Thread: Howdy!

Is really the only place to buy a nice SR online?

Originally Posted by Brandonii54

Is really the only place to buy a nice SR online?

I started with SRD, because it's truly shave ready. With that said, SRD is a little more expensive because it's new razors - I've also bought a few razors through @cudarunner who hones them before sending, and they've been great. There's others on here and other sites that also do shave ready. Most important for a beginner is REALLY having shave ready because (like when I started) you really don't know what "good" is until you've tried "good". So either SRD or somebody on here who can help you find a good one and send it to you honed.

In my opinion, I've been happier and get better shaves from the Friodurs that Cuda found me than the Austs I bought from SRD. The SRD razors are great - don't get me wrong - but if you get a "better" razor that is honed well, you might be happier.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

I started with SRD, because it's truly shave ready. With that said, SRD is a little more expensive because it's new razors - I've also bought a few razors through @cudarunner who hones them before sending, and they've been great. There's others on here and other sites that also do shave ready. Most important for a beginner is REALLY having shave ready because (like when I started) you really don't know what "good" is until you've tried "good". So either SRD or somebody on here who can help you find a good one and send it to you honed.

I appreciate the time and information. The hardest part for me right now is picking the razor. I've read places that a $60 razor can be better than a $200 razor. I've been looking for one or a little more than two weeks.

Originally Posted by Brandonii54

I appreciate the time and information. The hardest part for me right now is picking the razor. I've read places that a $60 razor can be better than a $200 razor. I've been looking for one or a little more than two weeks.

I've found the same. Cuda found me a $100 Friodur that shaves as good as my $270 Aust from SRD. You might want to contact him. Another idea I hear is whipped dog. I hear they sell some great beginner sets. Keep in mind, it's not just the razor. You'll need a strop and soap/cream at least to start. The biggest reason to start with SHAVE READY is so that you can learn to strop. I was destroying my razors in like a week until I learned to strop, but by having shave ready to begin with, I knew what it was supposed to feel like and knew I was doing something wrong. Razorfeld (also on this site) emailed me for months helping me with my technique.

One more thought... I'm now a big fan of the roo strop that SRD sells. I found that because it's so supple and "forgiving", it really helped me learn. You might consider looking for a shave ready from somebody here, and then getting the roo strop from SRD. Cuda is pretty good at finding straights - he's found me 3 so far.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

I've found the same. Cuda found me a $100 Friodur that shaves as good as my $270 Aust from SRD. You might want to contact him. Another idea I hear is whipped dog. I hear they sell some great beginner sets. Keep in mind, it's not just the razor. You'll need a strop and soap/cream at least to start. The biggest reason to start with SHAVE READY is so that you can learn to strop. I was destroying my razors in like a week until I learned to strop, but by having shave ready to begin with, I knew what it was supposed to feel like and knew I was doing something wrong. Razorfeld (also on this site) emailed me for months helping me with my technique.

One more thought... I'm now a big fan of the roo strop that SRD sells for beginners. I found that because it's so supple and "forgiving", it really helped me learn. You might consider looking for a shave ready from somebody here, and then getting the roo strop from SRD.

I believe I have a strop and a "kit" that includes a badger brush, a bowl, soap and a stand for everything picked out. I am sending Cuda a PM right now. Do you believe it would be worth it to buy a dovo shavette first, or just dive right in. I always try and buy the best thing first, instead of wasting money on one, and upgrading later.

Originally Posted by Brandonii54

I believe I have a strop and a "kit" that includes a badger brush, a bowl, soap and a stand for everything picked out. I am sending Cuda a PM right now. Do you believe it would be worth it to buy a dovo shavette first, or just dive right in. I always try and buy the best thing first, instead of wasting money on one, and upgrading later.

Shavettes are tough - and I say that as somebody who owned a Parker shavette as a beginner razor (before I bought a straight) and still owns a Feather shavette that I use for travel. Those things are merciless. There's really 2 lines of thought - shavettes will cut you worse, but they're DEFINITELY shave ready and will teach you technique (and I would go with a Feather system over anything). If you can shave with a shavette, you can shave with a straight. Straights are a little more forgiving, but you will need to learn to strop. In retrospect, I would have gone with a straight first and saved myself the scars. I still love my Feather shavette, but even after getting to the point where I can do a 5 minute straight shave, that shavette still intimidates me.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

Shavettes are tough - and I say that as somebody who owned a Parker shavette as a beginner razor (before I bought a straight) and still owns a Feather shavette that I use for travel. Those things are merciless. There's really 2 lines of thought - shavettes will cut you worse, but they're DEFINITELY shave ready and will teach you technique (and I would go with a Feather system over anything). If you can shave with a shavette, you can shave with a straight. Straights are a little more forgiving, but you will need to learn to strop. In retrospect, I would have gone with a straight first and saved myself the scars. I still love my Feather shavette, but even after getting to the point where I can do a 5 minute straight shave, that shavette still intimidates me.

There is always this
http://www.amazon.com/Shaving-Straig...ight+razor+kit

It LOOKS perfect for beginners, but I am weary. It is a cheap golden dollar SR, which I haven't heard good things about. Any thoughts on that kit?

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

... Those things are merciless....

That about sums it up perfectly...I had a Parker to try, ended up giving it to a friend who wanted to try a single edge blade...told him they are different than straights, but you'll get the idea, and you may not thank me later...they are merciless!

Originally Posted by Brandonii54

I believe I have a strop and a "kit" that includes a badger brush, a bowl, soap and a stand for everything picked out. I am sending Cuda a PM right now. Do you believe it would be worth it to buy a dovo shavette first, or just dive right in. I always try and buy the best thing first, instead of wasting money on one, and upgrading later.

Welcome to SRP! I think if you find a good shave ready straight that really is shave ready, you will find that it gives you the closest shave you ever had & will be happy with it!

Originally Posted by engine46

Welcome to SRP! I think if you find a good shave ready straight that really is shave ready, you will find that it gives you the closest shave you ever had & will be happy with it!

That's really exactly what I'm trying for.