Thread: Hello everyone!

Hi, my name is Eric. I found this page while doing research on straight razors and what I should buy as a beginner. I thought I had found a good place to get me started. After reading some though I am not sure that is the case. So I am hoping after some more reading, research and suggestions from experienced members, I will be able to buy what I need and get started. I look forward to getting to know everyone and getting as much knowledge as I can. So with being said any suggestions or advice to help me get stared will be greatly appreciated.

Eric

Hi. Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

SRP is a great place to learn about getting started out shaving with a straight razor. What makes you not sure that this is a good place to get started as your second and third sentence indicate?

Are you looking to buy new or vintage? Best bang for the buck or indulgent? There are several different routes you can take so knowing your mindset will help members give you advice.

Here is some great info to read before you take the plunge
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._razor_shaving

Welcome to SRP! keep an eye on the buy/sell/trade part of the forum. There you can pick up a nice vintage razor that WILL BE SHAVE READY! not like what you will find from a factory or ebay. The standard for begginners is 5/8 round point hollow ground. All up to you what you want to start with.

Go slow and watch lots of vids. Enjoy the trip as its a long one before you get good at S shaving. Remember that after you've had 100+ shaves with a SR, then your just getting the feel of it. Time and effort is the key. Have fun and ask anything you want here. Except " how much is this razor worth". Ha. Against the rules here at SRP to value them.

Welcome!
I agree with all of the the Above! Make haste slowly...less regrets that way. I did it the other way and got a lot of stuff that was not in my best interest!
Only the friends I found here are really valuable!
~Richard

I appreciate the advice guys and have started the search for a good vintage shave ready straight razor. Do you guys have any good recommendations for the rest of the stuff I am going to need strop etc?

Hello Eric and welcome to SRP.
Take a look at Straight Razor Designs. I believe that they have some sets specifically for beginners. As for essentials you will need a strop, a shave brush, a mug or bowl unless you plan on face lathering, and some soap or cream.
Ask questions, take it slow and enjoy all the forum has to offer.
Have fun!

Pete <:-}

You too Geezer? I thought i was the only one who didnt take the advice of others and just bought up everything i could get my hands on. Ha.

Yep, strop from our mentor/godfather of this forum/SRD/Lynn is a good place to look for a strop. Also soaps and brushes i think. I think you can go without a bowl as i face lather. Now a coffee mug would be helpful or an old spice mug if you want to start collecting already, just for soaking you brush bristles before lathering. I bet you could buy all you neex at SRD. But you can buy from amazon too and many other places. You could read posts about brushes and posts about soaps and come up with some great starters or go all out.

Good luck.

I would agree with all the above except for 5/8 being the best size to start with. Since guys these days prefer the larger blades, I would suggest a 6/8 or 13/16 as the "middle of the road" blade size (6/8 is right in between 4/8 and 8/8, the typical size span not accounting for the > 8/8 meat choppers). I believe larger blades allow the razor to do the work for you without mistakenly applying added pressure (a no-no!). B/S/T here is a great place to find a deal on a vintage razors. Be patient, new entries appear each and every week.

Check out the Soaps and Creams section for great performers on a budget. I won't recommend anything in particular since there are oodles of choices there. This thread is a great place to start into that hunt: http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ps-creams.html

As for the rest, have fun researching and don't be afraid to ask specific questions in the various forum sections if searching hasn't dredged up your answer. Cheers!

Welcome to the forum.

Hi and welcome. Good luck getting started and any questions feel free to ask.