Thread: Received Art of Shaving gift set... Some Q's!

Hello all,

I've been using the search function and browsing the forums for the past few days, and have to say that I am immensely impressed with the knowledge base here at straightrazorplace. It is really refreshing to see so many dedicated gurus willing to help out beginners like me with such enthusiasm.

I recently received an "Art of Shaving" starter kit that contains pre-shave oil, shave cream, badger brush, and after-shave lotion. I have the itch to get into straight-razor shaving right now, but had some initial questions about what "gear" to purchase.

First off, how are "art of shaving" products? Are there better products for less out there?

Secondly, I would like to get a disposable blade system for my first few months, as it seems to be easier in terms of maintenance and hit on the wallet. Are the shavette and feather the two best options? Out of those two which razor do the pro's recommend? Is there another type entirely that would be better suited?

FWIW, I currently use a fusion with no razor burn, I have a coarse beard, and shave every two days (I like a bit of scruff). I do use a saftey straight razor to clean up my sideburns and eyebrows (bought at Sally's Beauty Supply, haha)

AOS does make quality products, but I would say the general consensus is that there are other products as good or better at more reasonable prices. There are many, but a few examples would be Proraso, Musgo Real, and Taylors of Old Bond Street. And of course, you also have a number craftspeople like Mama Bear Sue, St. Charles Shave Sue and Colleen making great products at very good prices. You can learn more about them here in the Vendors forum.

As far as your hardware, I'll leave that to the more experienced members here.

Welcome and enjoy journey!

Jordan

I will only offer my own educated, not so humble, opinion. Art of Shaving is vastly overpriced for the quality of the product offered. Their main advantage is that they're stocked in several high-end retailers, so if you want something right away, you can just go out to the store and buy it. I think their creams are too thin, and the scents aren't all that great. However - the products aren't "bad" per se - if you got 'em, use 'em.

As far as value for money, I think Taylor of Old Bond Street (ToOBS, as they are sometimes abbreviated) is the best. It's a high-end British cream (and they make almost every other product you could imagine, too) at a reasonable price. Prorasso, available now at your local target, is also good value for money. I would urge you to also take the plunge and give some othe other high-end products (Truefitt & Hill, Trumper, etc.) a go as well. You don't have to buy the entire tub - if you want to try different scents, just buy a tube. T&H, by the way, is available online from lots of places, and you might get lucky and find it in your local Nordstrom.

If you decide you like hard soaps, the options are many. Classicshaving's house brand is well spoken of, and there are several soapmakers of high repute that frequent this forum, and can help you out.

I've said (at least three times in as many days!) that I don't recommend a shavette, and especially not a feather, for a beginner. People of good mind can disagree on this, but I'll tell you why this is my position.

First, the edge on a DE blade used in a shavette, or on a feather blade, is as wicked sharp as can be accomplished by modern science. That means you have to use a very light hand. In fact, with the feather, you may have to use "negative pressure" - that is, lift the blade off your skin - and will get cut if you hesitate. Also, the weight is all wrong, compared to a "real" straight, and because they are so much lighter (this especially true of the shavette), control becomes a real issue. The shave also tends to be a bit rougher.

On the positive side, you avoid honing, stropping, and the like. Chicks dig scars. You can claim you were a member of a German dueling fraternity. And my barber uses a DOVO with a removable blade, so how bad can it be? Really, though, I suggest buying a pre-honed straight and a strop. Under normal use, and unless you have a beard made out of steel wool, you shouldn't need it rehoned for quite a while, and by then, you will hopefully have gotten the hang of it.

I hope my rantings are helpful. Good luck!

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

My only concern is that up to this point in my life, I have been totally inept at sharpening any type of blade at all. Also, with my apartment setup, I do not know where I'd be able to attach the strop and go to town. I figured the disposable blade setup was the "easiest" (least involved maintenance-wise) way to get into straight-edge shaving. Any other opinions out there?

Well, fwtw here are my thoughts -

In researching the straight world before I jumped in, I came to the conclusion that using a shavette or other disposable is simply not the same as shaving with a "real" SE. So, whether you like the shavette or dislike the shavette, you still won't know what its like to shave with a straight. In other words, if all you care about is getting a good shave with an open blade, than try the shavette. If you want to shave with straight razor, then use a real straight razor. I knew I would end up with a straight regardless of whether or not I tried the shavette, so I just skipped it altogether.

I live in a fairly small apartment too (NY= small and expensive ). I use a loop of wire from a frame hanging kit and hang the strop off the doorknob to the linen closet. This works fine. I'm also pretty inept when it comes to sharpening (I'm learning though) and pasted strops will keep you in the game for quite a while while you learn to hone properly. I'd say go for the real thing. You know you will anyway.

Just my two cents

Jordan

I'll second Jordan on this one. Just don't try to learn honing on your primary blade. Buy an e-bay antique piece, disinfect it, clean it up and then take it to the hone. Even if you're inept, you'll have plenty of time to learn while maintaining the sharpness of the other razor's edge with abrasive pastes.

The decisions the decisions!

I agree 100% (especially with my personality) that I will move onto a "true" SE eventually. I think, mentally, I am unsure if I will be patient enough (off the bat) for the extended time needed for a proper shave, and being able to cut out the blade prep time is what is attracting me so much to the disposables.

Looking on classic shaving, i think i am going to pick up an artist club rg, some feather blades, and a jar of their house soap to give it a whirl... Since i've doomed myself to this faulty start, does anyone have any other tips? Other than buying a case of towels to stop the torrents of blood, of course

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I'll second Jordan on this one. Just don't try to learn honing on your primary blade. Buy an e-bay antique piece, disinfect it, clean it up and then take it to the hone. Even if you're inept, you'll have plenty of time to learn while maintaining the sharpness of the other razor's edge with abrasive pastes.

i'm going to disagree with both of them. reading through a lot of these forums, you'll get the idea that the whole process of shaving and sharpening is more difficult than it really is. i learned to hone on my primary, my only blade. i compared it to a shave ready i'd purchased on this forum, but i only shaved with that one to gauge my own honing skills, and only did that three or four times in a couple of months. just read all the expert info provided here on this forum carefully, and don't do anything stupid, like stropping with the edge leading. it's really not that hard to pick up.

I did the same but getting the edge right takes time and patience. Having a good gauge for it makes your job easier.

Go for the straight razor out of the gate if you can. You can start with a shavette or a feather if you really want to, I mean if you don't really think you can handle a TRUE straight razor and just want to play around with the idea to make yourself feel good. All that "just want to see if it's really for me" stuff we've all heard before and it mostly comes from sissys. Really, it does. Not judging you or anything, but we're beyond all that. We're men, right guys!

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