any and all tips please

I have decided to join the world of straight razor shaving. I am completely naive with what I should buy. I have been researching for a few days now and came across this gem of a site. I know asking what to use may be like asking what I should eat, but I'm curious to see what straight edges people started with and would recommend to a beginner. Did anyone buy a set or did you buy everything individually? What should I steer clear of and what should I do a little more research on? I want to make sure I put the time in and become as well informed as possible before I make an investment on any and everything that I need to purchase.

I am rather new myself but I can share what I have learned.

You can buy a new razor or a restored razor. If going with new, look at the advertisers on this site, particularly Straight Razor Designs or Vintage Blades. They have some of the cheapest prices, and you get a razor that is shave ready(This is very important! You can read about learn about what shave ready means in the library section at the top of the page). SRD also gives a certificate for 1 free re-honing with the purchase of a new razor. Here is something to watch out for. One big name retailer offers a popular Dovo 5/8 that has the retailer's name on the blade. The price is much higher than what SRD charges for the same model, and the big name razor is not shave ready.
If you are going with a restored razor look at the classifieds here on Straight Razor Place. Pay attention to seller feedback. Again, you should be looking for a shave ready razor. The advantage of going with a restored razor is that you can often get a good razor for half the price of a new razor.

One thing to consider is that starting out you are likely to damage your razor or strop, therefore people new to straight razor shaving are often advised to buy basic models. You don't want to damage a high-end razor while learning to use your tools. A Dovo 5/8 "Best Quality" is considered a good first razor.

I bought a razor and strop set. I think buying a set was a good deal, you just have to shop around. If you read a lot of the posts in the beginers section you can see what has worked or not worked for others. One common theme you will find is advice for beginners to read the shave wiki. I read as much as I could before I bought my razor set. Also, look for the sections about what brands to avoid.

I hope this is helpful. You will find that the folks here are willing to help out new members. Don't hesitate to ask. Finally, welcome to the forum.

I don't know if you have seen this section of the forum Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki but there is plenty of info there.

Bob

I got a 5/8 Boker King Cutter and the SRD Premium II strop with brown nylon and a Thater Pure Badger. I think the Boker King Cutter or the Dovo Best Quality would be fine razors. In fact, I now have a mere 4 new razors and that's the one I keep going back to. The Boker has a smooth and rounded tang and I found I was wanting a jimped tang from the start (I ended up adding filework to my Boker). I believe the Dovo Best Quality comes with jimping for a better purchase.

Start with a professionally sharpened razor, honed by someone reputable, for sure, so you know that it's shave ready and what sharp/smooth really means.

I didn't buy these as a set, but that was because all the sets were sold out; otherwise, I would have bought whatever was offered in the set at SRD at least. Shop around if you like; most sites have a disparity in prices but price match it seems. I would get a strop that is advertised as a medium draw, so you know whether you want to go down or up in draw after it breaks in.

For a brush, I would personally have spent a little more money from the beginning and gotten a finest badger instead of the pure badger. In fact, I just made a boar hair brush for myself and love it. If I were pinching pennies, I'd get a 22mm boar hair brush...it's the perfect combination, in my opinion, between price and quality and I haven't found anything that feels better on my face when face lathering a several day old beard growth.

From what I've read and what I've learned, you should probably stay away from the eBay razors until you know what a good one and bad one looks like. I haven't used the classified, but I would buy from there if price and assured quality were a concern. I have six vintage razors and there is definitely a difference between new and vintage (most seem to say in a better way).

Bottom line, there are plenty of threads like yours, just use the search function and you'll be here for the rest of the year. I over research everything I get into and/or buy and I still have plenty to research here by the time I decide to pull the trigger on something.

Hope this helps!

How do you know what draw a strop is? I have not heard of that yet.

You've just got to read people's reviews of them or read the description on the ones for sale.

If you want to get into this with good quality and a low price, I would recommend Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment. They have a very good reputation for providing highly functional, low cost gear. If you want to go new then I would +1 the information above.

You don't mention what you are currently using. Are you already wet shaving or still using carts? If you are using canned goo and carts, you have a lot to learn about preparing the face for a straight razor shave. You have to identify the type of beard you have and figure out how to get moisture into it and cover it with a good lather. Enjoy the journey and good luck.

If you can afford it, buy any razor from straight razor designs - really, everything they sell is going to shave great. Also, it will be honed well and come with a certificate for a free 2nd honing.

Whipped dog's cheaper options will get you a well honed razor as well, but it will be ugly.

Whatever you get, a 6/8 half hollow is recommended because it's the middle of the road as far as size and grind. I got a 6/8 full hollow though and it's worked out for me.

Are you coming from cartridge or Double Edge shaving?

If you don't have a shave brush, you will need to buy one. I would get a badger brush around a 19-21mm knot. Check out your local Crabtree and Evelyn for their Best Badger brush. A few years ago I bought one for about $35. It is probably one of the best brushes you can get for that price range.

Also I would buy some shaving soap (if you don't have already) or shaving cream to use with your brush. A ton of products out there. I like Taylor of old Bond Street for creams and Mama Bear for soaps.

Don't forget to get a styptic for cuts and some splash aftershave to help sooth your face.