Thread: Howdy

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.
-Badger hair vs boar hair for the brush?
-Do I need a whetstone?
-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.
-What is the deal with pre-shave oil? Does anybody here use it? Does it help?

Thanks!

I would start with a starter set from Ken Rup (RupRazor.com). For $60, including shipping, you get a brand-new, shave-ready razor and strop, and Ken will re-hone your razor for free. Then, I would recommend a shaving mug/brush/soap set from Wal-Mart. This will get you started and will serve you well as an introduction to shaving with a straight. Then, after you've had a little experience, you'll be able to better judge where to put the rest of your money.

As far as pre-shave oils, I've tried them but was not impressed.

Welcome!

I really can't answer the question as to what would be best to start with, but I can answer the question about the pre-shave oil.

I have tried it both ways and the only difference I have found is that if I am in a hurry, the oil can help to speed the prep a little bit, as you don't have to wait as long for the hair to be wet (the oil absorbs into the hair pretty quick), but I don't know if it is really worth it. I continue to use the oil just because I like the smell. It does add a little more cushion to the first pass as well.

But, any way, that's my $0.02


Let us know what you get and how it goes.

Good advice so far and it's really a matter of preference. Personally, I like vintage blades as that's all I've used. There was a great thread about vintage vs. new razors here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-any-cost.html

Although since you're new I'd definitely stick to the SRP classifieds where you know you're getting a good razor and it's likely to be 'shave-ready'. Each razor on there has a field where you can see if the razor is ready to shave or not. Most of them are.

I have two badger brushes and haven't used boar. I did have a cheap synthetic which worked to start, but doesn't even compare to badger.

The whetstone topic is difficult to answer because we need to know what you plan on doing. You can always send a razor out to be sharpened for $10 - $20. If you have a non-heirloom vintage blade I'd be willing to do it for free once or twice if needed, but I'm still pretty new to honing. Lots of wiki articles about it but here's a good starting point, definitely read through the "Before you begin" section:
What hone(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I use both soaps and creams. Creams were easier to learn but I like the feel of soap better. Bath & Body Works sells C.O. Bigelow cream and The Body Shop has a maca root cream that you can pick up in town. Links go directly to the product page.

I also use preshave oil because my skin is pretty sensitive. I started with extra virgin olive oil but have since went to jojoba because, oddly, it's not as oily on the skin and is practically unscented.

I know you didn't ask about aftershave but since you're local I'll tell you that Mother Earth sells Thayer's brand witch hazel, regular and various scents. I picked up some when I started ($10 for 12oz. if I recall) and still use it.

Welcome to SRP. Check out the SRP Wiki that commiecat linked to. The beginner's guide is a good starting point. What ever razor you get if it doesn't come shave ready plan on sending it out to make it so for best results. Do the homework in the Wiki and the forum archives and it will pay off with an easier learning curve as you go.

For brushes, soap vesus cream and all of that it is individual preference so it is hard to recommend one thing over another. I like soaps better than creams and badger better than boar. but experimenting with the options is the only way to figure out what you like.

Size of the razor is also individual but for starting out I like a 5/8 and a whetstone is optional at the beginning but a strop is essential.

you could get a razor and strop off the classifieds here for pretty cheap! to get your started and then go to vintage blades or SRD and order you up some good creams aftershave and a brush and prob keep it under the 200 mark......
"Monopol", Friedr Baurmann & Sohne, Solingen, Germany. - Straight Razor Place Classifieds heres a nice razor for under 50$ didnt see any strops but you can always get the fillyrup i keep hearing great things about
heres a strop for under $50 Vintage Blades LLCÂ::ÂRazor StropsÂ::ÂVintage Blades Black Latigo 2" Hanging Razor Strop with "D" Rings

brush $25 Vintage Blades LLCÂ::ÂShaving BrushesÂ::ÂVulfixÂ::ÂVulfix No. 1000A Pure Badger - Faux Ebony

Howdy raw,

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!

Welcome aboard. Good luck and good shaving.

Originally Posted by rawsted

-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.
-Badger hair vs boar hair for the brush?
-Do I need a whetstone?
-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.
-What is the deal with pre-shave oil? Does anybody here use it? Does it help?

Thanks!

-I, personally, went with a Dovo Best Quality, as it was the cheapest I could get new... I have a weird OCD phobia about used razors. However, go for the classifieds, by Shave Ready, these guys are pros and they'll save you some scratch
-Boar hair is cheap, and functional, but Badger is luxurious, and, at the bottom of the line, only 20 bucks.. I started on boar and had no complaints, but then I got a 20$ Best badger hair brush (best is, ironically, the lowest quality badger [which is still high quality, if lowest of the badgers]) and the difference was amazing, for my sensitive face at least.
-You do not... After a few months, if your stropping technnique is good, you will want a barber hone, or a pasted strop, but do not concern yourself with these yet... You don't need stones.
- I lather with college campus water, and it's not that bad.. Just INVEST IN GOOD CREAMS OR SOAPS. I can't stress this enough.. A hand-me-down razor is fine for starting, but soaps and creams make a HUGE difference from cheap to high end. Go with Castle Forbes, or Taylor of Old Bond Street. Trust me, quality makes a huge difference. Spare no expense on these!
- I never used these oils... I do fine with a wet face, then a good, warm lather!

Good luck. You'll have fun!

Cheers,
Jeremy

Wow, a plethora of information! I really appreciate it guys, I've skimmed through it all and have a general idea about what I'm going to shoot for, but I'm at work at the moment so I'll have to revisit later and pound out the details.

I'll report back when I've pulled the trigger on something. I'll continue to keep an eye on this thread. Thanks again fellas!

You're welcome, anytime. I've always said there's just nothing like a plethora.