Thread: Everything but the razor.

Wow! This guy is talking himself out of a sale.

So the guy with the bocote handled "silvertip badger" shaving brush? Well, I sent him a message saying that I'm looking for a new brush, and I like his work, but he should check his supplier. I'm fair certain that's not true Silvertip Badger, then requested a price check on a bocote without knot.

Well, here's his response:
"Hi there, I got a bunch if knots from my old man as a gift. It's been a good while since he bought them, and the vendor he used to buy them from doesn't exist anymore. I posted silver tip and not silvertip badger hair because they are incredibly different. I don't know exactly what creature they come from, but they're not synthetic as far as I can tell. I can make you a pure silvertip badger cocobolo brush like you mentioned, but i will have to charge $75 dollars plus $6.00 shipping and handling. We get our silvertip badger hair from Penn state industries.

And if not i can just make you a handle and you could put the knot on yourself to keep the cost down. For just the handle I would only charge $30.00 plus $6.00 for shipping and handling.

Would you like to place an order? "

AND! Here's a quote from the listing:
"Silvertip hair is considered to be one of the best when it comes to shaving brush knots. This is the only type of badger hair I use in my brushes. This particular brush is the 24mm Silvertip Badger hair."

Also, he's charging more for a brush with no knot? I'll just make my own, thanks.

After talking a bit more with the guy, and I couldn't help it, I really like his handles. I've decided to buy one of his large handles for 30, and buy a knot from golden nib. Overall, with shipping, it'll come to like $60, and I'll get a handle I really like, so I'm considering this one a win.

So that leaves a strop and soap/bowl

Welcome to SRP. The guys have given you sage advice. If you have not done so already, sign up for the Monthly give-away in the Beginners' section. You never know, you could end up with some more "new" gear.

If it weren't for that sage advice, I'd probably be the proud owner of a "Silvertip" brush. I'm glad I sought help, and thanks to everyone's input. I might not be following your advice to the letter, but trust me, it's sunk in.

Also, I just signed up for the give-away today. Fingers crossed but I'm not going to put any weight on it, when the 15th comes, I still need to shave.

So a question: Aside from putting long term wear on a single blade, what's the benefit of having a rotation? Do I need to focus on having 7 razors?

I plan on getting a few different sizes and shapes, but if I find one that stands above the rest, is there any reason not to put the rest up on the classifieds?

Razor's on it's way!
I took a step and picked up a RupRazor "filly" strop, figured I can spend a couple months butchering it and then pick up a nice one. 22 bucks for a cheap strop with free shipping? Deal.
The guy with the brush handles had a few made just sitting in his shop, and he sent me a picture of what he had so far so I could pick one out, which I have. That should be paid for and pending shipment later today, so now I need a knot.

And onward now to pick out a soap. I've decided to hold off on a custom wooden bowl, so I'll probably just pick up tabac with a bowl. I'll let you know what I decide on.