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Hi, I'm currently at university, hence the two locations, and have just been given a straight razor with a disposable blade in it. I've had a good read through the stuff in the library and it certainly seems very useful! As I've always used a cartridge razor, and literally just have a straight razor, would you recommend getting a brush and shaving soap before I start to use it? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated as well!
Yup. Even with cartridge you'll appreciate a brush and good soap. Also replaceable blades normally called a shavette. True straights are the older fashioned type you hone and strop. Maybe post a pic so more experienced people can tell you if you have a good one or not. Also styptic pencil or alum block definitely a good idea. Greetings and enjoy.
My dad's always used shaving gel, and his hands to apply it, so I guess I've just never thought to do it any differently! I have to confess, I'd been wondering what the difference between a shavette and a straight edge were - now I know. I have a feeling it won't be a very good one, as it was given to me in a secret santa, but it'll give me something to start off with. Now I've got it, I'm tempted to look at getting a traditional straight razor.
Forum classifieds always have some good ones and they will also be properly honed. Straight razor designs good for new ones. Whipped dog if you not bothered about pretty. Whipped dog also do a nice strop etc starter set. All the above do professionally honed. Beware of shave ready not being so from ebay and other places. Shavettes bit different to straights but if you use search function and library will also find good info on their use.
I'll have a look around and see what there is then. I'd avoid buying off eBay or similar sites, for the sole reason you can't guarantee it'll be in the condition it says it is.
I'll do a search and see what I can find about them - I'd rather not slice my face up as a result of not doing so!
If you hit forum button top left. There is entire shavette sub section
Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!
You will find members here of all different backgrounds, ages and occupations from all corners of the world and all with a quest for more knowledge about using and maintaining a straight razor!
If you take the time to search, 99.9% of your questions can be found in the Library (WIKI) however feel free to ask us about whatever it is that you are wondering about or having a problem with. It does help if you’ve done some research before hand so it narrows the problem down a bit.
Well now that that's over I'm really glad to hear that you've decided to learn an older but better way of shaving :tu
As to your original question; yes a brush and non 'canned goop' shaving soap are a necessity. They don't have to be the best to get started, with that said you will find that as you journey along this path that you will become either more inquisitive or venturous and will want to see what other soaps do for you.
As far as a shavette VS as true straight, that's a matter of choice. Personally I've never used a shavette but others seem to like them and I've often read of those who started with the shavette progress to the true straight and end up preferring the true straight.
Now to costs. When you decide to go with a true straight, you don't need to be spending a bunch of money. For around $50 you can get a good vintage razor. Remember that 'fancy looks' don't give a better shave than a 'Plain Jane' does.
Oh, damn near forgot. You will need a strop if you go with the true straight. Again you don't need anything expensive when you start out. You might try some of the older barber shops and see if one of the barbers has an older strop that he might let go of for a reasonable price. :shrug: Another option is Amazon. Look for an Illinois 827, it's a good strop and my go to right after honing a razor. Senior Mod GSSIXGUN has used on for 30 years and swears by it.
This age old art has a huge learning curve so hang in there, take things one baby step at a time. It's a long strange trip but well worth the journey :tu
A properly made lather from a brush and soap is tremendously better than the canned goo. The lubrication provided makes for a much better shave.
There is a Sheffield razor that has a motto right on the blade...
"You lather well, I'll shave well"
The lather truly does matter.
Hi and welcome. After reading if you have any questions feel free to ask. Good luck
Palmolive shaving sticks are about £1.50 and will last ages, and represent better value than canned product, it is also not bad, the palmolive cream in a tube is good too.
Boar brushes are perfectly good, semogue and omega ones should cost less than £10 from eBay. I used to use a brush I bought in boots it lasted me for over a decade, but i don't know what they stock now, last time I was in the uk (about a year ago) their shaving stuff was pretty limited.
