Thread: Shave near Detroit Michign

Jeff,

Only you know what your budget will allow, but it won't take too many trips to the barber shop to pay for the SR & supplies (or one similar) that David outlined for you. Not to mention the fact that there's no travel involved and no waiting.

A few years ago when I started wearing my hair very short, I realized that I was paying the barber a lot of money to shave my head with a #1 clipper guard. I went to the local beauty supply and bought a $100 pair of clippers. It didn't take too long before they'd paid for themselves. Nothing against the barber - just that I knew I could do it myself on my time table. When I decide to let my hair grow longer, I'll go back to the barber - longer hairstyles: that I can NOT do for myself

Straight razor shave: this you CAN do for yourself, with the help of SRP. There is an wonderful sense of satisfaction I receive from giving myself an incredibly close shave, knowing I did it the way men have been shaving for years. It's one small and enjoyable way of saying "no" to the hurried, frantic pace of today's world.

Not trying to twist your arm or anything... (actually, I guess I am)

Just my 2 cents worth.

Greg

Originally Posted by Alembic

You could also just hang out here for a while until the bug bites you so bad that you abandon this crazy Barber Shop quest and just invest that money in some equipment.

David

wow... You guys are awesome!! Thanks so much for all the info, opinions, suggestions etc. To answer a few questions: My budget is probably $150.00 to $200.00 in order to get up and shaving. Obviously, later I plan on buying other things but really wouldnt like to spend more than my budget initially. As I said previously, I dont want to buy junk. Would like to spend the majority of my budget on the things that matter most Razor? Strop?...

So.. i too have been doing some research regarding barber shop shaves... I have been looking online and only found a few options. I will list them here in case others are interested:

The Barber pole - Birmingham, mi. I have not called this place but these do advertise straight razor shaves on their website
The Baber Pole - Services

Trim Barber house - Clawson, MI
Again, I have not been to this place or called them but they too advertise straight razor shaves on their website.
Trim Barber House • 26 N. Main Street • Clawson, Michigan 48017 • (248) 585-5900


Now... I am going to follow the path that many have suggested and scrap the whole barber shop idea. I am going to get some money together and start ordering the stuff I need to get going here at home. I will look into the suggested razor/strop kit and shaving kit... I will also look into the DVD.

Thanks to everyone that is trying to help me out, again, I appreciate it!!

Jeff

Originally Posted by LinacMan

Hello Jeff,

I'm new to straight razor shaving, and just had my 7th shave yesterday. Number 8 will be this evening. It is FANTASTIC! I've never had a SR shave at a barber (other than the back of my neck during a haircut as a kid). I agree with David - you can get a great straight razor shave right in your own home. Like any other acquired skill there is a learning curve;from reading the forums it seems to vary from guy to guy. But at least for me, it's been pretty smooth sailing and I'm hooked. One week "in" and I've decided that a safety razor will only touch my face again under the direst of circumstances, although I'm not sure what those circumstances are yet.

If you're looking for "the experience", what better place than your own "shave den". SR shaving is an incredibly relaxing experience - all you have to do is set aside the time. Sometimes I get up a little earlier so I'm not rushed, and other times I wait until I get home and reward myself after a long day at work with some personal R&R time shaving. Once you get your "gear", pick out some good relaxing music, take a hot shower, and indulge yourself in the experience.

Read the WIKI - it's a wealth of information. Take the advice of the fantastic guys on this forum like David and Obie. Take David up on his offer to help you pick out gear. I made some impulse purchases before really reading everything and luckily some-what landed on my feet. My first razor wasn't shave-ready, so I sent it to Lynn at Straight Razor Designs (SRD) to have him hone it. I also ordered a razor from Lynn so I could start shaving while waiting on him to hone the first razor. Lynn has a great DVD on how to shave with a straight razor - well worth the $25. You can order it from SRD.

Jump on in - the water's fine

Greg

Greg... A bit off topic but.....

