Thread: New and Need some help

Hello,
I have been lurking here and reading about straight razor shaving for some time now, and I think I’m ready to dump my disposables and give this a shot. I have grown tired of paying for new refills that don’t shave well and just give me bad rashes. I need some help though. After much reading I have come to the conclusion that I am not skilled enough (yet) to re-profile or hone my own blade. I am on an extremely limited budget as I am currently out of work. I have been looking on Ebay and I see a lot of razors, but I’m unsure of the quality. Anyone have any opinion on a good cheaper razor on Ebay or some other place? I was also wondering if anyone could give me some advice on convincing my wife that straight razor shaving is a good idea ? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for having such an awesome site!! The video is a true inspiration!!

I would purchase a razor off the site here. Look in the files section of the home page under "Gear for sale" or something. Keep your disposables for a while and learn how to shave with it. Get .5 paste and maintain the blade with that and purchase either a barber hone or wet/dry sandpaper to hone with. Its possible to maintain a razor stropping on what I call .1 newspaper but it still takes a learning curve. Actually shaving cheap takes more knowledge then shaving expensively. I am told you can also use car polish on linen if you ever buy a strop. Tony is selling seconds, you should check with him. All this stuff you buy over time while your using the disposibles and shave when you want to with the straight as you figure all this stuff out.

There might be a razor give away for newbies here this year too.

Shaving with a straight razor is more about knowledge then equipment.

Its your face and you'd save money in the long run so the choice should be yours not hers, but buying a bunch of stuff you don't know how to use isn't wise either.

I'd keep working on finding a cheap sharp razor and look around the house now for smooth leather, like a belt. Then use a rolling pin on it to compress it. Keep it long, you'll need a section plain and a section for a paste. Usually the inside of the belt is better then the outside, whichever is smoother. Pastes can be purchased at classicshavingcom or you can obtain some from somebody here.

Good luck and wait for more responses....

Forget about Ebay

How big should the piece of leather be for a strop? I might be able to find an old belt, but I'm not sure how soft or smooth it would be. My wife doesn’t really care, she just thinks I a bit clumsy Do you know what the grit equivalency is of a barbers hone?

Most people use the Norton 4000/8000 waterstone, with a 12,000 or more to finish. BUT, if youre on a limited budget try Tilly at www.redtrader99.com as she sells some cheaper alternatives. God knows what the grit is but people seem to like them.

My advice as I have only recently started myself would be to pick up a 4-sided paddle stop from Tony (www.thewellshavedgentleman.com). His products are of an exceptional standard and the number of sides means that you can do normal stropping and have a variety of pastes to maintain your blade in one easy to use item.

As for the razor itself, ask people on here, that way you know youre getting a razor that would put most scalpels to shame. If you get an ebay one its likely to be of inferior quality and you'll take half your face off before you realise your mistake.

Above all, go slow and good luck.

Max,
Thanks. Your link included added a few charachters and does not work.
It should be www.thewellshavedgentleman.com I don't heve the seconds strops listed but they are always available direct for $7.95.

I will say though that now that I am using hand American leather there may not be any more seconds............Keith's leather is that good and he already weeds out any seconds before they get to me.

I will be listing some shave ready razors soon.

Tony

Any idea of when you're going to start selling coticule stones? Also, what's the grit equivalent on them, or do they vary? I'm looking for a 12K stone to finish on.

The Belgian stones will be here Saturday or Monday and pretty steady ater that (provided you guys do your part <g>).

I will have the yellow Coticule stones in 2x8 and 3x8 sizes and the blue whetstones in 2x6, 2x8 and 3x8 to start and can get pretty much any size in time. These will be the type with the Coticule bonded to the slate backing as is standard now days. There will be a very few natural stones where the yellow and blue are in one solid matrix. These are pretty rare and do sell at a premium.

The yellow Coticule is close to 8000 grit, the blue is 4000 grit. Much like Japanese stones a slurry is formed with the background clay of th stone and the tiny garnets are suspended in this and do the work. Although the grit sizes are fairly large the shape prevents them from cutting deeply into the steel and that is what makes the superior polish these are known for.

Unlike most of the stones we use these are natural, right from the ground and come from only one spot on earth.

Best,
Tony

So how much should I plan on spending to get my self up and running?

Go to www.billysblades.com and look at the razors he has for sale. They are shave ready for an additioal fee.
Also look in the "Gallery" here I believe Lynn Abrams may have some for sale and others may also have some listed.
Also, within the Gallery look in the Gear for Sale folder. There may be some listed there.
The classifieds section here may have some razors for sale.
Expect to pay $50 total (including shipping) at a minimum.
Do not buy a used razor off ebay unless the seller says its "Shave Ready". Then double check with us before placing a bid.

Post a message in the "Buy. Sell, Trade " forum saying that you want to buy a starter razor. Look for a 5/8 or 6/8 razor to start with.

For a strop purchase one of Tony Millers "seconds" or get a plain wide belt and use the fine finish side for final stropping. Perform 30-50 laps on the strop just before each shave using an edge trailing stroke with light/moderate pressure.


As you may have already read in the posts here this can become an expensive hobby. I doubt that you will save any money initially.

Originally Posted by Servo

So how much should I plan on spending to get my self up and running?

Take a look at Tony Millers shop. He has complete starter sets. for about $105.

http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/