Thread: Buying First Set of Gear, Help Please

Gentlemen,

I am a quasi-newbie, as I have been using a Shavette that was a Christmas gift from my best friend about three years ago. I used the razor intermittently, but after being finally fed up with the price of disposables I have been using it everyday for the last 6 months. I am looking to buy my first "real" straight and wanted some input from the members of this fine forum.

I initially thought about buying a razor and strop set and then piecing together the rest of my set individually, not buying the best but trying to get the middle of the road as I have been at this for a little while and then moving on from there. After researching and reading about brushes, creams, soaps, mugs/scuttles, and everything in between I became a bit overwhelmed. I am thinking that the best way to go is to order a wet set from SRD (I'm looking at the wet set of the month as I like the razor and feel its a good cost/benefit ratio for a beginner). I came to the realization that I don't really know what I like or dislike so get the set and work from there and as my skills improve and my tastes are more refined I can go from there.

Is this a good approach just buying a set? It seems like a nice savings that will also allow me to try different soaps and creams and whatnot as well which to me seems like half the fun! I apologize for the lengthy post but wanted to try and explain the last couple of weeks of research and my thinking as best as I could. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Respectfully,

CarpediemOU

you will not likely regret an SRD kit

We have put together some information in Shopping list for beginners - Straight Razor Place Wiki (which is part of the beginners guide - recommended reading in any event). Take a look at the reviews for the products you want to buy, and then make a decision. The only thing I would like to add on a personal note is that I would always invest the most money, relatively speaking, in the cream and aftershave you buy - and buy Castle Forbes's "The Pre Shave". This made a huge impact for me, and made learning a lot more fun.

Good luck, and keep us posted,
Robin

You'll need a good shave ready razor and a strop to get started. You can buy them as a set from various suppliers, SRD being one of them. You can also buy the various items individually. There is no soap, cream or brush that is especially suited for SR shaving.

You don't really give us an idea of your budget, but you can't go wrong with any of the sets from SRD.

If you're on a really tight budget the set from Rup Razor is nice, but IMHO the inexpensive Dovo razors at SRD are more than above average. I also found a really nice badger brush at Amazon for $20. I thought it was going to be a real gamble at $20, but it's great.

$200 for a badger brush? I don't think so.

Jeremy,
If you didn't know squat about guns,would you ask a forum what you should get? Or would you go to a gun show and handle everything you can get your hands on? Come to the Stroud meet and you will have the opportunity to see and handle many of the razors in the Wiki. Between now and the meet,read all that you can. Specs,reviews,etc. The Chouteau meet was my first,and I can guarantee you will be made to feel welcome. Keep practicing technique,and doing research. It's not a race,but an adventure. Why rush through an adventure?

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

Jeremy,
If you didn't know squat about guns,would you ask a forum what you should get? Or would you go to a gun show and handle everything you can get your hands on? Come to the Stroud meet and you will have the opportunity to see and handle many of the razors in the Wiki. Between now and the meet,read all that you can. Specs,reviews,etc. The Chouteau meet was my first,and I can guarantee you will be made to feel welcome. Keep practicing technique,and doing research. It's not a race,but an adventure. Why rush through an adventure?

That's a great idea! If you can check out a few razors and strops first, you'll be much happier with your purchase. This stuff is built to last, so if you're looking at a $10 price difference just go with what you like better and you'll enjoy it for as long as you own it.

Besides the razor, brush and strop - don't skimp on the creams, soaps, AS, ASB, etc. Prepping your beard and treating your face right will put the whole experience onto another level. If you're not sure what you like yet, buy samples or travel size before you commit.