New Guy with Questions

Hello everyone, this is my first post so forgive me if I ask questions without searching the site. I've never shaved with a straightedge razor and I have a few questions as a beginner.

1. I would really like to find a brick and mortar store local to me in northern New Jersey (Essex, Passaic, Morris, Union or Bergen County's). Anyone know of a really good store with a nice selection of razors?

2. I'm really not sure if straightedge razor shaving is for me or not, so I don't want to go out and spend a few hundred dollars on a decent razor and let it sit in my dresser draw for the rest of its life. Tell me why I shouldn't spend no more then $50 on my first razor.

3. Besides the straightedge razor, what else do I need to get started? Please keep in mind (if at all possible) that I would like to keep everything (including the razor) under $100. I can always get deep into this if this method of shaving is for me.

4. Is there a site that members on this forum use to buy and or send the razor out to be sharpened?

Once I buy my razor, I'll start hitting the forum up for information on how to use the razor.

Thanks Guys.

For the reasons you have stated i would suggest going to whippeddog.com and getting larys poor mans kit. it will come with a shave ready razor strop and balsa pasted strop for around 70 bucks. you can email or call him he will answer every question. super nice guy, he will set you up right without breaking the bank, he is also a member here as well.

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Originally Posted by tiddle

For the reasons you have stated i would suggest going to whippeddog.com and getting larys poor mans kit. it will come with a shave ready razor strop and balsa pasted strop for around 70 bucks. you can email or call him he will answer every question. super nice guy, he will set you up right without breaking the bank, he is also a member here as well.

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I second this. I have bought several razors from him and all are great shavers and don't break the bank!

Thank you for the link. I'll look into the "$47 - Straight razor with cosmetic, non-shaving flaws and Poor Man strop kit" to get started.

I'm originally from Northern New Jersey, but couldn't tell you if there are any brick and mortar stores near you, I would think the City for sure. I'd check the net. Art of Shaving has stores.

Another option would be the classifieds on this forum. You can find good deals on razors and the like. You can find razor honing there as well under member services.

At bear minimum you'll need a straight razor, a plain (unpasted) leather strop for daily stropping and some soap or shave cream and a brush.
On the cheap, you can get a brush and some Williams or Van der Hagen at Wal Mart.

The reason I would want to visit a store would be that I would want to feel the fit and finish of the razor as well as how it feels in my hand before spending my hard earned money on it. I'm only 20 minutes from Manhattan and wouldn't mind taking a visit there if someone knows a nice store there.

I also don't mind ordering my first razor on the net for $50 because the price isn't steep at all and if I don't like shaving this way, I wouldn't have lost much money.

If you look at the bottom of the whipped dog sight unseen deal page. It states that refunds are available for the razor. Email Larry for details.

On budget equipment:
A leather belt or newspaper can be used as a strop. Almost any bowl or coffee mug will do to hold a puck of soap. Add arko to the list of cheap but quality soaps, but if you have leftover canned shave foam it will work just no where as well as a good soap or cream. You should consider the vdh starter kit that can be found at many stores. It runs about $10 and comes with a puck of soap, a bowl, and a boar brush.

Jonathan

Jonathan, thanks for that info. I think once I order the razor, I'll hit Target for the starter kit.

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Originally Posted by Badbul

The reason I would want to visit a store would be that I would want to feel the fit and finish of the razor as well as how it feels in my hand before spending my hard earned money on it. I'm only 20 minutes from Manhattan and wouldn't mind taking a visit there if someone knows a nice store there.

I also don't mind ordering my first razor on the net for $50 because the price isn't steep at all and if I don't like shaving this way, I wouldn't have lost much money.

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Try the Pasteur Pharmacy, in midtown Manhattan. I know they have DE's, and I think they have straight razors as well. i don't know if their straights are "shave-ready" (that is, hand-honed in the shop) or not.

The danger with a $50 razor is that it might shave badly, and put you off straight-razor shaving. The razors from Whipped Dog will be OK, and inexpensive razors here in the "classified" section are also safe to buy.

Just because a razor is shiny, and feels good in your hand, doesn't mean it will shave well. Good _new_ razors start with the Dovo "Best Quality", around $70 - $80.

. Charles

PS -- it really is better to read the Wiki first, and then buy something. You avoid mistakes (and I'm speaking from experience!).

So do you really think a $50 razor won't shave well?

I would just hate to spend $200 and find out I would rather use my Gillette Proglide.

Any razor with good geometry, steel, and temper can be made to shave. I have several vintage razors from $5 to $40 all shave well, after honing. Before honing most were no better than the average knife. A new shave ready razor will run from the Dovo best quality $$ to very high end custom razors $$$$. Vintage shave ready razors run from whipped dog razors and SRP's Classifieds $$ to restored and honed vintage razors $$$ available on several vendor sites. Mint collectable razors can really take a huge chunk out of your wallet.

The biggest trouble is finding a budget razor that has been honed by a pro. Most any of the razors sold by one of the srp vendors or members will be truly shave ready. If you get a razor from somewhere else ask lots of questions. The best question is does the person who honed this razor shave with a straight he/she honed daily? Check the wiki for other good questions.

Jonathan

Hi-
Besides Pasteur you can try Cambridge pharmacy also in midtown, I believe they may have straights. As well art of shaving has a spot in the city I believe.
Tony

Cambridge Pharmacy does have some nice shaving products, but they're very expensive. First try Pasteur. They're almost across the street.

