Thread: Restarting...

Hello and welcome!
All great suggestions above..
I wish that I could keep it simple, really like the concept. Of course there are varying degrees.. one mans simplicity is another mans complication.

I'd be interested to see how a simple set up can progress to an even better simple set up..
I envision a 2 blade portable shave kit, fully functional from hone to strop to face with shave bowl, brush, shave cream/puck, aftershave, and a breath mint!

Very utilitarian.. though perhaps less simple.
I can't make up my mind whether or not to go with the classic wood finish or go Bond with a Pelican case... wham bam simply go anywhere!

Err uh, sorry about that, kind of lost myself there!

I suggest you just get a shave ready Ralf Aust (Maggards, direct from Ralf, SRD), SRD or Tony Miller 2 1/2 inch strop and for soaps get Haslinger , DRH Almond, AOS unscented. This gear will last a lifetime. I recommend Aust because I find them the easiest to hone because of their geometry. Aust hones them flat to the stone so no tape of hone gymnastics are needed to maintain the edge. Also you can go as fancy or plain as you want depending on your budget

Welcome to the forum.

Wow - thanks for all the great suggestions!!
The prices on SRD seem reasonable to me - SR shaving is something I plan to do not try to do - so I’m not afraid to spend a few dollars for quality/utility.
The 2 razor idea is a great one - hadn’t thought of that...
The minimalist thing is just part of my personal preference - I enjoy the simple, direct approach to most things.
I have a (possibly historically inaccurate) image in my mind of gents in the past shaving with SRs without much product selection or forum advice - and never thinking twice about it.
The quality of a SR shave is one thing, but the simplicity of it just seems so cool to me.
How many engineers fed their families, bought homes, and sent their kids to private schools on salaries received while designing the Mach 3 or the Edge shave gel container (or just the gel itself)?
All of that, when a sharp edge and lathered soap could do the job better every time...
I’m no Luddite, and I definitely listen to my dentist for every possible modern advance in dentistry - but, y’know, sometimes the old ways are the better ways....

(nothing against my engineer friends making a living, either...)

Sorry to blather, thanks again!

Peace.

Originally Posted by Gimakas

I have a (possibly historically inaccurate) image in my mind of gents in the past shaving with SRs without much product selection or forum advice - and never thinking twice about it.
The quality of a SR shave is one thing, but the simplicity of it just seems so cool to me.

Everything you noted is spot on, but I especially appreciate your take on how easily one should be able to pick up this sport with readily available support and good advice on offer.

The straight razor is such a simple, elegant tool, and the nostalgia of my grandfather having shaved with them made me curious to learn wet shaving. I figured as a young immigrant to this country, he probably taught himself the skills needed without the help of his father. When my daughter asked how I had learned, I simply told her about this forum, similar to the ones I used to frequent for making espresso at home.

Hope you stop kicking tires and get equipped to learn soon. You will no doubt fall in love with the simple act of shaving. Yeah, it's weird, but you're among good company here...and safe.

Gimakas welcome back. Glad to see you realize 2 razors are preferred. Get an old strop and practice with a butter knife. Go slow and learn how to flip the blade with just your fingers. Practice this several times a day. Slow and easy. Listen to the sound as the razor glides over the leather. Blades: I recommend the B/S/T on this forum. Old Sheffield will adequately fit your needs. Brush you have so the last thing you'll need is soap. Pick what you like. Some of the old timers even used Ivory bar soap. I recommend using a double edge shaver under your neck and chin. A lot easier to get a bbs shave for a beginner. Lastly, get some Florida Water as an aftershave. Smells good and is very inexpensive.Your new wife will like it.

Again, thanks for all the great advice!
My distillation of all the great suggestions above is:
- get two razors
- paddle strop to start - I’ll look into the pastes/honing stuff after I get the shaving part happening
- practice with a butter knife - heard this one a few years back, but never did it
- commit to using only an SR for one year - this appeals to me in particular, my mind works this way - I’ve done numerous 30-day-challenge-type things and the idea of marking days off a calendar learning/doing something new works like a charm for me.

I’m going to start off shaving in the afternoon when I get home from work - no time constraints. Maybe if I had unlimited time, I could do the whole face every time, working up to shortening the time required. I’ve got a friend who gets up at 3:45am every day to ensure the time needed for his SR shave!! I’d need a nap by 10am if I did that...

We had one of those Art of Shaving stores here in Indy for a few years (my alum block source) I talked to a dude there who started using a straight razor by throwing out all his other stuff and committing - thing is, he shaves his face and head every day! Said he cut himself every once in awhile, but just stuck with it.

Anyhow - enough glib chatter from my end - thanks again, folks.