Thread: So I've pieced together a kit for my first wet shaving experience any advice?

Ok, I've updated my kit, have a look and see what you think:

from vintage blades llc:

-Dovo 5/8 best quality full hollow razor: $79.99
-Shaving Cream Bowl - 5.3 oz. - Taylor of Old Bond Street: $13.49
-Captain's Choice Bay Rum Aftershave: $17.99

From Whipped Dog:

-poor man's strop kit: $23
-22mm silvertip brush: $26

Total: $160.47

This is almost the same price as the SRD set, would I be better of getting that one?

Originally Posted by rober1217

And also, how accurate is what they say that everyone cuts their first strop? Cause I don't want to buy a really good one just to end up cutting it up.

Your going to cut it. lol

Not everybody nicks their strop, I know I didn't. My advice would be to buy a good quality strop, and just practice stropping on the linen side until you're comfortable with the flipping motion. You can nick up the canvas without it affecting performance, and spare your leather the abuse. Just my two cents.

Watch this video, as long as you're careful and actually paying attention...I don't think you will nic a strop.
I didn't even understand how one could nick a strop until I asked a Sr. MOD.

In regards to soap...I'd get cream and get used to that first, but that's just me. Soaps seem to be more finicky to get a lather properly, whereas creams seem to be easier. Also with soaps, some are harder and some are softer. I use Proraso Shaving Cream that comes in a tube and absolutely love it. The Proraso Shaving Soap is a softer soap that's supposed to be nice but I've yet to try it. Eventually, you may want a collection of as many soaps and creams as you can find...I know I do! I'm dying to try some DR Harris&CO or some Colonel Ichabod Conk haha

My advice for strop is to get a 3 inch strop...that way you are only focusing on pressure and flip, not a pattern too.

I'm only two months in, but have yet to nick my strop (knock on wood). Take your time and watch the videos here.

Everything else in your kit is ultimately just personal preference. To me, a 3 inch strop was how I chose to learn and was successful. I'm sure there are many others who have used different sizes, styles, etc and also had success.

My first razor was Dovo best quality 6/8. Been a good shaver, but I have nothing to compare it to yet. Decent price, especially for new. There are other good used options on classifieds, through Whipped dog, and other places. Like I said, its personal preference and what fits in your budget.

I'll tell you from experience, I hated the Poor Mans Strop. The balsa warped in short order and the leather strop is a b*tch to hold on to while avoiding raking the blade across a knuckle or two. I think you would do better by getting a good quality strop from the beginning. Star Shaving has some nice strops for a really decent price. Same for brushes. Might give them a look and see what you think.

This is what was recommended to me, I'm ordering one next week!
RupRazor - The Filly

I bought an SRD kit with a dovo razor for a starter kit and would recommend it highly. Plus, as someone mentioned earlier, you get your razor rehoned free with that purchase.

It seems fairly common to nick your first strop. I nicked mine (it's usually done while flipping razor or going too fast), but was way up at the end, so didn't affect stropping surface. But you can buy a replacement piece of leather and just replace it fairly inexpensively with an SRD strop, which is another plus. I liked the fact that everything was from one vendor instead of buying multiple items from different vendors, etc, and having to pay more in shipping costs. Nothing wrong with the stuff you have picked out, though I personally would op for a little higher end strop.

Let us know how your first shave goes.

Regards,

JC

Thank you everyone for your advice, I think I will be buying the SRD kit this week, I'll let you know any updates.

Originally Posted by Chreees

You'd save even more money by just getting everything from WhippedDog. I own one of his sight unseen razors and I really like it. All the other accessories I purchased (poorman's strop, silvertip badger brush and soap, 12K barbers hone) are all very good products. I was 100% satisfied with my purchase, and will be ordering from Larry again in the future. So I'd say if money is an issue, just go with everything from WhippedDog. Plus, a vintage razor is much cooler than a brand new Dovo, IMO.

Definitely agree that vintage blades are cooler, but after 4 vintage eBay finds, I bought a brand new DOVO "Special" just to have a new razor to compare against. Its easier to establish a good baseline with a new one I think, NOS would be best of both worlds