Quote Originally Posted by JFD View Post
Wait, so it's not cheaper to shave with a straight razor than to shave with those Mach 3s and Fusions that you always have to buy the refill packets for? Does it at least give you a closer shave?
This may be utterly simplistic, but so far this is the plan:

Buy the 74.99 Black Dovo from vintage blades llc that comes shave ready, and hone it every 2 months

Buy a Norton 4K/8K, nothing fancy just one stone

Buy the black 2" strop that they sell

And that's it. I have shaving cream and I have a brush. I figure with these 3 items I'll be good for the next 15 years or so. Thoughts? I dont think this'll actually realistically suffiec for the next decade and a half, but I was wondering what problems would occur that would necessitate more purchase. Feel free to utterly shoot this down, but the bottom line for me is not that it's a hobby, just that it's more efficient than running to the store every 2 months to pay $34.99 for refills. Truth be told, I'd probably enjoy stropping and shaving with a weapon every morning, but yeah in terms of cost-effectiveness I think I'm seeing it through different eyes than you guys, and I was wondering if I could get some guidance there. What am I missing here, guys? What'll happen in a few months, a few years if I buy these three things?
That is a good plan IMO. Some guys get into the ADs. IOW, acquisition disorders and get many razors, hones, brushes or whatever. If you're not prone to that then you can do fine with the items you're planning on getting.

BTW, I shave with a straight daily and if it wasn't the best shave I ever got in terms of closeness and comfort I would probably be shaving with the next best thing which for me personally is a slant DE with a Gillette Swede blade. So even though there is a learning curve before you reap the rewards stick with it and you will be glad that you did.