I can tell you are a wise man who likes the finer things in life. I noticed the quotes in your signature. John Gierach is my absolute favorite author. He has a great sense of humor and find his style of writing very, very enjoyable. I am an avid fly fisherman and outdoorsman. Anyone looking for a great author that writes short stories about fly fishing etc... Check out John Gierach!!

Cheers!! Jeff

Originally Posted by Michiganman

David,
Looking at the link your provided for the Dovo set... I see there are several 3" strop options for front and back. Which should I be looking at? Does it matter as long as it is the suggest 3"?

Thanks

Good question, and another decision to make

The webbing that is comes with is quite good, and there is no reason really to select anything other than the 3" here.

The leather is a little more complicated. 3" for sure. But here is the thing. I am not a strop guy, so I don't know all of the ins and outs of the different leathers first hand. Many people give rave reviews on the Premium IV English Bridle for stropping and also the Premium I leather. Both are a $35 adder. However, there is a very strong likelyhood you will nick your strop as you learn to strop. Many say don't fall in love with your first strop for this reason. But there is a chance that you don't nick it or don't nick it to the point of needing to replacement. And if that is the case, you can use the 3" latigo for a $20 adder for a lifetime with great shaving results.

Understand that the degrees of improvement in the results from the equipment are very subtle at this level. It is a degree that will take you quite some time to appreciate. But the 3" width you will get the value from immediatly.

So, if it were me, I would get the 3" latigo, and put the other $15.00 into a good alum block, and maybe a styptic pencil. You will need a good post shave balm. I really like Nivea Replenishing Post Shave Balm. It's about $6.00 at Meijer's.

You will have VERY good equipment that will last you a lifetime. That is until you get an Aquistion Disorder of some sort, and then you start buying stuff without a rational reason. THAT my friend is the fun of this art.

Jeff,

I'm not so sure about the "wise" part, but totally agree with the "finer things" part. As I mentioned in a post on another thread, my maternal grandfather told me I epitomized the statement of "having champagne taste on a beer budget"

Originally Posted by Michiganman

Greg...

I can tell you are a wise man who likes the finer things in life.

Cheers!! Jeff

David,

Although I'm not sure where my disorder will land, I have the feeling that it may land on RAD. I just started and already have 2 razors & 2 strops. Although I like the strops, purchasing the second one was more an issue of function (at least that's my story for now) As for the razors - well let's just say I view them as objects of beauty. Someone unfortunately mentioned the name Robert Williams and seconds later I was at his website - WOW! I could go broke buying some of those razors. They are SO COOL looking. Wiping drool from corner of mouth...

Greg

Originally Posted by Alembic

That is until you get an Aquistion Disorder of some sort, and then you start buying stuff without a rational reason. THAT my friend is the fun of this art.

ok.. so everything is as planned. Order the Strop and Razor kit suggested earlier along with the alum bloc and styptic pencil. Now I just need to get the soaps, creams, balms etc. I am on my way!!! Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions, opinions etc.. Appreciate it. I cant wait to get my stuff!!!

Thanks again.
Jeff

Jeff,

Good for you. I can't wait to here of your shaving exploits as you learn. Remember, that razor will be shave ready when you get it. You do not need to strop it. This will give you a clear idea of what sharp is from an expert.

Stropping is tricky, so read a lot here and ask questions.

I think you show the spirit needed to succeed. You will be fine.

David

Agreed. I'm excited for you Jeff.

Greg

Originally Posted by Alembic

Jeff,

I think you show the spirit needed to succeed. You will be fine.

David

Fantastic..welcome another Michigander to the list

Originally Posted by Michiganman

ok.. so everything is as planned. Order the Strop and Razor kit suggested earlier along with the alum bloc and styptic pencil. Now I just need to get the soaps, creams, balms etc. I am on my way!!! Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions, opinions etc.. Appreciate it. I cant wait to get my stuff!!!

Thanks again.
Jeff