Pasteurs has two locations, I know the 34th St. (between Madison & Park) location has Dovo straight razors but I'm pretty sure you'd have to send it out to be honed. That's a more expensive razor and you'd have to add the expense of honing, so you're most likely better off ordering from one of the already suggested sources. Pasteurs is a good place for the other things you'll need. You can get an Omega boar brush cheaply. They have the "mighty midget" for 3.95, they have several of the Omega Professional series, they're somewhere around $10 and the Omega 11047 is a boar/badger mix and is only $12.49. Also the Semogue boar brushes are very popular but a little more expensive. They have a tremendous selection of soaps, you could try the Palmolive or Arko sticks, they're both cheap and good.

Larry (he is a member here)at whippeddog is great guy, I don't think you can go wrong with one of his deals. However, if the phrase "Sight Unseen" makes you nervous, then you may want to check in with some of the other vendors, ie Glen aka Gssixgun at Gemstar customs. Let us know which route you decide to go.

For the most part, honing seems pretty cheap. I've seen on this site in "Member Services," that it ranges from $15 to $30. How long should the blade last before honing is needed again. I have a thick beard with a 5 o'clock shadow. I'll shave in the morning and my boss will ask me by the end of the day "did you shave this morning?"...

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Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Larry (he is a member here)at whippeddog is great guy, I don't think you can go wrong with one of his deals. However, if the phrase "Sight Unseen" makes you nervous, then you may want to check in with some of the other vendors, ie Glen aka Gssixgun at Gemstar customs. Let us know which route you decide to go.

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I don't have a problem with buying the razor "sight unseen" and on the net, because I'm only buying it to test the razor to get into straight razor shaving. I wouldn't care if the razor was pink with a Disney Princess on it. As long as it shaves well. and I can get use to this type of razor.

If I like shaving with a straight razor, then I would only buy my second razor in a brick and mortar store in person.

Here is the pre made answer to "how long...?"

Jonathan

I'll give a full report tomorrow night. I'm making a foray into the city to Pasteur, Cambridge, and the Art of Shaving...then finishing off the night at Les Halles for dinner with the wife! While she's Christmas shopping...I get to go..."me" shopping! LOL

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Originally Posted by icefalkon

I'll give a full report tomorrow night. I'm making a foray into the city to Pasteur, Cambridge, and the Art of Shaving...then finishing off the night at Les Halles for dinner with the wife! While she's Christmas shopping...I get to go..."me" shopping! LOL

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Make sure you get the frites. Better yet the moules frites. You can get the frites by themselves if you don't like mussels though.

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Originally Posted by ccase39

Make sure you get the frites. Better yet the moules frites. You can get the frites by themselves if you don't like mussels though.

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Absolutely. This Les Halles has some of the best mussels in the city. Without a doubt. We love this place. The "meat platter", onion soup, mussels and frites...mmm...that's a happy Stevie if I do say so myself! LOL

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Originally Posted by Badbul

For the most part, honing seems pretty cheap. I've seen on this site in "Member Services," that it ranges from $15 to $30. How long should the blade last before honing is needed again. I have a thick beard with a 5 o'clock shadow. I'll shave in the morning and my boss will ask me by the end of the day "did you shave this morning?"...

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You will pretty much have to plan on continuing to use your current shaving method to complete your shaves for work for at least a while. Getting a good close shave with a straight will take some time. Read the sticky about first shaves at the beginning of this forum section. It's recommended that you start slowly and try only a portion of your face when starting out. It's good advice. Different people have different results. Some progress quickly, for others it takes longer.

I would also recommend whippeddog.com I also bought my first set from him, and have really enjoyed the experience. As for accessories, I went to Amazon and found a set-up with bowl, lather, brush, and stand for ~$30. With that set-up and my package from Larry, I only spent about $80. Later I bought some witch hazel aftershave and a styptic pencil, but all those things come when you're ready for them. Enjoy! Welcome to the fold! : )

Well, I went to The Art of Shaving, Paseur Pharmacy, and Cambridge Chemists on Saturday. This is my impression of them...

The Art of Shaving - Ridiculously expensive. For instance...a $35 - $55 Silvertip Shaving Brush there costs $99, everything else pretty much stayed within that margin of expense. Almost double what you would pay elsewhere.

Cambridge Chemists - Not much at all now. They said they haven't ordered any shaving products since before Hurricane Sandy as they have less and less customers asking about the stuff. Prices were about average of what you'll find online. They do carry Trumpers Skin Food and had two nice Trumpers Shaving Mugs...but other than that..a lot of dust on their shaving products.

Pasteur Pharmacy - Go to this place. WOW. Not only do they have an entire wall up front with every type of brush imaginable...from $3.99 - $100+...as well as the whole line of Merkur DE Razors and some Dovo Str8's under the counter. The real pull for this place this their entire row of shaving products..everything from England, Germany, Finland, Italy, Spain, a few Japan, etc...really cool stuff there with a lot of testers to check out the smells and feel before buying. This is my go to place from here on. The owner is a really nice guy as well.

That's all. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

It looks like my trip to the city will include a trip to Pasteur Pharmacy. thanks for the info...

Also, what location did you visit?

34th street

Lexington

I'd recommend whippeddog.com for your starter razor and strop.

As far as brush and soap, Pasteur sounds like a pretty awesome place. Even if you decide the straight isn't for you, a brush and soap works with anything :)

Then there's the DE option too.

Check out the wiki first, there so many options.

I went to the Lex and 62nd St store. I also love this guy...

Shave Nation - Shaving Supplies

this is the website for Geo Fatboy who has all the shaving videos on YouTube. He has good prices and great service. I got my Ikon OSS DE from him.