Thread: Angry Noob!

I have been looking for a decent razor FOREVER! I am tired of throwing away money on disposables I get 2 shaves from, and even my $200 Norelco electric can't give me a decent shave. I have bought several flea market blades, but can't get them sharp. Sooo....I thought I struck gold two days ago.

Flea markets suck. I've seen ONE useable blade, a Winchester, and it was over $100. I don't give a crud for age, I just want to use it, but I have to pay for "collectability." The other three I have bought I can't get sharp and/or they have chips in the blades.

I go to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, and wow! Straight razors, and they're new! Everything from $8.00 to $110.00, right there to buy. I pull out an 8, and right on the blade it says "Pakistan". I have never been here, but I'm not dumb. I try to take a hair off my arm and it might as well have been a dull pencil. Not even a scrape.

I try the 110 German, and it cuts hairs like magic. BUT, I don't have that much cash. The little twenty dollar KRIEGAR cut the hairs almost as well, so I take it home thinking I have finally found a razor I can shave with. (I somehow push CHINA etcehed on the blade out of my mind.)

*EXPLATIVE CURSE PROFANITY SCRAPE HONE SCRAPE *&^%! SWEARING*

I have an old, old Keen Cutter "barber hone". I also have a two sided diamond hone that probably isn't fit for use on a butter knife. I have now added this useless piece to my collection, as I never came here and read the forums.

I am tired of buying junk, but I can't afford anything right now. I'd rather have my twenty back to put towards that Dovo I dream about at night. Where do I go, what do I do, and how much will it cost? I have about a $20 budget. Should I just stick with my sideburn trimmer?

Get your self about 150$ and go to straightrazordesign.com. get a strop and a new Dovo. next will come a brush and a puck of soap or a tube of cream. Then, research our WIKI and FAQ. Use youtube too. PM me, or anyone on this site when you hit a speedbump. All the best
ps sorry bro, but 20$ wont get you much- just the facts

I was afraid of that...following the Dave Ramsey plan, so any little "extras" are few and far between. The razor LOOKED so nice, too. I've seen the cheap (REALLY CHEAP) ones. Oh well...

Is my Keen Kutter worth using? And is it possible to go stropless? And (don't shoot me here) is it possible to do a dry shave? I can dry shave with a Mach 3 (and a Bic if I have to.)

It is NOT possible to go stropless. Do not Dry shave either. I guess go Mach3 until you have put together some cash to spend on this. I Will tell you, straight shaving is NOT something you will master in a week, or month. YOU WILL BLEED SOME- we all have. But it is something worth learning. In the end you will thank yourself for your commitment to getting a better shave and ending Gillet's cheap grip over our hateful morning dread. Guys/ other members, help me help this noob. Hang in there kid, Calvery is on the way

you need to strop before every shave no way around it.
Rup Razor sells the cheapest strop, but really any good leather belt will do, just be careful or you will nick it for sure.
If you need more advise on which razor is worth honing, feel free to post pictures .
If you really want a real razor for little money go to the classifieds and see whats in there. Make sure you get a shave ready razor.

You said you have flea market blades? If they're ok shape (for example, you could post pictures here and ask advice), I think the cheapest way to get a razor would be to get sharpened either locally or sending them out (with all due respect, sharpening requires skill and equipment).

I think you have to strop if you want to keep the edge going. Good thing that you have a razor hone to refresh the edges when they start to pull. Wouldn't recommend shaving dry, its uncomfortable and probably destroys your edge more (I've heard that beard hair is about as hard as copper wire, so you want to soften them up a bit). Cream can be applied with fingers and I've seen a soap used with a small handtowel.

Welcome aboard!

Calm down mate, I know the world of straight razor ( SR ) shaving can be little daunting. There's myriad of information available

Razors to look into
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Razors to avoid
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

If you've $30-35 laying around Classifieds would be good for you. It beats going on ebay ( not to say it's unreliable ) but members from classifieds are reputable long standing members who've experienced in shaving. You can pick up a one or two straight razors for 60-70.

There's few sites where strop can be had for $20-$30. IIRC

Welcome Bud
+1 from me on all of the above, unfortunately Str8 shaving calls for a little outlay to start, check out the wiki and the classifieds
Shaving with a Straight is a gracious art, and takes a little time to master, stick with it, the rewards are more than worth it

I will post some pictures tonight of my two flea-market blades. One is a German brand and the other is a Duble Duck. I don't know if the blade with the curve at the end is chipped or if it is supposed to be like that. Also...I really like the Kriegar handle. Can I swap the old blades into the new handle? The other two are plastic and this one is a nice metal. Pics to be posted this evening...

You could also try one of those "Gold Dolar" straight razors people sell on ebay (at about US$ 9.00). Lots of SRP members love how sharp they get.