Thread: Clueless and need help!

The absolute most important thing for you, is to buy a truly shave ready razor for your lucky husband. Some online vendors advertise their razors as shave ready, but they are factory honed. There is a difference. Buy one from someone who has honed the razor, and stay away from eBay. As far as the strop, don't go crazy here. He will most likely nick and cut his first strop, so keep that in mind when shopping. The poor mans strop from whippeddog comes to mind here. The mug can be anything. My personal favorite was picked up from a thrift shop for 50 cents. A cheap brush can be purchased from Target for around 10 bucks. I would however suggest a good shave soap from the start. Mitchels Wool Fat, Edwin Jagger, Proraso, and many others are available online, look for a scent that you like! Even if he decides that straight razor shaving isn't his cup of tea, the soap, brush, and mug can be used with any razor.

And, as mentioned, get him on this site when he gets started. This is the most beginner friendly website ever. Everyone here is kind and helpful, and willing to help a newbie get started. We also have a ladies section here, should you ever decide to give wet shaving a shot (straight razor or DE). I can tell you from personal experience that my wife loves a straight razor shave. She hasn't built up the confidence to try it on her own yet, but she loves when I shave her.

I may be too late, but I'll wade in anyway.

THEY may be telling you what THEY would like. If my wife went and got me a new Dovo I'd slap her (just joking, but I would\ be disappointed).

We need to know more about your husband's tastes. Does he like shiny new things, or vintage worn things with history? If he bought furniture or even audio equipment, would it be new or second hand or vintage? Does he like old cars or new ones? I think that makes a HUGE difference, at least for me. New and handmade I like, but not factory stuff. My brother is the opposite, if it's got a teeny weeny tiny scratch or some rub marks it's out the door.

Hi friend, I am fairly new to the straight shaving thing, so I thought I'd tell you what I have, and what I really like. I too was on a bit of a budget, but only to keep my wife happy. I did start with a DE, and I was happy I did. I have a Merkur Progress DE, that I still use on occasion. It's a great razor. As far as my straight, I started with a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 and a 3" Black Latigo Strop, both from Straight Razor Designs. The razor comes "shave ready" which is very important. I did tons of reading here on this site and learned tons. I am really happy with my purchases, and will have these items for a long time.
As far as a good brush goes, check out The Golden Nib site. I bought their Super Silver Tip Badger Knot in 24mm for about $33, and a resign handle for $22. I slapped it together with some 5 minute epoxy, and I have a great brush that I'd hold up against any $200 job. Plus you get to add a touch of your own handy work to his gift...he will be totally impressed! And besides, a 5 year old could put together that brush.
If you have any questions feel free to send me a message, you know, from one newb to another!
P.S. Yes, get the CD!

I would go with the start up kit from Straight Razor Designs. You get everything to start your journey into the world of straight razor shaving. If he enjoys it as much as the rest of us it won't be the only razor, strop, soap, mug,or brush he will come to own. If you do order it I would get a scented soap upgrade instead of the unscented. My favorite is the vanilla bourbon. A bottle of Clubman original aftershave might be nice too. He will be so excited about his gift.

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Agreed...you get brand new everything at a reasonable price...and most importantly its guaranteed shave ready so as to give hubby a great start into this wonderful world of ours without any hassle of is it sharp enough or is this the proper stuff
And might I add...youre a damn fine woman! lol

Awww thank you

Originally Posted by robellison01

The absolute most important thing for you, is to buy a truly shave ready razor for your lucky husband. Some online vendors advertise their razors as shave ready, but they are factory honed. There is a difference. Buy one from someone who has honed the razor, and stay away from eBay. As far as the strop, don't go crazy here. He will most likely nick and cut his first strop, so keep that in mind when shopping. The poor mans strop from whippeddog comes to mind here. The mug can be anything. My personal favorite was picked up from a thrift shop for 50 cents. A cheap brush can be purchased from Target for around 10 bucks. I would however suggest a good shave soap from the start. Mitchels Wool Fat, Edwin Jagger, Proraso, and many others are available online, look for a scent that you like! Even if he decides that straight razor shaving isn't his cup of tea, the soap, brush, and mug can be used with any razor.

And, as mentioned, get him on this site when he gets started. This is the most beginner friendly website ever. Everyone here is kind and helpful, and willing to help a newbie get started. We also have a ladies section here, should you ever decide to give wet shaving a shot (straight razor or DE). I can tell you from personal experience that my wife loves a straight razor shave. She hasn't built up the confidence to try it on her own yet, but she loves when I shave her.

I will definitely tell him about this site after I give him his razor. You guys have been very helpful.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I may be too late, but I'll wade in anyway.

THEY may be telling you what THEY would like. If my wife went and got me a new Dovo I'd slap her (just joking, but I would\ be disappointed).

We need to know more about your husband's tastes. Does he like shiny new things, or vintage worn things with history? If he bought furniture or even audio equipment, would it be new or second hand or vintage? Does he like old cars or new ones? I think that makes a HUGE difference, at least for me. New and handmade I like, but not factory stuff. My brother is the opposite, if it's got a teeny weeny tiny scratch or some rub marks it's out the door.

I think to him quality is the most important thing of all. He is not in to vintage per se, just quality. I wish I had the funds to get him something super nice right off the bat but its not feasible right now. He does have sensitive skin when he shaves if that makes a difference.

Originally Posted by RNMike

Hi friend, I am fairly new to the straight shaving thing, so I thought I'd tell you what I have, and what I really like. I too was on a bit of a budget, but only to keep my wife happy. I did start with a DE, and I was happy I did. I have a Merkur Progress DE, that I still use on occasion. It's a great razor. As far as my straight, I started with a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 and a 3" Black Latigo Strop, both from Straight Razor Designs. The razor comes "shave ready" which is very important. I did tons of reading here on this site and learned tons. I am really happy with my purchases, and will have these items for a long time.
As far as a good brush goes, check out The Golden Nib site. I bought their Super Silver Tip Badger Knot in 24mm for about $33, and a resign handle for $22. I slapped it together with some 5 minute epoxy, and I have a great brush that I'd hold up against any $200 job. Plus you get to add a touch of your own handy work to his gift...he will be totally impressed! And besides, a 5 year old could put together that brush.
If you have any questions feel free to send me a message, you know, from one newb to another!
P.S. Yes, get the CD!

Thank you very much for your advice

Hi i have also just started out using stright razor and I brought one of the starter kits from dovo contains all you need and the set I got cost me £123 and believe this was a good buy would also recommend your husband start reading the ufo contained on this forum as it will help him as it has helped me