Thread: Cost Question

The two major attractions to me for using a straight razor for shaving is the nastalgia of it, as well as the potential cost savings. I don't really like shaving right now as the blades after the 2nd use start irritating my skin.

Can anyone give me a cost of what a beginner straight razor set up would cost? Could you provide me with some quality brands or products for a new guy?

I tried looking else where in this forum but couldn't find the info.

Thanks for the help.

JT

depends how much money are you willing to spend. if you want to spend on 200 it will better check the SRD . if you are willing to spend less then check classified section in srp.
My advise will be try get shave ready razor. Rest is your choose . strop, soap etc.
lastly try our monthly winning in general section. register you may be the winner no one knows.
GL

the cost can vary in wide range depending on what is important to you, so there really isn't a single answer.
take a look at various threads in this section and you'll get some idea.
check the beginner-oriented articles in the wiki as well.

there are thousands of good brands, and the more popular ones would also cost you more money, just because they are more popular, even if a razor of a less known brand is just as good or better.

if you want a brand new razor take a look at straightrazordesigns. if you want vintage the classifieds are probably your best bet.

A shave ready razor can be had from the classifieds for less than $50. No-one on here will steer you wrong especially if you ask them any questions you have first.
I have a Filly strop from http://ruprazor.com which was $20 and seems to do the job just fine.
The first shaving cream I ever used was Proraso (Italian i think) which I got on ebay cheaply (massive tube, still got some from the DE days) for probably $15 (I use £) but my current fave is a tub of Truefitt and Hill lime cream which is a bit more expensive.
You can generate a suitable lather with any brush really, just that the amount of effort varies. My favourite brush at the moment is a small Vulfix pure badger travel brush which cost around $25 (use it more often than my luxurious massive AOS silvertip).
That should cover basics for $110 or less.
The only trouble is that you probably won't be able to stop yourself there and will have tons of stuff before you know it.

Where are you from (country)? Do you want to purchase a new razor or does a vintage razor appeal to you? Here are a few vendors not listed thus far:

Home - Our Online Shop
Straight Razor : Double Edge Razor : Shaving Products Supplies : Merkur Safety Razor : Badger Shaving Brush : Men's Grooming Products : VintageBladesllc.com
Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors
Straight Razors - Safety Razors - Wet Shaving & Grooming Supplies

To orient yourself a little, if you haven't, check out the Beginners Guide.

Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good luck with putting together your kit.

I have no preference in terms of new/used. As long as it shaves good I am up for it.

Thanks for the links. I will check them out...

I read an article in Wired magazine about saving money using straight razors. And, away I went on this adventure. Forget it! No one here, all hundreds or thousands of us, has saved a dime or will save a dime.

But, you will enjoy the heck out of every dime you don't save!

But, you can go high road or low road with your money. But, no matter what you do, buy shave ready from here! Don't even think of not heeding that advice from above.

I'm one of the low road guys, and am getting along pretty well with balsa wood 3 inch by 3 foot strips from Michael's hobby store for maintaining my already shave ready blades. I cut them in 1.5 foot sections, giving 4 sides to paste. (Chromium Oxide 0.5 micron, 0.3 micron, diamond spray 0.25 micron, Iron Oxide 0.1 micron.) The final step is an untreated linen and leather strop.

There are 1001 ways to go.

Probably the cheapest would be the Filly strop from Kenrup, and a razor form the classifieds. Van der Hagen sells a soap/brush/bowl combo for $10. Little more expensive you can get a tweezerman badger brush for $15.

The cost saving is described in the FAQ (top menu bar, and highly recommended for any beginner). Then there is this article: Buying a beginner's set on a budget - Straight Razor Place Wiki with respect to your budget question.

Good luck, and do keep us posted on your progress.

Regards,
Robin

P.S. Do read the beginner's guide, too (see my signature).

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

I read an article in Wired magazine about saving money using straight razors. And, away I went on this adventure. Forget it! No one here, all hundreds or thousands of us, has saved a dime or will save a dime.

I disagree... paying $20+ for a pack of cartridges was the reason I went to straight razors. If you stick with a basic razor, a strop, a barber's hone, and use col conk soap or equivalent, you would save a ton of money...

...but then again, I got a case of RAD, fell in love with the yellow coticule, Tony Miller strops... but if I were strong I could have saved a lot of money...



-Chief