Thread: newbie with some money to speeeeend!

I always see people telling new folks to go cheap... IMO I think that's a good option only if you are on a budget. There is a good chance that if you are careful with your stuff, no serious damage will be done. If you don't like it, you can sell it on the classifieds and get most of your money back out of it...if you do like it, you have a blade you will always want to keep.

Now, that being said, strops are a different deal because invariably all new folks will at LEAST nick a strop once. Honestly, for you, I would recommend the SRD modular paddle strop. Paddle strops are always useful to have around, it being a paddle...it takes the tautness learning curve out of things for now, it's a good value and it's good looking. Plus, if you nick a pad, you can get a replacement fairly inexpensively. Plus, with the rough leather, felt pad, crox, etc...you'll have everything you need to keep your razor going for a good while.

Main reason I decided to chime in is I've dealt with enough photographers/cinematographers to know if something isn't aesthetically pleasing, they will enjoy it less...so I highly recommend against the cheap set-up route for you.

+1 for whipped dog Larry does a good job and get the kit with the poor mans strop but you can buy the nicer strop as well. You'll want the poor mans for a little while when you're working on your technique. You will most likely put some nicks into it and wouldn't want to ruin a nice strop. Once you get started you can use that extra cash to really start building a collection of stuff.

Nice to see there's another photographer on the forum!

It looks like you got a lot of advice. I'm just going to say welcome.

How good that I haven't such big budget when I start Otherwise, I could die from the abundance of choice

Originally Posted by Bonbon

How good that I haven't such big budget when I start Otherwise, I could die from the abundance of choice

I hear ya. I forced myself into a slim budget and set some ground rules for upgrading. I am still waiting to fulfill my 2 month rule on the strop to buy a nice new one and some other gear I have had researched and lined up for a couple months. Its nice to engage self rules, they force you to think more about future purchases.

If I had a bigger initial budget, and no confirmed future big checks. I would probably have gotten 2 razors, and went with the SRD & bought the replacement strop at the same time. Probably a few more soaps, and an rbecker scuttle off the rip. Then slowly played with things over the time. but as it is, I have the smaller yet steady income of the 8-5 job.

when you have plenty of money, buy al three.

Originally Posted by ryanjewell

I always see people telling new folks to go cheap... IMO I think that's a good option only if you are on a budget.

You can get really cheap and cheerful vintage razors from the classifieds. If you don't like it you can sell it again. If you look well after your vintage razor you can sell it without a loss. If you buy a new one you will lose money when selling it second hand. If you prefer to buy new: DOVO has fairly cheap razors that are just as good as their more expensive ones.

Holy helpful forum! I dont believe i have ever had that kind of response an ANY other online community

Ok so after some major hand tying I decided against that Otto blade(perhaps if it is still for sale. I will for sure go with the Eugen Hoppe but I would like a second blade so let me know if the next few would be good for beginners...

first
***REDUCED***Hall & Fielding Sheffield - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
second
7/8 Jacques Le Coultre "Replaceable blade"Frameback featuring the original horn scales - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
third
13/16 Herder - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
fourth
RARE - EIRENE #77 - Solingen - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
fifth
Brookes & Crookes, Sheffield, England. - Straight Razor Place Classifieds


I needed a shave so I went to walmart(yeah I know... but I needed a shave and that was the only place I could go!) and grabbed a wet shave setup(cheap brush/bowl/soap) so I have that at least. I will prolly get one of those stropping sets from whipped dog and maybe DE or SE safety razor from somewhere to fill in while I am learning the art.

I am not really worried about being scared away from this art because of cuts or that sort of thing. I just want something I can learn on without having to plug up a bunch of holes after each pass haha. So yeah any input on those other choices would be swell

Thanks again all, I have learned a lot about shaving since checking out the straight razor crowd

@Cavere
Yo what kinda photography do you do? Do you have a website? I do mostly fine art landscape and am getting into portrait stuff big time in the last year or so Check out my stuff at Zenfolio | Steve Brandt Photography

BTW when it comes to fancy blades I am really attracted to Damascus steel or Mokume Gane looking stuff... Anyone know a place that sells that style of blade for reasonable? Or at all?

Poorman's strop is good.
The paddle version is easier to use, but I feel that there are slight warp in the paddle (perhaps due to the adhesive behind the leather?). Does not degrade performance, however.

Also, do not underestimate the power of balsa wood + 0.1 micron iron oxide + oil.
There is some kind of magic in that stuff.

Originally Posted by xuz

Poorman's strop is good.
The paddle version is easier to use, but I feel that there are slight warp in the paddle (perhaps due to the adhesive behind the leather?). Does not degrade performance, however.

Also, do not underestimate the power of balsa wood + 0.1 micron iron oxide + oil.
There is some kind of magic in that stuff.

Thanks! I will definitely add that to my purchases!