Thread: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.