Complete Newb.

Alright, I'm browsing through the forums trying to gather as much info as possible in regards to straight razors. Seems to be the way to go as I hate the thought of disposables, too much waste, and the price of repacable heads is insane. With the rising price of fuel I have to figure out some way to save some $ in the long run. I recently got the idea to give a straight razor a try via another online forum.

My questions are what do you recommend for a straight? And who should I purchase it from, and it's accessories? I have read Sheffield Steel blades that are hollow ground are the way to go, is this correct Or are there better straights on the market? Now I do not need/want to spend $500 bucks on a straight razor. I will also need all of the required accessories. Any advice to get me on my way is greatly appreciated.

John

Welcome to SRP! For a razor, post in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum. You should get some responses there. I would suggest buying from one of the members here. You should be able to keep the razor expense under $50-60. Remember, you will need a strop, and for that, check with Tony Miller.

RT

Good to see you here. You've come to the right place for info on this lifestyle choice. If you do choose to follow through with it you will not only save the landfill a little, but easily start getting the best most fulfulling shaves of your life. Whether it saves you any money or not is really up to how obsessive you are.

I'm with Randy BTW. Buy your first shave ready razor from a member here (check the Links from the home page for ALL you will need connections to) and you will only need to worry about shaving.
Bill AKA urleebird should still have a few well priced refurbs available.
Tony Has strops and even whole starter sets, all new for the best price and best quality you can find.
Ray's legacy lives on and while the prices are a bit higher than the afforementioned, the selection and service are outstanding.
Again, check the Links and read the Help Files for lots of answers to questions you haven't formulated yet.

X

John,

Welcome. There is an initial investment of a couple hundred dollars to get the minimal equipment to begin shaving with a straight but once you have the equipment, it will pay for itself in less than a year.

Tony Miller's starter kit is a great place to start. It's what I got when I started and it has served me well. Other than the starter kit, you'll also need to get either a hone (e.g. Norton 4000/8000) or a pasted strop to keep the edge in good shape. Depending on your beard, you'll get maybe 10-20 shaves out of the razor before you need to touch up the edge with a pasted strop or hone. ClassicShaving.com has a great selection of other items like mugs, soaps, creams, towels, brushes. Their prices are pretty reasonable. Just take your time to become informed before you buy.

Ed

Thanks for the advice everyone, really appreciated. I'm probably going to opt for one of the starter kits from Tony as a couple of you had recommended him and he seems to have a pretty complete kit available. I had no idea that shaving with a straight razor was so complicated with all of the accompanying accessories. Thanks again for all of the advice.

John

John,

Welcome to the forum and the world of straight
shaving. Looking forward to your presence on
the forum.

Terry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by U.S.Marines

Thanks for the advice everyone, really appreciated. I'm probably going to opt for one of the starter kits from Tony as a couple of you had recommended him and he seems to have a pretty complete kit available. I had no idea that shaving with a straight razor was so complicated with all of the accompanying accessories. Thanks again for all of the advice.

John

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John,

Let me warn you before hand that shaving with a straight is addictive. A straight razor shave is like no other and after you get used to the straight razor experience, you won't be able to go back. Soon you'll decide that you need another razor, and another and another until you have a whole bunch. Then there's soaps versus creams, mugs, bowls or a scuttle, best badger or silvertip brushes and the various manufacturers of same, Nortons or a coticule, and on it goes. You'll wish your beard grew faster so you could shave more often. I'm not trying to scare you off, I just don't want you to be surprised when the mysterious draw of straight razors takes ahold of you and you're powerless to resist. :D It really is that good. So go ahead and order that starter kit. You'll be glad you did.

Ed

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EdinLA44

John,

Let me warn you before hand that shaving with a straight is addictive. A straight razor shave is like no other and after you get used to the straight razor experience, you won't be able to go back. Soon you'll decide that you need another razor, and another and another until you have a whole bunch. Then there's soaps versus creams, mugs, bowls or a scuttle, best badger or silvertip brushes and the various manufacturers of same, Nortons or a coticule, and on it goes. You'll wish your beard grew faster so you could shave more often. I'm not trying to scare you off, I just don't want you to be surprised when the mysterious draw of straight razors takes ahold of you and you're powerless to resist. :D It really is that good. So go ahead and order that starter kit. You'll be glad you did.

Ed

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Just ordered the starter kit from Tony. :) Thanks for the heads up in regards to the addictive nature of this hobby? I have to shave everyday as it is, Marines, haha. I get plenty of time in front of the mirror. Looking forward to not dropping $10 on four replacement blades every couple of weeks.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I look forward to learning from the tribal elders of the straight razor.

