Thread: Newbie Shopping List

The stuff Larry sells are vintage straight razors that may have some cosmetic flaws (Pitting, ugly handles etc) but are fully functional and truly shave ready. I got my first true straight from him and it's still in my rotation today, In fact, I prefer the shave I get from it over my Dovo I got from SRD and my TI that was honed by Lynn)

Please understand this is NOT a knock on SRD etc, they sell QUALITY stuff and anything honed by Lynn will be as sharp and smooth as that particular razor is capable of being (He wrings every last drop of sharpness/smoothness out of the blade....truly masters level work IMHO ) It's just that I find the cheapo WD razor I have to be more comfortable FOR ME (this is one of those YMMV things )

Get the inexpensive WD razor and use it for a few shaves, then if you feel this is for you, get the SRD stuff going forward since you will want a 2nd razor at least so when one is off being re-honed (or you roll the edge on the strop etc ) you have a spare to keep shaving with.


As for the soap, that is also a very personal thing, I would look for soap sampler packs so you can try different things, MWF is my soap of choice these days, but it does take some getting used to to build lather with it. but then again trying all the different scents etc is part of the fun and enjoyment!

Good luck!

IMHO a 2 1/4 inch strop will be harder for you to use. I know it is only a 1/2 inch but go for at least a 2 1/2 inch strop, 3 inches if you can find one. I think this would reduce the chances of you ruining your first strop. Otherwise, good job

Hello superpatriot, welcome to the forum!

I would change the soap and the strop. Get an easier soap to lather and a wider strop. I had MWF ( Mitchell Wool Fat) for over a month and still don't get consistent lather from it.

The only times I have made nicks on the strop was trying to do X patterns. Which you need to do with a 2 1/2" wide strop. I practice on a news paper until I had the flip down. Rolled the news paper in a 3" wide rectangle, hang it around the towel hanger and went to town on it. A note on the strops. There are some strop you can change the leather and keep the hardware. I think SRD strops do that and I know for a fact that the ones from Vintage Blade also do that. For $25.00 I can have my latigo strop leather replaced.

Get the razor you want. I think it will motivate you to keep at it. Also a second razor has prove to be very valuable for me. It let's you have feed back from your stroping, refreshing the edge and honing. By having one always professionally hone to shave ready.

That's my 2 cents. Welcome and good luck. Double O

I also started with Mitchells as my first soap, and it's a winner! Had some issues getting the lather right the first week as well, but once you get the hang of it, it's amazing! Do recommend a few drops of glycerine though, it makes it a little bit more firm..

Edwin Jagger Best Badger Shaving Brush, Imitation Light Horn
My reading says a decent brush is important, but I don't want to go all out until I am experienced. I also would prefer not to have a plastic handle.

Isn't "imitation light horn" the same as "plastic" ?<g>

. . Charles

PS -- I have a Plisson badger brush that's about 20 years old with a plastic handle. It's still working. So I might be biased.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Isn't "imitation light horn" the same as "plastic" ?<g>

. . Charles

PS -- I have a Plisson badger brush that's about 20 years old with a plastic handle. It's still working. So I might be biased.

I did not know, but I was wondering. I thought imitation light horn would be made of wood, but I honestly have no idea. I just wanted something more solid than plastic (personal preference, although I haven't even started yet!). Even if I don't prefer whatever I buy first, I keep hearing it is good to have spare items.