Thread: Hello Everybody :)

I am completely new to the world of straight razor shaving. Up till now I've shaved with an electric razor. As life has gone on I've started changing my life to more of an "old" life-style that is not so dependent on electricity. More of a homesteading aim I guess you could say though by no means am I homesteading right now. Looking at the future I definitely want to be homesteading though.

So about straight razor shaving, I'm completely new to this art form. I really like the idea and the quality of such an art. I do not own any straight razor nor strop, sharpening stone, brush, cream etc. I have been doing some online research and that is how I stumbled upon SRP. This appears to be a great online community and a rich source of information on this art. I'm excited about what I can learn here and I hope to make some good connections with others while I'm here.

Right now I'm particularly looking for a good straight razor to buy as I need one since my current electric razor has broken as of this morning. Please let me know what you all recommend for getting started. Any help is appreciated! My budget is a max of $100 if that helps any. I look forward to what you all have to share!

Welcome! For your budget, a lot of people recommend whipped dog. You can get everything you need there.
Most people would also recommend waiting on honing since it's fairly easy to mess up an edge at the beginning.
For slightly more of you want items, straight razor designs is the go to place.

Welcome! Try whipped dog. They have good starter razors that can get you up and running.

Our Classifieds here on SRP always have a few razors to choose from. Check it out, there's a few right in your budget.

Hi and welcome. Check out the beginner's section in the library for all the starter info and the other basics of Sr shaving. The classifieds here regularly have lower cost straights that will be truly shave ready and in good condition. Whipped dog also has a number of low cost items but some of the razors are in a lesser condition and that is the reason for them being so cheap. They will still be shave ready just probably not in great condition. It is a good starting point for starting on a tight budget till better equipment can be afforded

Hello there. Funny, am in the same boat. My electric razor needs new parts and I thought to myself "this thing has saved me a ton, but it's gonna die soon and I keep forgetting to recharge it. Why not just buy into an equally cheap but more permanent solution?"

So I did. I paid $107 for my Boker King Cutter, and everyone says it's a great razor. It's not a perfect edge yet, I have procrastinated on honing it, but it still shaves and it's surprisingly easy to do. I had a great experience splurging for a nice razor, and skimping on a walmart bowl, brush, and soap.

I have nicked myaelf twice in my first dozen shaves, both times because the razor isn't sharp enough and my technique falters when I have to endure the rough shave on the mustache. A sharper razor would have saved me, I bet.

Everyone here has better advice on technique than I, but as a long time user of sharp things (chisels, awls, carving blades, etc.), I am certain that I avoided some blood shed by planning and confidently executing each stroke of the razor. If I can say anything to help you out, it's "respect the razor, don't fear it; fear will ruin your form, and then you will see problems".

Welcome to SRP QuietListener. Good advice has been given in previous posts to your thread. Yes, good quality razors available through the classifieds but, considering your stated budget, Whipped Dog is a solid choice. His razors are nothing to look at in general, but you are after a good shave, not a good looking razor. One of my best razors is a nameless razor in very plain scales and it shaves like a dream.

His razors come ready to use and all you really need for several months to come is a strop, which he can also provide. Before you even try shaving with a straight you really need to read and watch videos on SRP on good stropping. Done right your edge is good for months. Done wrong and it's dulled instantly and you are back to square one. Learning to hone your own is not a simple task. It is in no way similar to honing a knife. More steps, finer grit stones involved. I may be a Mentor, but I still hit a brick wall on some of my razors as I continually develop my honing skills.

Do more reading/watching. Go slow. There are two Mentors in Florida, Hirlau and Double0757. Contact one of them and arrange a meeting and they can show you the ropes and make sure you get a solid, good start. That's what we are here for.