John

Quote:

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Originally Posted by U.S.Marines

Just ordered the starter kit from Tony. :) Thanks for the heads up in regards to the addictive nature of this hobby? I have to shave everyday as it is, Marines, haha. I get plenty of time in front of the mirror. Looking forward to not dropping $10 on four replacement blades every couple of weeks.

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Semper Fi John. There's a few veterans around on SRP (I'm ex Air Force). Your post got me to thinking about shaving with a straight if someone was deployed. If you have a straight, a barber's hone, a strop you could roll up and a brush, you'd be pretty much self-contained shaving-wise and the gear would take up minimal room. You could use your canteen cup to lather up. All you'd need is soap and water and you'd be good to go.

Ed

Welcome John,

Tony's starter kit was an excellant decision. I don't understand why but they are right when they tell you it is addictive. I am writing you from work where I just received two razors I got off ebay. I'll have to sneak them in at home so the wife won't have a fit. It is a blast I used to hate shaving before and now I look forward to it. crazy huh well that's what happens. :D

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Originally Posted by RichZ

Welcome John,

Tony's starter kit was an excellant decision. I don't understand why but they are right when they tell you it is addictive. I am writing you from work where I just received two razors I got off ebay. I'll have to sneak them in at home so the wife won't have a fit. It is a blast I used to hate shaving before and now I look forward to it. crazy huh well that's what happens. :D

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I hope you are right in regards to its addictive nature, haha. I hate shaving, if this makes something that I have to do everyday more enjoyable, right on! :) Perhaps this will fill the void left by my Jeep, finally got it built the way I want it, and I need something to keep me occupied.

I just recieved my starter kit from Tony. :) Service was fast and he was very helpful. The enclosed directions answered some of the questions I had in regards to the finer points of stropping. I'm very pleased with what I recieved.

I have shaved twice so far. It is pretty time consuming as I'm obviously just starting, but I know speed will come with time and experience. Today I shaved for about 25 minutes and did an ok job. The only areas that are giving me somewhat of a problem is my chin, and I haven't tried to shave the moustache yet. I'm pleased to report I only nicked myself two or three times, and very minor at that. And in my defense on of the nicks was the result of a small scar on my chin.

My 12 yo son was pretty intrigued by the straight razor. He thought it was pretty cool "like the mafia". So far so good, I won't say I'm a fanatic yet, but that too will perhaps come in time. Tony's directions coupled with this forum and a nice phone conversation I had with Charlie made my first shave bloodless, yes the nicks I recieved were today, my second day of shaving.

Shaving with a straight is not something to do when you're in a hurry. I usually shave with a straight on weekends when I have the time to really enjoy it. It takes time to learn and the nice shaves you'll get will be worth it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by U.S.Marines

I just recieved my starter kit from Tony. :) Service was fast and he was very helpful. The enclosed directions answered some of the questions I had in regards to the finer points of stropping. I'm very pleased with what I recieved.

I have shaved twice so far. It is pretty time consuming as I'm obviously just starting, but I know speed will come with time and experience. Today I shaved for about 25 minutes and did an ok job. The only areas that are giving me somewhat of a problem is my chin, and I haven't tried to shave the moustache yet. I'm pleased to report I only nicked myself two or three times, and very minor at that. And in my defense on of the nicks was the result of a small scar on my chin.

My 12 yo son was pretty intrigued by the straight razor. He thought it was pretty cool "like the mafia". So far so good, I won't say I'm a fanatic yet, but that too will perhaps come in time. Tony's directions coupled with this forum and a nice phone conversation I had with Charlie made my first shave bloodless, yes the nicks I recieved were today, my second day of shaving.

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It used to be a weekend thing for me at first, but now I shave every morning before work. It takes me about 15 minutes.
My 12 year old has already picked out one of my razors that he can have when he starts to shave. Darn kid picked out a favorite.:D

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Originally Posted by U.S.Marines

I hate shaving, if this makes something that I have to do everyday more enjoyable, right on!

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My sentiments exactly. If I have to do something on a daily basis, I may as well find a way to thoroughly enjoy it. Straight shaving is very relaxing and effective. The shave is second to none. It also keeps the traditional methods of shaving from our forefathers alive. It's nice to see new members coming to this site.

Just a thought: if a celebrity were to mention that he str8 shaves in a interview or flat-out endorses str8 shaving, I wonder if more men would do it? It seems like too much work for most men. But by the same token, some of the allure of str8 shaving may be lost if it became too popular. :hmmm:

-Rob