Originally Posted by
rawsted
Alright so I'm dead set on ditching modern shaving options and going with the tried and true. I'm completely ignorant to this entire world aside from what I've already read and learned by lurking these forums, Wikipedia and some other resources. I have some suggestions already (kudos to commiecat for helping me out via e-mail), but the more the merrier. My budget is $250 (but I'd like to stay closer to $200) for the razor, a strop and brush. Some things I'm wondering:
-What size/type razor should I shoot for? I think something vintage would be cool but if I'd be better off starting with something new, I will.
<I started with a 5/8, graduated to 6/8, and now am shaving with mostly 7/8. Why, I don't know. I just seems that the wider blade works better for me. My opinion is that a 6/8 is a fine place to start and maybe a fine place to remain. The SRD starting kit with the DOVO 6/8 Special seems to be a a good deal, particularly with Lynn and Don's offer for free rehoning services. I have one of those razors in my rotation and am a great fan of how good it feels in my hand and on my face>
-Badger hair vs boar hair for the brush?
<I've tried the boar and find it too stiff, but others say it requires use to soften it. That's fine, but a nice badger brush is a wonderful thing and something I recommend>
-Do I need a whetstone?
<Nope, not to start if you get a shave ready razor. If you get to where you need to touch up your razor, you may need one. And you may be well advised to practice on a razor other than you daily favorite before subjecting it to your honing ministrations. Honing really isn't that difficult, it's just quite different than sharpening your pocket knife or kitchen slicers and dicers. You do that don't you?>
-What to lather with? I was leaning toward soaps, but there's hard water here and I understand it can be difficult figuring out how to work that out in the beginning.
<Again an opinion: I think that creams are much easier to use. One can squeeze out the right amount of cream from a tube, determined by your experimenting, into a bowl and whisk and whirl the perfect lather. Once you get that down, you can always don the miterboard and gown and graduate to the caked soaps.>
-What is the deal with pre-shave oil? Does anybody here use it? Does it help?
<Pre shave oil - never used it and hence, strangely, I have no opinion about it.>
Thanks!