Printable View
I would like to get a straight shaving kit for my husband as an anniversary present. With that said I know nothing about straight razors or kits or anything. He has done alot of reading on how to use the blade and just hasn't been able to invest in a good kit. If anyone has some suggestions for a quality kit that a beginner could work with I would very much appreciate the suggestions. Thanks.
Here you go:
Shopping list for beginners - Straight Razor Place Wiki
The Wiki has lots of good info.
the difficulty in buying a new straight razor is in finding a trusted source for a truly "shave ready" blade
many people starting up buy vintage blades honed by someone they trust, and that's how I started
hopefully someone will chime in with names of trusted sellers of new kits or someone you can buy a nice blade from and create your own kit with some quality soap, a brush and a strop - I can't recommend anything new since I made my soap and brush and strop
First of all thanks for the help on this thread and my intro thread. I've recieved alot of really good tips, and been able to start piecing a set together. From some links I have found what were suggested as good starter sets but could anyone tell me which of these 2 blades is the best:
Dovo "Black Star" 5/8" Straight Razor or Boker King Cutter 5/8 Straight Razor? Thanks!
They're both quality manufacturers and their functionality will be the same, so it's really a choice between looks and price. I personally like the Boker look better.Quote:
Originally Posted by ducky
You are a fantastic Wife!!
And as others suggested look at the Wiki first.
But for the sake of simplicity, basic things you will need to start:
Razor, strop, shave soap/cream, brush and a lather cup/bowl.
There are many fantasic options and combo's and some very good kits.
I think your first question is...what is your budget? And then you can go from there and find/fit things within the budget.
Feel free to Pm me with any questions I would be happy to help
-Jeremy
Another option is getting a used blade from the classifieds that comes shave ready. I think it's a lovely gesture that you're getting this kit for him. If you need any help you can send me a PM.
I don't think "good" is a useful term to compare these two. Both are made by reputable manufacturers, and both will - if properly honed - do what they're supposed to do. Personally, I like the looks of the Böker better, and it is a bit more exclusive, which might be a nice touch.Quote:
Originally Posted by ducky
Anyway, happy shopping. :)
Best regards,
Robin
My dear Ducky:Quote:
Originally Posted by ducky
Both of those razors are good choices. I've had both, and liked both.
The "Black Star" has a light wood handle and a blackened tang, which are then set against a shiny blade with lovely gold wash.
The Boker King Cutter has a black plastic handle set against the shiny blade with lovely silver etching.
It's a difficult choice between these two fine starter razors. I can't quite make up my mind which I like better. Either way, you will not go wrong with one or the other as a fine shaver for a gentleman.
The choice of which razor, I think, I will leave up to you, since you know your husband. Choose with your heart.
By the way, this is a thoughtful gift for a gentleman.
Regards,
Obie
I didn't expect to get so much help in one day, you have all made some very good suggestions thanks. I have ordered differrent pieces through the help of all of you and when I've got it all together I'll let you know how it goes over. I'll be sure to have my husband become a member after he gets his kit so that he can further benefit from all of your experience. Thank you again, you have made one anniversary present much easier.
Those are both excellent razors, I have several Dovo's they are my personal favorite. If you are putting together your own kit the absolute cheapest I've seen that Black Star for is $70.00 at
Dovo. I know it sounds to good to be true but I've ordered from them and they are what they are, and no I'm not affiliated with them.I hope this helps, good luck you'll make your husband very happy, be brave and shave him yourself just don't watch the color purple first.
Interesting shop. Who hones those Dovos for them? I could not find an option to order them honed.
I don't see a Black Star for anything in the $70's there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rekonball
They call it a fibron wood razor I don't think they hone it for you I just said it was the cheapest. I know its a cheesy knife company.
Let me see... professional honing: USD 20; shipment: USD 10. So that's USD 30 on top of that price. Quite possibly the most unattractive offer ever. You might want to take another look at our FAQ.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rekonball
ducky,
Whatever else you do after reading the SRP wiki, make sure that the str8 razor you order has been professionally honed prior to purchase. Many vendors will claim that a razor is "shave ready" but it is not.
I may be too late to assist you, but did you consider purchasing your husband's shaving kit as a complete unit? You could save some money if you purchase the razor, strop, etc. as a complete set rather than a la carte.
Check out the vendors on this site. At least two that I know of offer str8 razors that are professionally honed and come with a strop, etc. The owners are also very helpful and are willing to answer you and your husband's questions about str8 razor shaving.
Best wishes...
Thanks for the tip, I was a little concerned about the honing part. The blade that I purchased was to be professionally honed before shipping it to me. Are there any tips for me to know whether or not it was honed properly before my husband tries to use it? I would prefer that my gift not cut his face all up because it wasn't honed properly.
I really like my new Boker King Cutter It gives great shaves. For that matter my 90 year old Boker Red Inun gives great shaves.
Silver2
if you order from straight razor designs or vintage blades llc it will come honed by Mr. L. Abrams who is also the founder of this site.
there is a test called 'the hanging hair' test that is probably about the only way to test the sharpness of a blade - i'm certain there are a few youtube vids that display the techniqueQuote:
Originally Posted by ducky
unfortunately this test is more of a ballpark kind of test. the only absolute test is how it shaves and that can only be done by someone with experience shaving with a straight razor.
my first razor was shave tested by the gent i purchased it from after he honed it for me - i just trusted him
Where did you purchase the razor from? I assumed Straight Razor Designs initially but wanted to clarify. If that's where you bought it from then, as BAMARACING said earlier, you can be assured that it was honed to perfection.Quote:
Originally Posted by ducky
No matter what, though, have your husband read up on how to shave with one first because he's more likely to get cuts on account of poor technique than anything else. It's good to start with short strokes on the cheek from sideburn to jawline, and then start doing more of your face as you get comfortable holding the razor.
No, there's no such test. That's why it is important to purchase from a vendor the honing of which you trust.Quote:
Originally Posted by ducky
If you have doubts you really should be talking to the vendor about this.
+1 to Gugi's comments. All the stuff you hear about the hanging hair test, thumb pad test and thumb nail test are all used during the honing process for assessing how an edge is progressing. If you use them on a shave ready razor you risk cutting yourself (badly!), damaging the razors edge or both.
The only test for a shave ready blade is to shave with it!
The key difference between factory shave ready and truly shave ready is that a factory edge has probably been honed on some sort of grinding wheel and then stropped before being boxed and shipped. A true shave ready razor will have been honed by hand on a succession of hones and then stropped (and probably test shaved) before being shipped.
If you want to clarify with the seller, ask them if the razor has been honed by hand on stones or whether it came "shave ready" from the factory.
If you buy from one of the reputable sellers here, you'll get a shave ready razor.
Good luck!
That is where I purchased from so I'm glad to hear from both of you that it will be shave-ready when it arrives. My husband has wanted a straight razor as long as I've known him and I know that he has read several referrence works on how to do it so I'm not too afraid of that. With that he will have all of you helpful people if he runs into an issue :)Quote:
Originally Posted by commiecat