learn with a shavette first anyways.

May have to see if it's still available in a couple months.

You certainly don't need to learn with a Shavette first and you probably don't want to. They are not at all forgiving of budding technique. When I first started with a straight, it felt so awkward anyway I decided to try shaving with either hand and learned to do it from the start. Now having the option, I am glad I learned to use either hand

That set kenrup sells is a great deal, by the way!

Josh, let me start with issuing a warning: You'll likely start with a worse result using a straight. No, it doesn't fit the straight shaving praising on the forum, but you'll likely start with some nicks, cuts and razor burn.

Now that we've got that out of the way, if you PM me your address, I'll send you a brand spanking new block of alum (Italian) and a brand new still in plastic puck of our own Olivia's soap (the ambra one). The soap is great for sensitive skin, will last you a long time, but I found it less pleasant in building the lather. It nevertheless works and I wouldn't be surprised if just about everybody else gets a better result than me.

It will take some time, as it has to come from Europe, but about a week and you'll have a puck of soap and a block of alumm, that you can even use as an aftershave alternative.

Originally Posted by Hillie

Josh, let me start with issuing a warning: You'll likely start with a worse result using a straight. No, it doesn't fit the straight shaving praising on the forum, but you'll likely start with some nicks, cuts and razor burn.

Now that we've got that out of the way, if you PM me your address, I'll send you a brand spanking new block of alum (Italian) and a brand new still in plastic puck of our own Olivia's soap (the ambra one). The soap is great for sensitive skin, will last you a long time, but I found it less pleasant in building the lather. It nevertheless works and I wouldn't be surprised if just about everybody else gets a better result than me.

It will take some time, as it has to come from Europe, but about a week and you'll have a puck of soap and a block of alumm, that you can even use as an aftershave alternative.

I'm aware, but it can't be a ot worse then what's going on now.

First I shave, then I get razor bumps and acne, then I shave again and cut the tips off said shaving bumps and acne! I'm fully prepared to give this time and patience. Once I get it down, I won't have to worry about it for the rest of my life. Not to mention it will be a great skill to have on camping/hiking trips or hunting in the cellway.

Thanks for your generosity! What a great forum. I just posted an add on craigslist for a straight razor and kit. We'll see where that goes. I'm also going to go to the barber this Wednesday and see if she has anything.