Doing my homework before jumping in.

Hey guys I've been wet shaving for a few months, I really like the DE way of things, but I've always wanted to get into straight razor shaving.

I've read over the beginners guide, and I'm working my way through various forums and other articles.

I have an old strop that was given to me when my family members learned about my new hobby of vintage shaving. I'm going to learn some more about strop repair and try and get it in some sort of functional shape.

I've read something about how many users screw up their first strop so I'd rather mess up this old junker than a nice new one anyway!

I currently plan on either getting a cheap blade on the classifieds here or getting a sight unseen deal from whipped dog.

I'm open to any advice, and I would surely appreciate it!

Flip, Welcome, and kudos for doing the homework. In all likelihood, you'll do very well. You're already used to making lather. Stropping is huge. The best thread I've ever seen on it was Glen's 3/11 beginners tips.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html

Be sure to scroll through it some, it links Al's exquisit vids on the all important 'flip' at the end of a stropping stroke. I was lousy at it - destroyed 5 strops. They still quiver when I walk in a room. I didn't listen to the counsel to learn the shave before learning to hone. Lets say there's a reason my screen name is 'pinklather'.

'Sounds like you're getting ready to launch a success. It won't be long & you'll be getting the best shaves of your life. 'No longer an annoying chore.

Best of Luck, Flip.

Well with the DE I've gotten into a routine, so shaving is already fun for me instead of a chore. I will not be giving up my DE anytime soon because: Bald.

I shave my head as well, and let's be honest I'd be a real idiot to try and shave the back of my head with a straight any timein the near future!

I'm going to focus a lot of my studying on learning what the hell to do with a strop, and seeing if I can get the one I have into some semblance of working order. I've seen the strop repair thread, but I need to do some more digging before I know enough for that to help me. I'll have to take some pictures and ask some questions over on the strop section.

Thanks for the warm welcome, and hopefully you bought your syptic in bulk ;)

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Originally Posted by HyzerFlip

Hey guys I've been wet shaving for a few months, I really like the DE way of things, but I've always wanted to get into straight razor shaving. ... I currently plan on either getting a cheap blade on the classifieds here or getting a sight unseen deal from whipped dog.

I'm open to any advice, and I would surely appreciate it!

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Welcome to SRP and the world of straight shaving. Do yourself and your face a favor and purchase a good razor at a fair price that is within your budget and not a razor that is past it's prime that is made shave ready. If the funds are not currently available to purchase a good razor be patient and save up for a shave worthy razor while you continue hunting. Continue your homework to learn what to avoid in straight razor condition to go along with brands to avoid. You may find one at a decent price that you can afford. Razors that have heavy wear or have been modified to remove damage is not a good razor to learn straight razor shaving with. Good luck.

I will whole heartedly recommend Larry/WhippedDog. He has good straights at good prices. I don't understand people buying $250+ razors and $80+ strops for their first setups. Just spend $50 on Larry's sight unseen deal and make sure you're going to like straight shaving without a huge initial outlay. If you do, and you want to upgrade, you will be able to resell your cheap razor for most, if not all, of what you have in it. (kind of like buying an old, reliable used car. No room left to depreciate.)

I guess it's your money, not mine, so spend what you want. Just don't completely discount vintage blades. **edited to add: However, only buy vintage blades from trusted sellers when you're first starting out. It will limit your frustration.

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Originally Posted by medicevans

I guess it's your money, not mine, so spend what you want. Just don't completely discount vintage blades. **edited to add: However, only buy vintage blades from trusted sellers when you're first starting out. It will limit your frustration.

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These are the only options I considered. Buying from WhippedDog or from the classifieds here from a trusted seller. I'm currently talking with a very helpful member who is helping me get set up with my first gear.

I still welcome and appreciate any other advice, I'm genuinely interested in everything right now.

I am SO glad I started with a DE if for no other reason than to get my skin ready and my lather building ready for this world.

It's just a few less variables to worry about.

My only advice is while I agree not to spend money on high end gear at this point also realize if you go with real bargain basement gear your view of this whole experience might be clouded by the low performing gear you are trying to learn on. So, whatever you get make sure it's quality stuff.

I did buy decent and reputable products up front and they still serve me well today. Ex. 4 sided strop with three sides pasted, a 3" strop, and a vulfix super badger brush, and the Dovo Special Tortoise straight razor, which I sold to another new straight razor user. It shaved well and it was more forgiven then other razors.

Starting out, this was a great set up for me.

Pabster