Thread: Good Lord I am overwhelmed!

Having been a starving college student just a few years ago, I would recommend that you buy a vintage razor from the classifieds.

As far as which razor to buy....

• If it's less than $25, there's something wrong with it
• More money usually means nicer looking or more collectible. New name brand razors are great, but only the very best (and most expensive) of them will shave better than a $50 vintage razor that has been well honed
• 5/8 is a good size for beginners, but 4/8 and 6/8 are okay too
• Be sure the ad says the razor is shave ready
• If you've considered all of the above, and still found more than one razor that would work, buy the one that you most like the look of

Just realized I didn't answer your question about other stuff.

Go to wal*mart and look for the VDH set. The logo reads VHD.

It includes a bowl, a puck of cheap but servicable shaving soap, and a cheap but serviceable brush. You will want to upgrade all of them later, but that will get you started for $9.

The only other thing you need is a strop. If you have access to a saddle shop, just go in and ask for a 30" long piece of 2" latigo leather. Punch a hole in one end and use a leather thong or some other heavy chord to tie it up. If the leather isn't as smooth as you'd like, just hand sand it a bit. Seriously. This is the cheapest way to get a strop, and will work great.

If there isn't a saddle shop available, I'd order a philly from... crud. I can't remember who sells the philly stop, but if you search the forums you'll find it quickly. That, or see if you can buy just a practice strop from Tony Miller.

Rup Razor selling the Filly strop

RupRazor - The Filly

I wouldn't feel too over whelmed, there is a lot of information but you can forget about most of it for now. Basically the advice above will see you ok.

Originally Posted by gregs656

Rup Razor selling the Filly strop

RupRazor - The Filly

I wouldn't feel too over whelmed, there is a lot of information but you can forget about most of it for now. Basically the advice above will see you ok.

See? What did I tell you. Everybody around here knows where to buy the filly, except apparently, me...

There are better strops, but as far as 'bang for your buck' the filly is the tops.