Thread: Beginner Setup

VOVa, where in WA are you? I always suggest that a new shaver try meeting with a senior member before purchasing and especially before attempting to shave.

Before doing anything I think you need to take a step back and ask yourself what is your ultimate goal here? To save money or to get a closer shave/enjoy the hobby? You are talking an awful lot of money for a lot of stuff you may not like and some that you really don't need.

If you don't want to take care of a blade (Strop, touch up etc) and you are just looking for a close shave at a cheaper cost, then I'd highly recommend you get a DE Safety razor to start out with BEFORE you decide if a SR is something you want to take the time to learn (SR or Parker they both have a much higher learning curve then a DE or a cartridge) the DE will give you a few advantages here.

1) NO maint, just replace the blade every few shaves or when it starts to pull
2) It starts you into the habit of a multiple pass shave using gradual beard reduction technique which is the basis of a good SR shave
3) It is cheap to get into (You can find decent DE's on Lynn's site, or Geo's site or even in the classifieds)
4) You can take your time finding a blade you like (and they are CHEAP)


As far as brushes/soaps, I'd go for a cheap boars hair brush and some decent inexpensive cream (Poraso) to get started, you don't need a mug even with soaps, you CAN face or palm lather, and if you REALLY want a mug, take an old coffee cup, works great as a starter. This way you can start with the practice of "Wet Shaving" even with your current cartridge and then slowly accumulate the stuff you want and find which soaps/creams you like/dislike etc.

I know it's tempting to want to get everything at once, but do it slowly and you will make wiser purchases....

Look, Straight razor shaving is NOT for everyone.

If you don't THINK you don't want to strop, then I suggest you forgo the Straight and stick with a DE. Straight razor shaving takes quite a bit of effort, and I don't think you have your heart in it. At least using the DE, and a brush will give you a pretty good shave with just a little effort...

Enjoy...

OK Everyone, thank you so much for the responses. I have wet-shaved before with a cartridge, and I think I will enjoy straight (strop and all) when I have it down. Being the overthinker/cheapskate that I am I priced out all my options and think I found the winner.

Option 1 - $123 +/- a little
-Parker SR1 Shavette
-Dovo 6/8 Full-Hollow
-Whipped Dog Poor Man's Strop (also looked at RupRazer Filly but poor mans seems like a better bargain w/ the balsa and pastes)
-Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set (Soap, Bowl, Brush)

I will also add something like the Prorasso cream to try cream vs. soap. Intent is to go with cold water as a post-shave, I will pick up some bargain brand if need be. Worst case scenario follow up with some nicer stuff if necessary. Read up on size and hollow, opted for the 6/8 as my barber recommended I go for a heavier blade and I will have the shavette if I have any problems maneuvering with the larger blade.

I looked at slightly nicer brush options and even going all Whipped Dog. But I feel like this is a good compromise in price, I think if I decided I hated it and wanted to sell my razor I could probably recoup nearly all of the $40 difference had I bought the sight unseen deal.

Final comments before I order?


*That being said, SRD is all out of the white which I think I would rather get. Though I like the blond ok too, SuperiorShave has the white in stock, but I do not see much mention of them here in regards to their honing. I would rather get a slightly less preferred color for a better/more confident hone!

Originally Posted by Vova

I would rather get a slightly less preferred color for a better/more confident hone!

I'm sure you made the right choice about that. Good luck.

OK Could not wait any longer. Picked up the VGH kit tonight, found it more enjoyable than I recall. That being said I used to just leave the soap in the mug as I lathered (never though to read about it online!) and doing it the proper way tonight was quite nice.

Just placed the amazon portion of the order:

Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Razor and 5 Shark Super Stainless blades $17.88
L'Oreal Paris Men's Expert Comfort Max Anti-Irritation After Shave Balm, SPF 15, 3.3-Fluid Ounce $6.99
Proraso Shaving Cream 5.2 oz (147 g) $11.00
Merkur Double Edge Safety Razor Blades - 10 Count $6.79
Norpro Stainless Steel Grip-EZ Meat Pounder $19.99 (dad's birthday coming up )

That leaves the Dovo and strop. May hold off until I try the parker out, I know I want to try the real deal but on the flip side if I just fall in love with the parker maybe no need to rush into the extra $100 until I get my bonus at the end of the quarter .