It's fairly evident that I need to look around for a brush and some soap. I know there's a shop in Leeds that specialises in straight and safety razors, so I may head in there after my exam in a few days time to see what I can find
Hi & welcome to SRP. You will find that there are many helpful people on here to answer any questions you might have. As you already know, you will need a brush, soap, a soap mug & most importantly a strop. You will need to know how to strop & you can use an old wide belt if you have one & a butter knife to practice with while you wait on a straight razor & all of your other supplies which you will be able to get fairly cheap if you shop around. The Palmolive I have is in a tube & is an excellent soap but there are many others also. The Palmolive I have is made in Italy. I don't know what kind of stores you have there in the UK or if there are resale shops or antique stores to buy a good used straight razor from but know what to look for even though you said you would stay away from there, just some friendly advice. Don't buy anything with a lot of hone wear or rusty blades or one with a chipped or cracked blade. You can find a decent deal on eBay if you know what to look for. For now your straight razor with the disposable blade will work because you can start with a new blade. There are a few members here from the UK so you might be able to find one close to you that can be of some good help to you & even be a mentor for you. Here are a couple of links for you if you have not seen them yet. If you have seen these already then please disregard them. I know you said you have looked through the Library here. The first one is razors to avoid:
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library
This next link is one that has good brands of razors that you would want to own:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Library
I hope these are helpful to you. It is good to have you here with us, so enjoy the site & feel free to ask anything you want. We are here to help out in any way we can. Good luck my friend.
Traditional Shaving Company in Leeds (assuming this is the one you mean) have plenty of good gear and well priced. They have quite a slick site to with free delivery in the UK, not to mention you always get a couple of sweets in the box ;) which my wife loves so she doesn't mind so much if I ever get parcels from them lol. The only downside is if you are wanting a brush they only stock badger brushes so if you want a good one they can be quite expensive on the other hand boar or horse hair brushes are relativly cheap. If you do want a badger brush for quality but don't want to pay the premium a lot of those carry have a look at New Forest Brushes, excellent brushes without the premium price tag.
While your looking at soaps don't forget to have a look at the artisan makers as well both in the UK and US, as there are some top class soaps about out there. My favourite at the minute is Wickham Super Smooth but these are so subjective it's easy to spend all your money on them to find the one you like best.
Mike
That is indeed the company I mean. Seeing as I walk past them every time I go to uni, I may drop in to have a look at what they have. I'll take a look around to see what there is before I commit to anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelcynn
Hi and welcome,
Nice to see another UK member.
As mentioned Palmolive shave sticks are great and only 49p at Tesco and Wilkinsons (Thats all I use when using safety razors)
Signature Soaps Limited (Powered by CubeCart)
The above link is a local artisan (based in Bolton) I have the Eucalyptus and Lavender soap and its very good with a fresh modern kinda scent, It's a big container 190g for £7.50 Ive been using mine for a couple of months now and hardly made a dent in it. Its easy to lather as well.
As mentioned Omega boar brushes are great value they may take a few shaves to break in and remove the original animal scent lol but I like mine.
I only want to say the following:
As a wee lad, I was 7 years old at the time, my father enlisted me in LUSCOS.
That was back in 74.
I've been a member ever since...
Welcome to SRP!
(LUSCOS is short for Leeds United Supporter club of Scandinavia)
Welcome to our forum! Hope you have a great time!
Welcome to SRP!
Hi and welcome, if you need help just ask here you'll get all the answers you need.
I'm yet to be able to call myself a supporter of Leeds United, coming from Reading. I do, however, check how they do in their matches!Quote:
Originally Posted by Birnando
Welcome. My favourite soap is the Mitchell's wool fat I have tried loads. Also it can get expensive smirk..
I'm one step closer to ditching the canned gloop...my soap's arrived fro Signature Soaps Ltd and hopefully I'll have a brush arriving some time in the next few days
Hopefully in about 10-12 days you'll have a couple of razors and a strop to use along with the soap and brush! :tu :yQuote:
Originally Posted by RSully
Now go to bed and get some rest for those exams!!!!!!!! :banghead:
I'm looking forward to that! :yQuote:
Originally Posted by cudarunner
Haha, fortunately it was only one exam and that was yesterday - I'm now onto the tedious task of finding and reading books to put together an essay for Monday! :aargh: