want to start with straight razor

I've decided to try shaving with a straight razor, I guess I am tired of my mach 3. After spending my weekend reading through this site I decided I will probably start with:

a Vulfix pure badger brush
one of those 4000/8000 wet stones
classic shaving's shave soap

...but I still will need to find a shave ready razor and a strop. I was wondering where I could get such a razor, what would be a good strop for someone just starting out, and if there is anything that I am forgetting/better alternative to what I found.

Thanks

Tony Miller offers some excellent beginner's packages. I have one of his 4 sided strops and I am extremely pleased with it. I would recommend his products to anyone.

I'll second that. I'm planning on ordering one of his paddle strops. He has some pretty nice stuff. Good luck.

-Nick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zach

a Vulfix pure badger brush
one of those 4000/8000 wet stones
classic shaving's shave soap

...but I still will need to find a shave ready razor and a strop. I was wondering where I could get such a razor, what would be a good strop for someone just starting out, and if there is anything that I am forgetting/better alternative to what I found.

---

Welcome to the club!

I agree with the previous guys. Tony Miller has some great starting packages. Check out Tony's gear in the gallery.

Tony is a big believer, as am I, of using pasted strops to maintain an edge. If you are starting with a new razor or restoring a damaged edge, you will need a stone. If all you are doing is keeping a sharp edge sharp, pasted strops work fine.

Tony Millers items can be found on this site in the
Gallery>Gear for Sale>Tony Miller.
Also on Ebay, his seller ID is heirphoto

Tony Miller and Ray at Classicshaving have many satisfied customers.

Feel free to ask any questions that you may have!:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zach

I've decided to try shaving with a straight razor, I guess I am tired of my mach 3. After spending my weekend reading through this site I decided I will probably start with:

a Vulfix pure badger brush
one of those 4000/8000 wet stones
classic shaving's shave soap

...but I still will need to find a shave ready razor and a strop. I was wondering where I could get such a razor, what would be a good strop for someone just starting out, and if there is anything that I am forgetting/better alternative to what I found.

Thanks

---

That sounds like a good setup so far. You'll definitely need a strop and Randy below is keen to point out that Tony Miller and Ray (classicshaving.com) are excellent sources. I'd also point out that Lynn (adjustme69) is currently selling razors (see user gallery>Lynn). They'll go fast since they're so awesome. I got my first from him and it shows you what you should be aiming at. But there are other members who sell razors too: David, Tony M., Bill Ellis, et. al., all for very reasonable prices. If you have more questions please do ask, we love to help.
Best,
Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zach

I was wondering where I could get such a razor, what would be a good strop for someone just starting out, and if there is anything that I am forgetting/better alternative to what I found.

---

Getting a honed razor from one of the masters is the best starting position.

Bill Ellis is here http://www.billysblades.com/Straighr%20Razors.htm I just got a razor from him and it's a work of art!

Tony Miller even has complete starter kits! Best quality at a very reasonalble price, The One Stop Strop Shop! :D For hanging strops you might want to ask about his "seconds". I put some cuts into my first strop and it seems like it's a fairly common newbie mistake. The second would be a bit cheaper and you won't cry so much if you damage it. :cry: Just a thought.

Lynn, The Chief Honemeister even has some blades for sale in his Gallery folder (not within the Gear For Sale, under Lynn instead).


X

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zach

and if there is anything that I am forgetting
Thanks

---

Styptic pencil, bandages and maybe a spare ear. Only kidding. Best way is to just go for it. You'll probably like your first razor and love the next three you buy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dr_Phong

Styptic pencil, bandages and maybe a spare ear. Only kidding. Best way is to just go for it. You'll probably like your first razor and love the next three you buy.

---

You forgot the cell phone with the emergecy numbers on speed dial and a picture of your face before, so the plastic surgeons have something to work from.

Quote:

---

You forgot the cell phone with the emergecy numbers on speed dial and a picture of your face before, so the plastic surgeons have something to work from

---

:confused: :eek: :nono: :)

Like Robin Williams said, "Reality, Wow, what a concept!"

Randy

Thanks for all the help, I think I will go check those things out after work.

Welcome to the club! You will not find a better group of guys anywhere on the net.

I, myself, am a relative newbie. And, like me, you'll probably have a ton of questions. Don't be afraid to ask them...no matter how dumb you may think they are. They will get answered. Everyone, even the seasoned experts, will contribute to answering your questions. Now, you'll probably get more than one slant, but that's what's great about these forums. You'll have a variety of choices to choose from to see what's right for you.

If I can offer one suggestion, I would say to you that patience is an absolute must! This, as I'm still learning, is an art that isn't learned overnight. Be patient and experiment with your technique and find what's right for your face and beard. If you do, you'll soon find straight razor shaving is the only way to go.

Good luck and happy journey!

Jeff

The spare ear and the "before" photo are the funiest two things I have heard here since I first joined !

Maybe I should include a disposable camera with my sets.......just in case.


I can gladly sell my kits minus the razor ($49.95) in case anyone wants a "Lynn special", one of John Crowley's NOS beauties or a new TI or Dovo from Classic Shaving. Bill Ellis has some nice ones too.

Tony

Don't forget the most important thing of all, make an appointment to donate a couple pints of your own blood before your first shave after all when you need that transfusion you don't want someone else's blood.

seriously though, welcome to the club here. As others have said I would get a kit from one of the regulars here then you'll be all set to go. Just take it slow at first. Things will improve with time.

Well I ordered everything a while ago, and now I will just have to wait for the packages to arrive...

Thanks again for all the info

Right on. Don't worry about all tha slashing and hacking talk, we're just havin some fun. Once I ordered all my new stuff I spent the next couple of weeks learning everything I could about straight razors and shaving. That is what is so great about our chosen dipiliatory method, nobody ever spent days researching how to use thier Mach 3.

When I got my razor in the mail from Lynn, I knew it was going to be sharp, but I didn't know it was going to be that sharp. My hand was shaking the first time I tried it. Quite exhilerating!

That's funny! My hand was shaking so bad I almost didn't shave the first time I held my razor honed by Lynn. My heart was also racing like a thoroughbread. I had to take a couple of deep breaths to slow everything down.

When all was said and done, it wasn't as bad as it could have been...LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RichZ

You forgot the cell phone with the emergecy numbers on speed dial and a picture of your face before, so the plastic surgeons have something to work from.

---

Hmm, I think I'll get photos of someone good looking and give the plastic surgeon those... Might as well upgrade while I'm there! :cool: