Thread: Just getting started...

Hey guys...straight razor shaving is all new to me, but highly recommended by a good friend. So...where do start? I don't even know what kind to buy.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Srp classifieds has good deals. Vintage shave ready would be a good choice for starters. Paddle or bench strop would be good to start stropping.

Welcome to the forum.

Start by reading in our wiki there is an excellent beginner's section that will help you avoid some of the more common pitfall such as "razor shaped objects" and how to build a great lather and other beard preparation items. Also, watch the vidoes about shaving.

it is important that you try a slow methodical approach in the long run you will get better results. start with a new brush and some different shaving soaps and creams while still using your current razor system then after plenty of research buy a shave ready razor form a reliable source (the classifieds here are a good place to start) and a starter strop. your face will thank you.

Using a straight is not rocket science but research and practice make it easy and enjoyable.

also, if you let us know where roughly you are in the world we might be able to offer some better suggestions.

jim

Hey pianoman,

Welcome to SRP. As noted above, check out the library/wiki...it's a wealth of information and is what led me down the right path when I started shaving with a straight 3 years ago. Yes, it can seem overwhelming at first...what blade width, what grind, what kind of strop, what width of strop, brushes, soaps...a lot of decisions. A lot of the decisions depend on your budget. I've helped friends get started who are college students with little-to-no money to invest who had to do things piece-meal, and I've helped friends where money was no object. Obviously, it's a lot easier if you're in the later category, but even my college buddies we able to get what they needed and are now enjoying better shaves.

There is a vendors section on SRP where you can check out razors that are available. Also, there are several great websites that sell everything you could possibly need. I got most of my initial supplies from Lynn and Don of Straight Razor Designs (SRD). Lynn started SRP....but SRD and SRP are independent sites. I'd refrain from buying from Ebay or walking into an antique store to purchase your first razor....I threw away some money at antique stores when I first started. I didn't know how to differentiate between pitting rust and surface rust and I now have a few worthless "paperweights' to show for it, lol.

You'll find that the members here on SRP are MORE than willing to give advice...as crazy as it sounds, a great guy named Obie that I met on this site who lives in Wisconsin (I live in Alabama) is who mentored me in shaving with a straight...and who I credit with my initial success in shaving. Trust me...plenty of private messages went back and forth between Wisconsin & Alabama when I first held a straight raor, looked in the mirror and said to my self "there's no way in h*ll I'm putting that sharp blade to my face", lol.

Good luck, man.....happy to answer any questions you may have.
Greg

Thanks for the info...I will need the luck...and maybe more help!

I appreciate your response...I'm in Louisiana, FYI...

Thanks...good to get some feedback so fast.

+ 1 on the above posts, but I'm also going to add my 2 cents worth. I am a relative newbie myself with less than 20 (lost actual count) straight shaves under my belt. I started with a very inexpensive vintage straight from Whippeddog.com. Its what Larry at whippeddog calls a sight unseen deal. The blade itself isnt anything to look at, but it comes truly shave ready. You may want to go this route initially, just to see if straight shaving really is your thing.

I would definitely read the wiki, and watch as many videos as possible. Lynn has a ton of vidoes out there from face prep to stropping, etc. Geofatboy's videos are pretty good also.

I would also say that you should TAKE YOUR TIME! Like anything else you have learned in your life, it takes practice and repitition. Don't expect your first few shaves to be baby smooth.

I would also start with a VDH deluxe shaving kit. I comes with soap, a brush, and a shaving bowl. You can get them at a drug store or Wally World, and they're around 10 bucks or so.

So, welcome aboard, and buckle up!

Another thing to watch for is the regional meetings. I went to the Mid-MO meeting in June of 2010 and 2012 and met a bunch of guys on SRP...including Lynn Abrams. It was fantastic...not only made my learning curve shallower, but made some great friends too.

I appreciate the advice, man...many thanks.