Thread: Advice for a poor college student...

Hello everyone!

This is my first post, but I wanted to ask a question, so I thought it should go here rather than the introduction board.

I have been using a Gillette double edge safety razor for some time. I picked it up at an antique store and cleaned it up. It is pretty old (1932 stamped on the bottom of the head), and has been a nice change from the current commercial razors. I would like, however, to continue my exploration back into the history of shaving and learn how to shave with a straight razor.

I have been reading over different beginner advice articles, and most have a few basic suggestions for what kind of razor to look for, but the number of choices is quite overwhelming. So far, I have narrowed it down to wanting to avoid one of the replaceable blade type razors (it seems less authentic, and possibly more difficult to learn via articles I have read).

The other important consideration I have is that as a soon to graduate college student who was recently married, I don't have much disposable income. My wife and I are saving for a move to a new city so we can both put our degrees to use. It seems like for a new razor, I would be looking at $80-100 on the cheap side. I have also seen suggestions to look on classifieds, but I am still not sure what exactly I should be looking for.

So, my question at the end of all that, how much would I need to spend for a conservative shaving setup, and where should I be looking to find these things?

Thanks for your feedback, I have been really impressed with the community around straight razor shaving, and I hope that I will soon be able to enter the ranks of those practicing an art linking each of us back through history.

Hello fellow Centralian. If you want to PM me I will get you my phone number and we will meet up after the new quarter starts. I will help you get a conservative setup and teach you what ever you need to know. Learning one on one is a million times better than on your own.
It is unfortunate you didn't join earlier as we had a meet in Yakima this last weekend.
Any questions you have please feel free to ask me and most importantly WELCOME to the forum.

Welcome to SRP !

If you're on a budget, I have a few suggestions for you:

* Classified section : There are some inexpensive, shave ready razors there. They're all good tools. Just be patient and look everyday, and purchase one that meets your need$.

* Whipped dog (Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales) He sells some not so pretty, put inexpensive high quality razors. He also sells a poor man's strop kit.

I suggest not to buy a square point razor for a first straight, or make sure the tip has been muted. Those razors aren't very forgiving for a beginner.

If you're looking for a brush, you can buy some inexpensive boar brushes at wallmart or other big chain stores that do the trick, or you can check out ian tang's shop on ebay, he sells some rather inexpensive badger brushes which are more than decent.



NOTE: I didn't see Deihaingeal's message. That sounds GREAT. Do that.

+1 for glenn24's suggestion. I have two straights, one from the Classifieds and the other from whippeddog. I didn't spend more than $50 on either one and both arrived in shave ready condition.

Thanks for all the great advice, it is nice to see such great communities on the internet.

How much (roughly) do you guys think the minimum cost for getting a workable setup would be? It would be nice to know so I can decide whether to get really excited about starting with a straight razor, or just keep it in the back of my mind until I have enough.

Thanks again!

I will give you a razor and strop to try out for a while(if I can find it). If you like it we'll figure something out for you.
What shaving items do you have? Do you have a brush or soap?

Wow! Thanks for the offer deighaingeal! I do have a brush and some soap, nothing fancy, just from around town, but I have been using it with my safety razor.

There have been some really good razors in the classifieds here on SRP. Lynn and Don have placed some very good, slightly used razors up for sale recently that meet your description. You could wait for a new, slightly used razor or purchase one of the others in the classifieds. I recently let two Dovo Prima Klangs slip past me by not checking the ads enough.

I started with a Dovo Prima Klang a couple months ago and have purchased several vintage razors. So far the Prima Klang and a Henry Sears and Sons are my two favorite razors.

One thing I have learned from reading these posts and watching the classifieds is that there is always another razor. You don't have to be in a hurry to find a great razor in your price range.

Good luck and congratulations on your graduation...

+1 to the advice given so far, and BIG kudos to deig for stepping up to the plate to help a guy out!

I get the being poor part. Round here I say "thrifty" or "budget conscious" but that's just my pride talking.

The classifieds here are members selling razors...they're generally in it to help new guys pick up razors more than to turn a buck on a blade.

Whippeddog also focuses more on helping guys get started than on turning a profit. His strop kit is about the cheapest I've seen, and has plenty of good reviews.

Since you're already DE shaving I assume you've got soap and brush and bowl (I see you posted that you have soap and brush) so you're good to go there. No special soap or brush difference between DE's and Straights.

As an OPTION (not a directive, and not affiliated at all with anyone selling these items)
$19 for beginner strop kit from whippeddog
$30-60 for decent razor from classifieds here (or WD)
$ 0 for soap you already have
$0 for brush you already have
$0 for cup/face/arm/hand for lathering in, which you already have.
I'd say you're looking at $50-$80 for a decent setup that will get you down the road at least a few months. $20 for re-honing of each razor after a month or two of use (maybe longer), or +/-$20 for a good barber's hone from classifieds or e-bay (after doing requisite research) and learning to maintain your own blades for free.

With deig's offer, your start up is free! To own your own stuff, could go as cheap as $50, OR the sky's the limit.

Welcome to SRP and good luck with your shaving adventure!

P.S.>>>I'm from just south of the Columbia. Sure miss that country.

What kind of soap do you have?
If it is just VDH, it is fine.
If you want something better; do you know where the RiteAid on main is?
They have a product called The Real Shave cream. Do not get the gel or confuse it with the balm.
Get the standard shave cream. The cost is under $10.

What brush are you using? If the VDH we can find you something better, but that one will work.
The Omega's are great for boar at a reasonable cost. They are all over online. Others have mentioned good badger.

It all depends on what you want to spend. I started this before I was even in school, I had just been laid-off. Talk about low income. I had none. If I did it you can too.

If you want to go to the Spokane meet this summer and are still in the area I will try to keep a seat open.

Please email me at: [email protected] I will arrange to get you the razor and strop and we can arrange a meeting to go over the basics.