Thread: how much will a decent straight razor setup cost me?!

Hi there everybody.
I am a first time poster here and I hope someone can help me out.
I am not new to the technique of shaving with a straight razor.
in fact I have been shaving with "disposable blade" straight razors for a while.
I use Gillette nacet platinum and I am very happy with them.
I am thinking of moving on to real straights but I need to know how much I will have to pay to get a decent razor, strop and hone.

I am not your "mustache wax and pipe and straight razor with buffalo horn handle" kind of guy!!
in fact I am not that Macho!!
I just like the smoothness and ease of shaving with a straight razor.(all the beard comes off with one stroke in the direction of the grain and you never have beard getting stuck like stupid mach 3s!! )

I am not obsessed with the ultimate close shave either. I only shave with the grain, I have sensitive skin.

I am a broke, loan holding, cheapstake student! and I would appreciate a setup that does not cost me much money.
basically any razor, strop and hone that can get me close to Gillete nacets will do.
so what should I do?!
Thanks a lot.

Whipped dog is the place for you. You can get everything you need, razor, strop, hone, soap for low price. He doesn't do full on super perfecto restoration, but just does basic cleaning and sharpening to keep his costs down. If you want to spend a little more on the strop, I'd recommend ruprazor.

If I was in your shoes this is what I would get.

5/8 Shumate Razor $35
Filly strop $22
2 x 5-1/4 Keen Kutter barber's hone $24
4g of Mitchell's wool fat soap $4

Total price, $63 before shipping.

Thank you very much friend.
in fact I think that is cost effective.
I will have a look.
have a great day

actually I just had a look and the razor looks really beat up. is it still better than the new 10$ ebay gold dollar ones?

Great starter set up. For cheap and cheerful soap I would suggest Arko, Turkish shaving soap. Apart from the citronella scent (yes, the stuff that chases mosquitos) I love all its aspects. Can't beat the price.

Gold dollar razors are hit and miss IIRC. If you consider buying one get one from one of our members. They'll sell you a good one.

Ruprazor sells rescaled Gold Dollars. I am sure if you ask him he'll sell you a good one in original scales.

I got my Kropp 5/8th (a Very god vintage razor) for £20 off ebay and got a cheap strop which did the job, for 15-20 too ($55 - $65).

Just be sure to check the pictures for cracks and ask questions, it took me a week or so of searching ebay before i finally found a good one.

hope this helps

yes I have tried Arko shaving creams.
there is "moist" and "cool" as far as I remember and I really enjoyed the cool one in Iranian summers. right now though I live in Canada and it is snowing!!
I dont really care about the scales as I mentioned, as long as the blade is good quality steel I will be fine. I dont know Ruprazor, I am new to this forum.
can you please introduce me?

"I dont really care about the scales as I mentioned, as long as the blade is good quality steel I will be fine."


If you use ebay, search for sheffield straight razor, pulled up alot of VERY high qulity steel vintage razors

If you follow the advice given here and shop around...you may be able to get everything you need for under $100. You won't stop there though.

Originally Posted by jcsixx

If you follow the advice given here and shop around...you may be able to get everything you need for under $100. You won't stop there though.

I probably wont, but considering that I am really broke and my wallet is pretty beat up, I have to start somewhere right?
I know after I graduate and get a real job I will have more money to spend.
what I am sure about though is that I wont pay a penny for "horn handle" or "mother of pearl" or "14 carat gold markings" for a razor.

Originally Posted by danielghofrani

actually I just had a look and the razor looks really beat up. is it still better than the new 10$ ebay gold dollar ones?

It is, and far better at that.

Here is the deal with whipped dog. He doesn't spend a lot of time on the look of the razor, instead he just gets a good edge on it and stops there. This is why his prices are low. Yes they look beat up, but there are some quality razors on his site (the sumate, robeson, and geniva are all quality razors). The deal with good razor, like the 3 I mentioned, is that if you get a good edge on them they will give you GREAT shaves. You may be able to find cheaper razors, but they won't give you quality at the price whipped dog can give you.

So they may no look so hot, but if you are looking for a combination of inexpensive and quality, those 3 are the best you can get at the moment.

If you want a more fully restored, inexpensive razor, check out the classifieds. The cheapest there is a 5/8th Frederick Reynolds for $37. This will give you the same quality shave, for a little more.