Thread: Hello from Northern California

My name is Mark and I'm looking to give a straight razor a try. I have curly hair and have struggled with razor bumps forever. Tried electric for years of bad shaves. Now using Gillett pro glide. $$$$$. Can you guys set me up with the basics without spending a fortune?

Mark

Whipped dog will have about the cheapest price out there. That said it costs about the same for a cheap one out of the classifieds here. Good luck with your search. Any questions feel free to ask

Hi, Mark, and welcome to SRP!!

Thanks guys. I found a guy that's selling a 1910 Wald Solingen Ern in mint condition with original case. It looks beautiful. He wants $100 for it. It looks like the handle part of the blade is brass or a brass color but the blade itself looks like stainless steel. What do you think? Should I buy it?

Mark

Originally Posted by frat

Thanks guys. I found a guy that's selling a 1910 Wald Solingen Ern in mint condition with original case. It looks beautiful. He wants $100 for it. It looks like the handle part of the blade is brass or a brass color but the blade itself looks like stainless steel. What do you think? Should I buy it?

Mark

Personally I'd maybe go with a less expensive vintage with a pro hone. That way if/when you're learning and u damage the blade it doesn't hurt quite so bad. Plus its a lot of cash if you're not sure you even like straights.

But sounds like a decent deal.

Welcome to SRP! I'd check out the Classifieds. Good luck!

Sounds like a good deal but remember that you're first razor will pay for your mistakes while learning. Maybe buy it and put it aside till your skills match the razor

Hello Mark,

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. Now that you plan to join the world of gentlemen shavers, here are the tools you need:

Shave ready razor, preferably a 4/8 or 5/8 size blade.
A good strop, preferably 3-inch.
A good brush.
A good soap or cream.

Honing straight razors is another skill altogether. I suggest postponing honing your own razors until you lean how to strop and shave properly. There is plenty of time to learn how to hone.

Please read all the information provided for newbies. After that, ask questions. In addition, the vendors here on SRP all have various packages for you to start with. Please do your research, and we're all here to help you.

Hi Mark and welcome to SRP.
For the $100 you are thinking of spending for the Ern razor, I suggest the same as eddy79. Check out whippeddog.com for his sight unseen deals.
After a look at his website, for a little less than $100.00 - you can get a sight unseen razor shave ready for $43.00, a poor man strop kit $25.00, Shave soap and brush $25.00, styptic pencil (for nicks and cuts) $2.00.
These are the basic tools to get you started in straight razor shaving.
The next suggestion is to read up as much as you can about the different aspects of shaving with straight razors. There is a lot of information here and also lots of very helpful members to help out if you run into problems.
Also check out the videos section - just type shaving videos in the search bar if you don't see it.
Enjoy the experience