Thread: Looking for the first one...

The least-costly option for razor and strop (you need both) is probably

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

For a "budget razor" that shaves well, Larry's prices are hard to beat. His "Poor Man's Strop Kit" includes both a leather strop, and pasted strops. Should keep you going for months.

A brush and shaving soap (or shaving cream), you can find in most drugstores.

Charles

So many great choices to choose from. Both your Dovo choices are fine razors, but due to thumb notch on the Bismarck, I would not make that your first.

The notch makes it a very pleasant holding position while shaving, but learning to strop with a notch I don't think is the best route.

IMO A traditional flat shank will work better to learn stropping technique and smoothly flip the razor as you change your stroke on the leather

Chemist,

If you want new build, I would suggest the Dovo Best. This is available in 5/8 & 6/8, half or full hollow.

An extremely competent workhorse of a razor

Straightrazordesigns have them for ca 69 USD.

Have fun !

Bets regards

Russ

Congrats on your graduation, I'm doing the same in about two weeks. I started recently as well; if you have any questions about getting started, feel free to send me a PM and I'll help out as best as I can.

Lots of great options out there.

Strops - You can get a great starter strop from starshaving.com, whippeddog.com, ruprazor.com, or make your own!

Brushes - As for brushes, I just dove into this hobby myself, and bought the VDH boar brush at CVS or Walgreens for like $8. I also saw the whole kit of soap, brush, and bowl at my local grocery store for $8.99! I didn't really give the brush a chance to break in, and may not ever, because I bought the Shea Moisture badger brush from Super Target for $10 I think. The Tweezerman badger brush is available at lots of local retailers for about $15, too.

Soaps/creams - This is a really personal choice, so ask 20 people and you will get 40 different answers I like and have been using the VDH deluxe soap the most. It is VERY inexpensive, and works great. William's Mug is in that same vein. Both locally available. I just tried the Bath and Body Works labeled Proraso cream and it is nice, too. Very menthol-y and tingly. Really nice in the morning. I think the great big tube was $10, should last a lifetime. Oh, don't forget to get a bottle of glycerine at CVS to make uberlather Oh, my review of the Shea Moisture shave butter/cream from Target is that it smells nice, but I probably wouldn't buy it again. It isn't a big lather maker.

Razors - These guys have given you lots of great feedback on razors, and I would listen to them. Anything from the classifieds here for ~$50 that is shave ready should have to set, at least to learn to shave, strop, etc. I probably did it the "wrong" way and bought a bunch of eBay specials, hones, etc. and am teaching myself to hone and restore them. BTW, I got both of my regular shavers this way. It is more expensive and time consuming, but I am a sucker for a new hobby

Anyway, I hope this helps!

Well guys I finally did it, I just ordered my first razor!!!! SO PUMPED! I got the wet shave set from SRD with a 3" strop and the sandalwood soap....I am so excited to shave with the new gear for the first time! Thanks for all the advice!

p.s. do the same people that run this website run SRD???

Originally Posted by Chemist

Well guys I finally did it, I just ordered my first razor!!!! SO PUMPED! I got the wet shave set from SRD with a 3" strop and the sandalwood soap....I am so excited to shave with the new gear for the first time! Thanks for all the advice!

p.s. do the same people that run this website run SRD???

Great choice!
I'm sure you will be happy with that kit.

Lynn Abrams, who founded SRP is also the proprietor of SRD. I believe he runs that place with a partner called Don.
Also a member here