Thread: Newb here, need advice on what gear to get

Hey all, I recently recieved my giveaway razor (which I posted about in the general forum) and it has without a doubt confirmed that straight razor shaving is something I need to get into.
Anyway, so far the only thing I have is the razor and I need the rest of the gear.

I've been perusing the forums for some time now and have learned that you all speak quite highly of Tony's strops; so, I believe I'll order one from him. However, there are quite a few choices and I really don't know which one to get. Ideally I'd get his top of the line stuff, but I don't think I have quite the funds to go all out. I see that a bunch of Tony's strops are "super heavy weight". What exactly does that mean? compared to a normal or not-super heavy weight strop.

Next item I'll likely need is some sort of hone. From what I understand, the norton 4k/8k hone is what everyone has. The local Lee Valley Tools stores here sell them for $83.50CAD which I don't have much of a problem springing for; seeing as, from what I've heard, they'll pretty much last a lifetime. Alternatively, I was thinking of instead getting one of Tony's pasted paddle strops. However, I would like to acquire some more razors, and I'm not sure if a pasted paddle strop would suffice for any restoration/honing of the edge I might need to do.

As I previously mentioned, I'd like to acquire some more razors. What I was intending to do, is get another razor or two to practice honing/stopping/etc. on, while keeping the razor I recieved in the giveaway to use as a benchmark for my work. I don't exactly want a brand new mint condition razor. Rather, something that would require abit more work. I have a lot of free time and could use a hobby Having said that, I could use any tips for getting razors from ebay. I've read the usual threads about what brands and sellers to stay away from, but haven't picked up much info about what to persue.

Lastly is the shave soaps, brushes, and mugs. I'm really in the dark here, don't know what to get at all. However, I've been using the gilette shave gels so far and they seem to be doing fine for now; so I can hold off on these items if need be.

If you don't want to part with too much cash, you may want to get one of Tony's seconds. Same performance with minor cosmetic imperfections that are practically invisible. If I were you, I'd get one with linen and full hardware.

The next item on the list are brushes. I had great success with Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger brush. It's $55CA at any of their stores and they have a beautifuly matching Kent stand for it for $8.50 (worth it if you want your brush to last).

If you want a mug, to be honest, I'd just use a dollar store coffee mug for starters. You don't need to invest a lot in that department for now.

Crabtree & Evelyn sells some great soaps and guys here love the Nomad. However, Colleen has some great soaps that you can order online. Some of her best ones are:
1) Cavendish Black (tingles sensitive skin a bit but I still love it)
2) Desert Ironwood (a CLOSE second)
3) Orange Patchouli (not far behind DI lol)

Aftershaves... Forget about the store-bought stuff. Dominica Bay Rum rocks if you like alcoholics, I'm working on an herbal formula (which I'll publish here for everyone's use if it works well) and someone else will have to give you a non alcoholic suggestion.

Norton is the bread and butter here, even though I'm making do with 4k/8k japs that I got for like $35. Pasted strops are for edge maintenance and for refining the edge after you're already done with Norton. If you're planning on restoring them, you may want to get a rough hone in the 1500 range, a fast cutter. They're relatively cheap, like $25 range.

Ilija tells you true, I'd follow his advice.

The Norton which you will need if you intend to work on blades will be a new skill and take appropriate attention and patience.

A two sided paddle will do if you're going that way. I got some Chromium Oxide stick from Lee Valley when i bought my Norton and us it on one brushed leather side of my two sided pocket paddle.

X

Also keep in mind that Bill Ellis sells blades at http://Billysblades.com

And Joe Chandler gets some nice blades in from time to time. His Name in the member list here is simply Joe Chandler, and his yahoo IM is agentjac0069.

Also the others offer some good ones up for fair prices on here if you go to the for sale or classifieds section from the main page of www.straightrazorplace.com

A couple of the fellows have gotten a japanese 4000/8000 stone (or there abouts) cheaper than the norton and are just as happy with it. you may want to check that out to save additional bucks. (35 bucks new I recall someone telling me)

Glen F

You've got some good advice from the pros here. I can only add my own experiences to it. The thicker strops are just that thicker, does that make them better? no I don't think so. The important thing is the surface of the strop. A quality strop is just that, thicker is nice like the old vintage ones but not necessary.

I would stick with the norton 4K/8K for now if you want to get into resoration you can always get a 1k later on and later on you might try the belgian Blue and yellow coticule though they are pricy for a newbee. Personally I don't use pasted strops so I can't advise you there but thats a personal thing, Some guys love them and have alot of success with them and some just don't need them.

Lose the shaving gel and get a quality soap or cream from one of the well known vendors like classic shaving.

As far as a brush goes I would start with a small badger they are not too expensive and will fill the bill just fine.

As far as buying on Eboy that could be a 5 page affair. personally until I had more experience I would contact Bill Ellis or some of the other guys here who sell razors, You'll get a quality razor in shave ready condition for a very fair price instead of a chipped, rusty piece of garbage requiring restoration.

I'm having a hell of a time playing with a couple of those requiring restoration, and I will post my impressions on the restoration forum. I just keep my mind on the fact that I WILL turn them into nice looking shavers and that it will EVENTUALLY become worth the hassle lol.

Toxik,
Got your e-mail but thought I would answer the questions here so other newbies could benefit as well.
A pasted paddle strop will not take the place of a Norton if you pla to restore older razors or on those with nick. A pasted padle strop will get most quality, out of the box razors shave ready though. If starting, and stickming with shave ready, or brand new, quality razors it will be fine and could be supplimented by a barbers hone.

As for the super heavyweight, it is just that heavier, with a nce feel but the surface is what matters. I added the weight comment to give buyers a feel for just how substantial these are, most, even my regular weight strops are twice as thick as most Dovo and Jemico strops. The surface on mine have a very nice draw that most buyers swear by once they have tried them.

I do offer seconds right now at a substantial discount, check my website.

If you do plan on restoring razors I do suggest saving for that Norton though.

Tony

Hrmmm, from the sounds of it, maybe I should just get a starter kit from Tony. I could get the paddle strop starter kit, since it comes with pretty much one of everything I need; and, a Seconds hanging strop, seeing as they're such a good deal from what I hear. With that equipment, I should be able to hold off on any hones until I wish to get more into straight razors.
I figure I could use the Dovo that comes with the set to acquire my strop/honing skills on while I keep the Lynn honed Tonsorial Gem that I recieved in the giveaway as a benchmark to my own efforts.
How does that plan of attack sound to you guys?

Another good source is ClassicShaving.com. They have lots of little stuff you may want like styptic pencils, shave towels, etc. They also sell Vulfix brushes were are a great brush for the price. They also sell some inexpensive mugs, but I prefer the short Old Spice mugs that you can usually get off eBay for about $5-10. Classic also sells their own brand of soap which is pretty good and inexpensive as well. They offer some very nice razors and the sharpening service they offer is with Lynn (extra $20 at checkout) and they handle all the mailing back and forth. I'm just a long time happy customer of theirs but I thought you might be interested.

www.classicshaving.com

you can actually get tourniquets, catgut and suture needles from your local Farm and tractor supply store too . j/k.

If you've got it to do, a starter kit from Tony actually equates into a nice deal.

The 8X3X1 norton 4000/8000 is currently onsale for 59 bucks at http://www.hartvilletool.com
Shipping looks like 9 bucks but it still seems to be the best price over all as the others I've found are currently over 70 BEFORE shipping gets added.

Glen F