Thread: Getting started on the cheap?

Hitman,

I'm new to using a straight myself and am currently using a shavette, and would agree that they are very unforgiving.

I would agree with what the others have said and wait and get a good quality straight either from the classifieds here or from SRD. If you can get a new straight from SRD as the free honing for the life of the razor is too good to pass up.

I have just purchased a Dovo Bergisher Lowe from SRD (a little treat to me for my birthday and christmas) and have a cheap 5/8 round point I got some time ago.

I'm going to use the 5/8 to get started and keep the BL until I'm a little bit more confident using a straight.

Looking at some of the posts from the guys in the US the Walmart set seems to be ok, but you can be sure that you will upgrade the brush and soap once you get used to them.

I'm currently using the Edwin Jagger sandlewood soap which I really like and have 2 best badger brushes.

I also have a cheap synthetic brush that I have just replaced. I must say that a good quality brush makes a big difference.

Also one thing to get also is a good Alum bloc. Great for getting rid of razor burn. Been using one for about 2 years on the advise of my barber. He always uses one after a hot towel shave.

Hope this helps.

Stuart.

Just an update one of the members here has just sent me a razor and strop for only the cost of shipping. as I said before I have not got alot of money so this Is so astonishing! I was figuring that I would have to gradualy put together a set one Christmas /birthday at a time but this changes everything. Thank you all again for your posts and I will keep you updated on how it goes.

Cheap is how I started. Ironically hi_bud_gl helped me too, I will explain in a minute.

The way I see it is you can do two things for bare minimum:

Shavette or cheap straight.

Either way get the van der Hagen set from Walmart. The brush is stiff and loses bristles, but after +/- 20 or 30 uses the bristles get split ends, stop shedding and start softenign up (this is good). $10 (I still use the bowl, and the brush from time to time when I need something a little stiffer than badger)

Then get a cheap strop you can cut up- risk on ebay, or reliable from Kenrup (the filly model) either way, $20. (go with Kenrups filly)

Then get your blade- a cheap shavette option is getting a thinning razor and blades for it- some use DE's others you have to find hiarshaper blades for- ebay abounds though. You can get the razor and blades for like $10-$15 total if you look around.
The alternative is a not well known ebay razor that is stained (not rusted) or otherwise cosmetically (but not functionally) impaired. Send it out for honing (someone might offer to hone it free) and you're out $20-$40 bucks total, depending.
Or you can buy shave ready from the classifieds (also $20-$40 depending).

I personally got an ugly blade of the bay and hi_bud_gl offered to hone it for me. So I got the VDH set ($10) a basic basic strop ($20) and a razor ($15) for a total of $45. I also have a dubl duck hair shaper and blades that I use for camping and what not which I got for $5 and blades run $.10 to $1 depending the quantity and shipping and stuff.