Thread: Worth it for a beardo? Suggestions?

I'm a 25yo dude who loves nothing more than visiting the barber to get a nice straight razor to my neck, burns, and around the ears.

I have been looking into getting a straight razor for home but have some concerns.

It looks like getting started with a quality setup would be around $200-250! I was expecting like $30.

Anyway, I do have a light beard which leaves me only needing to shave my neck and higher up on my cheeks. I think a straight razor would be great for clean lines. Should I stick to a cheaper razor since I don't have to shave much?

Ultimately, I love the idea of shaving with a lethal weapon and this zen-like concentration required by a straight razor. I like style and class and would like a decent looking setup. Any chance I can do this with out breaking the bank? Could I piece together a set as I get acclimated? Considering I shave less surface area, it looks like I could get away without honing (is that even proper use) for a couple months.

Any recommendations on how you would approach getting started in my shoes?

Cheers and thanks in advance gentlemen!

Checkout Straight Razor Design if you
are looking for a new Shave Ready razor.

You will also need a strop - they have
these as well.

For a vintage Shave Ready razor
checkout the classified section
of this forum.

Also just sit back and read this forum...
lots of great advise...and ask questions.

Terry

The only thing separating
the least expensive Dovo
from the most expensive
is the scale material and
gold wash on the blade.

Also the size...a 6/8 being
a little more expensive than
a 5/8.

But no real reason that the
Dovo best quality won't give
you an excellent shave and
a life time of service...IMO

Terry

Originally Posted by beardo7

I'm a 25yo dude who loves nothing more than visiting the barber to get a nice straight razor to my neck, burns, and around the ears.

I have been looking into getting a straight razor for home but have some concerns.

It looks like getting started with a quality setup would be around $200-250! I was expecting like $30.

Anyway, I do have a light beard which leaves me only needing to shave my neck and higher up on my cheeks. I think a straight razor would be great for clean lines. Should I stick to a cheaper razor since I don't have to shave much?

Ultimately, I love the idea of shaving with a lethal weapon and this zen-like concentration required by a straight razor. I like style and class and would like a decent looking setup. Any chance I can do this with out breaking the bank? Could I piece together a set as I get acclimated? Considering I shave less surface area, it looks like I could get away without honing (is that even proper use) for a couple months.

Any recommendations on how you would approach getting started in my shoes?

Cheers and thanks in advance gentlemen!

You stick to a cheap (disposable?) razor if you want. By the time you're a grumpy old man it won't have worked out so cheaply after all, but it is what you think it is, especially if you don't know any better.

Depends on what the bank holds and what you want. Have a look in the classifieds here. It may be your best best for lower price and looks. A whipped dog sight unseen deal would be cheaper, but you won't get pretty. Whereas you might find 'pretty enough' in the classifieds.

All you need is a Razor, Strop, Shave Brush and Soap/Cream. Anything else is an optional extra. A strop and brush can be partly or wholly constructed by yourself if you have the requisite skill, equipment and time and will work out much cheaper if you can do it that way.


My first recommendation to myself would be to make a decision one way or the other if I wanted to try this way of shaving.

My second recommendation to myself would be to decide what my budget is at both ends of the spectrum.

I would then take it from there. If my decidsion was to make no changes, life would go one and I would have missed out on learning a fine art and skill.
If my decision was to try it, then I would recommend to myself to learn as much about it before spending any money. Research, research, research. Then and only then would I start to look around at what to buy, secure in the knowledge that I have asked all the questions I can think of, and secured all the answers I to other questions I never thought to ask by applying myself to research to start with.
There comes a time when theory needs to be put into practice. Next question!


Mick

I don't mean to disagree with Mick, but to me, I had to just pick a point and jump in. With all the information out there, it can be easy to get bogged down in the details. It was for me at least. Just take a look at the getting started section to look at shaving angles, grips, and different types of strokes to get a solid foundation. Once you have that, it is time to get started. I agree with Mick that you will never be able to learn it all just by reading, you will need to get hands on experience. It won't be easy, but I can tell you first hand that it is rewarding. I am 25 as well, and while this community is getting larger, there still aren't that many of us straight razor users out there. I feel privileged to be able to continue the tradition.

I grow a beard during the winter, and I have been able to use the same razor since November (minus a couple test shaves with two razors I bought), so you shouldn't have much of an issue there, especially if you use a pasted strop to help maintain the edge. However, be aware that the neck can be a tricky area to shave completely smooth without irritation. That took me awhile to get the hang of, but you might be a faster learner than I.

A big +1 to the sight unseen deal from Larry at Whipped Dog. This is what I started with. It might not be pretty, but you can rest assured that the edge will be shave ready. It might seem a little expensive, but with the poor main strop kit option, you will have a set that you can confidently learn the basics with (but if you end up liking it, I bet you'll end up buying more stuff - this can become very addicting!). Then you can always add to your kit, finding out what you like and don't like.

To boil it down, learn the basics, then get a kit with what Mick mentioned above and get started.

All that said, in my opinion, it is completely worth all the time and money spent. While it is not for everyone, I think you'd enjoy it.

Thanks for dis-agreeing with me Primo. Yours is just as valid a point of view as mine. For what it's worth I got my first cut-throat when I was 26 and well before this site was invented. Information for me was the otherside of nil, so I just ended up struggling through and figuring things out for myself. I wished I never had to go through it like that when it could bave been so much easier.
In the days when the skill was taught father to son, we wouldn't need to have sites like this. Sites like this are an absolute blessing in todays world with it's loss of old skilld and broken families etc.


Mick

Go for it.

I agree with what others have said about the sight unseen deal. I have one of larrys blades i would happily send you if you'd cover shipping. It isn't freshly honed however, so you would want to send it to Lynn or Obie or another honing guru to get it ready to roll. And, you'll need a strop.

The simple truth is this: Will you save money... Yes, but only in the long run! Will your shave turn from a monotonous task to something you enjoy? Absolutely! That is why I like it! I now look forward to shaving and enjoy the hands on nature of keeping the razor shaving well!

Guys- really appreciate all the input.

Primo- I really like the idea of getting a decent foundation for the knowledge and just jumping in and learning from trial and error. I feel like it's much easier to learn and ask questions while physically trying it.

Phoeb- Really interested in taking you up on that offer for the razor. Sent you a PM. Sounds like it might be similar in cost to just get the poor man's kit from Whipped Dog for $55 or so. I figure I can upgrade to a nicer strop and other pieces as I develop the skill or ultimately decide if this is something I want to get into.

Is it difficult to hone?

I am also concerned about neck irritation. I currently use a Mac 5 or whatever. I basically change the blade about once a year and I shave with and against the grain with no irritation. I also only shave once or twice a week. I plan on shaving daily or every other if I start straight razoring though. Again, in case you missed it, I have a beard so it doesn't look TERRIBLE if I got a couple days or week without shaving (though it still looks sloppy and shitty and something I would love to change.

Cheers guys.