Thread: If I could tell a beginner/thoughts on SR from a beginner's perspective

Me too man. I honestly got into sr shaving because it takes us away from the hustle of everyday life and is a skill that you work for. It may not sound so cool to non sr shavers, but when you get that first perfect shave, or feel your razor cutting hairs like butter because YOU worked for it and put the time in.. It's ridiculously satisfying.

We all remember our first car, and most of us regret selling it when we did. And I would bet that a lot of us would love to find one just like it again someday. My razor is kinda like that. It's nice and cost me a fortune so I understand wanting to keep it nice, but I also want to pick it up in 20 years and have that old friend feeling and shared past. And maybe one day it'll pass to someone else and they pick up some of that too.

I cannot agree with you more, gentlemen! I agree 100%!

Great posts and as a new-comer myself I thought I'd wage in on something that hadn't been talked about yet.

I'm from the other side of the tracks. I started with a cheap shavette-style razor and was amazed after my first shave, I now have a cheap Gold Dollar honed by a local pro also.Shaving has always been a mere chore for me in the past. With extra-sensitive skin, I could never shave 2 days in a row, I also had tried many face-products for men and thought it was all rubbish. Only ever made my skin oily and more irritated.

Since I've been on SRP and using my shavette the biggest advancement for me has not been in the act of shaving, but learning about skincare, which sounds totally odd to me.Using products as simple as the humble Witch hazel has changed my skin from a hyper-senstive area, to maybe just sensitive, which is a massive jump if you've ever been there. Using a nice moisturiser (Currently using Bulldog original) and of course, none of the shave gel and bogus aftershave.

I've not got a little arsenal of soaps now from a stick of Palmolive (Which is the least lavish of my lot), a pot from Crabtree & Evelyn and have just recieved my first stick of Arko, which is brilliant! Worth the wait from Turkey, Absolutely.

I also went cheap on the brush, I got a $7 'Davinci' nylon bristle brush from Coles, figuring if I'm going to ditch it, I better not over-invest but all I was doing was getting a pretty crappy insight into SR shaving. I now have a silvertip Haryali brush which is suffice but worlds above the Davinci, their razors are trash however, as well as some nice wash cloths for wiping my face - much forgotten item!

My tip would be - Get into it how you can, but make a plan and recognise after reading and researching what your strategy is. I own a hot hatch, have over $15k in photography equipment (the other hobby) as well as saving for our first house, so I know that SR gear isn't something I should be throwing $400 nor could afford, but now I've been here a little while, I know how I'll progress. I recoginise that my equipment is below par, but if the shave is good and getting better with my stropping advancement, I know with a decent razor, better strop and loads more hands-on experience, it'll be the best thing I've ever done for my face.

Just to reiterate, don't forget the products - no matter how much your wife teases you for 'getting into skin-care'. The mornings I wake up without painful pimples on my face and neck are worth any harmless digging she likes to add in. Also to add on the shavette vs straight, a new razor in a shavette will always feel sharper than a sharp straight, they're different steels as well as you strop one, and not other (read: possible stuff one edge and don't touch the other).

Originally Posted by NickB

My tip would be - Get into it how you can, but make a plan and recognise after reading and researching what your strategy is. I own a hot hatch, have over $15k in photography equipment (the other hobby) as well as saving for our first house, so I know that SR gear isn't something I should be throwing $400 nor could afford, but now I've been here a little while, I know how I'll progress. I recoginise that my equipment is below par, but if the shave is good and getting better with my stropping advancement, I know with a decent razor, better strop and loads more hands-on experience, it'll be the best thing I've ever done for my face.

This.

Definitely get in however you can... I started with a shavette, the same as you, and a Van Der Hagen luxury set I found at my local Walgreens because it was inexpensive to start (plus I was going back and forth on SE or DE shaving and could use the blades for either). I actually started with the shavette over the DE razor, and was hooked. I've used the DE razor maybe twice to touch up and once in the shower when running late, so it's not a total waste, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the process and relaxing ritual of SE shaving and I feel it gives a better shave overall.

Originally Posted by NickB

Just to reiterate, don't forget the products - no matter how much your wife teases you for 'getting into skin-care'.

I dunno... seems like there's a joke in here somewhere about self medicating??

Dunno, I would venture to say that for most people spending $400 on a dull razor, strop, a bit of shaving cream and aftershave, another 200 on hones, and few weeks learning to hone a razor is not a good start.

I submit that the most important thing is to do your homework first, not after an impulsive purchase.

Everybody is different. To some people getting all set up with a great vintage kit for around $100-$150 is perfect, for others getting a brand new set with a razor properly sharpened by Lynn is optimal, to others a high end custom with damascus blade and scales made of exotic materials is what is appropriate as a first razor.
To feel accomplished some need to start with a piece of steel bar, a grinder, and a kiln, others with a billet and a hammer...

The only common thing is that doing your homework first would give you a good idea what is necessary for a success with this type of shaving and then you can decide where is the appropriate place for you to start. It depends on your personality, your priorities, your values, your financial situation, your experience with tools....

I guess after sticking around for 5 years I may be considered as approaching an 'old timer' and from what I have seen the vast majority of our members only need a sharp razor, quality strop, a spare $30 to send off the razor for rehoning in a couple of weeks when they make a mistake and mess up the edge, and after a month and a half-two start venturing into touching-up their razor.
This is really the easiest and cheapest approach because it builds the necessary skills incrementally.

But again, there is always much smaller number for whom different approach is the best option.