Complete Newb stuck between making the jump to a full straight edge razor or

So I'm basically complete new to the concept of a good shave and have been considering getting a straight edge for a while. My main problem is that I'm having trouble making the jump to get a straight edge due to the high price commitment. I'm trying to decide if I should get my feet wet a little with a parker SR1 disposable straight edge for around 25 dollars or jump at one of the cheap, vintage razors that are on the classifieds here. I'm just afraid that I'll damage a good blade from stropping it wrong/ honing it a few months down the road, since I don't have a huge budget. Basically, I'm stuck trying to figure if I should try the disposable one or just make the jump and get a vintage razor from the classifieds here and buy a strop and accessories. Thanks for your advice!

here's the link to the disposable that I'm considering.
Amazon.com: Parker SRW Stainless Steel Straight Edge Barber Razor & 120 Shark Super Stainless Blades: Health & Personal Care

Hello, Mukan7, and welcome to Straight Razor Place. Straight razor shaving is a commitment. You really have to want it. If you, however, are debating whether you should start or not, please study the Wiki for a fair amount amount of usable information. Also, watch as many videos as you can find on straight razor shaving. After that, if you still want to switch to straight razors, buy a good razor and strop and begin.

The vendors listed here are all reputable dealers. Also you have a good choice in the Classified. If you are serious about this, forget the straight razor with replaceable blades and go for the real one.

I started with a Dovo Shavette that takes 1/2 of a DE blade. My guess is that you will eventually get into the REAL straights (as I did). However, when I first started out I dropped the razor once or twice as did my wife. That alone saved me 3 or 4 re-honings. The other advantage is that I now have a travel straight! My wife still uses the Shavette once a week on her legs and I only use it to try out different brand blades or when I don't want to load up my strop when travelling.

I've seen some newb started out with replaceable straight & changing to a real straight, which I think'll cost more money. imo, the curiosity to try the real straight is unavoidable. Go straight all the way bro..

Go with a real straight to start with. If you don't, most likely you will end up paying $25 then paying another $35-45 for a "real" straight a couple of months from now. Check out http://www.whippeddog.com/straightra...n-fit-u-a0721a

Larry is a good guy and will do you right. Email him if you any questions about it. The sight unseen deal is likely to be the best price you'll find in a complete kit. The poor man's strop works well. Don't worry about rolling the edge too much. It's a tool, not a fragile toy. Watch some videos, ask a bunch a questions on here, and above all have fun. Because if you don't enjoy it, well, why do it?

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Mukan7, and welcome to Straight Razor Place. Straight razor shaving is a commitment. You really have to want it. If you, however, are debating whether you should start or not, please study the Wiki for a fair amount amount of usable information. Also, watch as many videos as you can find on straight razor shaving. After that, if you still want to switch to straight razors, buy a good razor and strop and begin.

The vendors listed here are all reputable dealers. Also you have a good choice in the Classified. If you are serious about this, forget the straight razor with replaceable blades and go for the real one.

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I agree with Obie about the replaceable blade straights, stay away from them. That's how I started out and I had a lot of irritation, nicks, and cuts. It was enough to make me forget about trying to straight razor shave. But getting a true straight razor changed all that. Follow Obie's advice, he knows his stuff.

Hi Mukan7, and welcome to SRP!

I'll second the recommendation to get a set from Whippeddog. Larry specializes in getting people started.

If it doesn't work out for you, you can resell your gear pretty easily. Our Classifieds are quite active.

Click on the Community link up above, and put your pin in the Googlemap. You can also see if there's a member nearby who can help you get started. If you happen to be in western Colorado, you're welcome to drop by and try anything in my collection.

Best wishes!

Mukan, I'd say the guys are telling you right. Strop/razor/brush can be had complete for under $100, and the shaves from the lower cost replaceable blade straights aren't as easy to get used to. Whipped Dog & other places can have you comfortably under $75 for those items. If you hit snags, PM me for help. Part of the name Pinklather was from trying a fake st8.

Or you could try finding someone in your region who is willing to show you a few things about shaving with a SR and loan you one for a while? I've tried a few of Whipped Dog's razors and was happy with them, they have since gone to other people who wanted to find out if straight razor shaving was something they liked. Enjoy your journey!

Thanks for all the responses! I'm currently on my way to acquiring one through whippeddog.com. Thank you all very much for helping a newbie. THANKS!!!

You aren't going to be sorry you did that. What did you end up getting?????

I'm getting the sight unseen set with the hones and a silvertip knotted brush from whipped dog. I'm considering getting some Scottish Heather Soap from the Razor Emporium.
Once again, Thanks for your advice!

Pm inbound Mukan

I am a newbie and you are making a good choice go with the straight razor. I do not think you will regret it at all.

Great choice. I wish I had seen the "sight unseen" deal when I was first starting out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mukan7

So I'm basically complete new to the concept of a good shave and have been considering getting a straight edge for a while. My main problem is that I'm having trouble making the jump to get a straight edge due to the high price commitment.
....snip.... Thanks for your advice!
here's the link to the disposable that I'm considering.
....snip....

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So tell us what you shave with now.

Do visit the Wiki and read the beginner
getting started pages:
Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

It can be important to know what the minimum set
of moving parts is for a new hobby. You do
not want to come up short by some silly omission.

About honing... there is an option.
Honing is the most challenging bit for some
beginners as the set of hones can be expensive
and the learning curve "interesting". However
it is quite inexpensive to send a razor out
to a honemaster. A single good combo hone costs
about the same as three or four services by a
honemaster. A honemaster will have that
and perhaps a full $1000.00+ investment in
his hone kit to select from to sharpen and
finish your razor. The service is a bargain
when you consider this.

Welcome Mukan! I started off with the parker. It is very good at teaching you technique, but after about 2 weeks I couldnt wait to get a Dovo....I havent shaved with the lil bugger since!