Newb Trying To Take It All In...Where To Start??

PMFJI --

Your best bet for "one-stop shopping" is Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

The "Whipped Dog" "sight-unseen" deal (including the Poor Man's strop kit and shaving brush) is very good for low-budget, first-time straight razor users.

You could buy a used vintage razor from the "Classified" section on this website for $40 (and up), and get a strop / brush / shaving soap separately. You'd spend just as much money (or more), and have to deal with several vendors.

Think of this as an _experiment_, not a commitment. If you like it, and have the cash, you can "upgrade" equipment, one piece at a time.

Another question:

. . . Where are you ?

There might be somebody local who can give you a hand.

. Charles

Columbus Ohio

I will probably shoot whipped dog an email. thanks again guys

There's a bit of a wait on Whippeddog razors at the minute

Yea I got an email back from them. Found a package deal at one of the sponsors for under $200. It included a Dovo, 3 in strop, brush, stand, mug, and soap. Going to do some more research on techniques but this may be the way ago. Still a little confused on stropping, I've watched a video on here, but the gentleman was using a board strop. That seems like it might be easier for a beginner? How or what do you attach leather strops too? Thanks guys

As a fellow noob, I thought I'd share my recent week with you, as it seems your only a few days behind me on getting started. +1 For Whipped dog.

I recently ordered the poor man strop kit, a brush handle, and soap sampler pack, (Total price for all that was less than $50). Through correspondence with whom I assume is his wife Megan, I learned that a family emergency has Larry indisposed at the moment, but I've plans for a "sight unseen" once Larry is back to it.

It just felt wrong to add to Larry's razor queue with the family emergency, so I ended up getting a razor off the classifieds here for around $50. Then over to "The golden nib" for a "finest" badger knot that I'll assemble into the handle from Larry.

So…for basically right around $130 plus a bit of shipping, I've been able to pick and choose some "quality", (to me IMHO), gear to get started with. I have no experience to speak from, but it's a common consensus here that your first strop will be trashed during the stropping learning curve. Just a few things to keep in mind as you build your kit.

Like I mentioned, I have no experience as of yet myself other than gathering the gear… but I've learned a lot just from researching, and feel like I've gotten off to a good start with my choices so far. But there's a thousand ways to skin a cat… Just thought I'd share my experience of getting off the ground with you. I wish you the best of luck, and most of all… patience! It can be tough at first to hold off on the fancy expensive gear, especially with e-bay razors winking at you, and all the expensive beautiful kits offered all over the web. Just ask yourself, "What do I NEED?", and try to balance that with "What do I want?".

In retrospect, I probably spent more on my brush than any other part of the kit, because I knew I wanted a nice one. It's not "top of the line", but it's what I wanted. In the end, it's all about what makes you happy, and what gets it done. Good luck sir, and sorry for the novel.

Made my order with straight razor designs. They are in Ohio and not too far from me, just don't want to drive 2+ hours in this weather. Should be here by Friday though and I can give it a shot this weekend. Thanks for the help and I'm sure ill be back with more questions.

Cool congratulations on your purchase!!! If I may ask which one did you chose? PM if you don't want it to be public knowledge. What does your coworkers think of your new shaving method or have you told them?

Just a Dovo 6/8 SR with 3 in strop. Nothing fancy but seems like it will get the job done. Been doing a lot of research on DE razors too. When it's all said and done though, all I want is a nice close shave with little to no irritation. Don't think I've EVER shaved and had no irritation!

You'll like it, you just have to find the right angles for your face and hair growth, and when we say no pressure we mean NO PRESSURE! All you are doing is light short "strokes", the weight of the 6/8 will be enough to go through the whiskers w/ Lynn's edges.