Here's what i'll be getting:
from vintage blades llc:
-Dovo 5/8 best quality full hollow razor: $79.99
-Shaving mug with soap: $15.99
-Acrylic drip stand - Large: $7.49
From Whipped Dog:
-poor man's strop kit: $23
-22mm silvertip brush: $26
Total: $152.49
From my research I think this would get me a pretty complete kit, but I wanted to see what you guys thought about this, if you have any suggestions or anything I'm missing please comment.
soap/cream if you havent already ;)
The shaving mug includes a bar of shaving soap, any day idea how much one bar lasts?
srry i cant help you there , ive never used a whole puck of soap cause i keep buying more soaps/creams ... id imagine you will use it faster at first until you learn to make lather properly( i know i did ) ... i know i ate through a tube of Proraso sandalwood like a mad man cause i was using way to much cream , then to much water , then add more cream ... ect ect ...lol
That does seam like a great kit. The only thing that it doesn't include that I would get with the other kit would be the balsa wood with the iron and cromium oxide, are these really necessary?
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.
Have you already bought the kit? If not, I'd dump the drip stand; I know it's only 7 bucks but you don't need one. The razor sounds nice, a 5/8 full hollow is a nice profile.
I never nicked my strop as a beginner, I nicked it more later when I got 'lazy'. I'd actually get a good quality strop. A puck of soap will last a LONG time. I'd also get some cream, maybe Musgo Real, Body Shop Macca Root or something. Most creams are a lot easier to lather than soap, and as a beginner, you may want to eliminate as many variables as possible. What I mean is, you need to limit the number of elements that are 'wrong'.
BTW, pretty much any bowl can be used. I've used a two dollar rice bowl from the Asian markets and it worked really well. I'd save money on the bowl and ensure a really good quality cream.
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. :)
+1 on saving the money on the mug. Mine became a razor holder in short order. Asian market bowls are pretty sweet.
I've never cut a strop. You can put a paste on the secondary strop surface of the back of the leather. I much prefer paste on a hanging strop to balsa, but that may just be my personal preference...Quote:
Originally Posted by rober1217
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?
Your going to cut it. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by rober1217
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chreees
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 :)
What is nos?
Sorry, NOS is New Old Stock, a term that refers to vintage razors that have never been sold and are in original manufacturers condition. Several of the reputable vendors who advertise on this site sell NOS razors, often as part of beginners packages. I'm sure you would not be disappointed if you went that route.Quote:
Originally Posted by rober1217
I see what you mean, but I actually prefer the way my old Wade and Butcher shaves over my newer Dovo. But yeah, definitely can't beat NOS. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RMarsh