Thread: Restarting...

I did the whole routine several years back with the Dovo/strop set form SRD, etc...
Got as far as successfully shaving my cheeks and part of my neck, finishing with a M3...
I gave up for the time: moving, career change, getting married - now I’ve got time to conquer this dragon.
I have no gear except for a nice brush - does SRD still have starter sets?
What about this modular paddle?
I am a minimalist - would love input on gearing up with a solid-no-frills razor, strop, and minimally perfumed soap...
I respect everybody out there with these vast collections of different lotions and soaps, but I prefer it simple...

Thanks

Good way to get back in the saddle is to order a starter kit form Whipped Dog, cheap and always functional:

http://www.whippeddog.com/

You're on your own for any soaps or creams, but Proraso is a good starting point and easily found.

Really Minimalist, but Cheating:

- Feather Artist Club
- Brushless Soap (pre de provence 63)


Minimalist:

- a vintage straight (two is better)
- brush
- 4/8k stone
- SRD’s Modular Strop with 1 micron diamond paste, and CrOx (.5 micron)
- soap

If you get a straight even remotely honed, you should be able to bring it back (short of chipping etc) with a 4/8 combo stone. You could shave off of the 8, but running it over the 1 micron and then .5 will give you an outstanding edge and all with the minimum of stuff.

I say two razors because when your starting, sometimes you just have to walk away from your blade if you can’t get an edge on it, and we don’t want to see you going back to your cart!!

Once you get all your tools, Vow to shave with nothing but a straight for a year. You’ll be darn near proficient after that lol.

GL!

You’ll probably get a thousand different answers but here’s my suggestion.

Razor - get a Friodur. They are widely available, exceptional razors, consistently good, and they won’t put you in the poor house. And the edges on them are typically long lasting. They are also stainless steel and gives a new guy a little forgiveness. Get two if you can.

Strop - let your budget dictate. I recently picked up my second Tony Miller strop. I think it’s a good value and will be all you’d need for life.

Soap - my personal preference is for Barrister and Mann. I think it is the best performing soap available and I’ve tried damn near all of them. If strong perfume is not your thing, get their Fern scent. It’s light and just kinda soapy smelling. It doesn’t stick with you and is quite mild.

After - I prefer Ems Balm, unscented. It’s great if you need a little soother and moisture.

Honing and maintenance is your call. You can do it yourself or pay someone. A 12k Stone will keep you running on your own for a while after initial honing.

Whippeddog is a good place for low cost items. Right now there is a srd strop for sale on this forum. Great deal on a good strop. I agree that two razors are the best. And have them honed by a pro. IMO you dont want to be shaving with a razor that you tried honing. Pay someone to hone for you. Learning needs to be done on a perfect edge.

Welcome to SRP. BTW, whippeddog used to sell vintage razors for a low cost. But last time i looked i didnt see any. Might be worth a call to see if they have any. Most of the time you can get restored vintage razors here that are hand honed and ready to go, but this is a bad time of the year for sales. But its worth a look.

So check out the B/S/T thread.

Welcome back. A vintage in the bst is a good safe bet for a good quality vintage in good condition that will come shave ready. Strops are personal preference. I prefer hanging strops but the paddle does give the option of an easy touch up for your razor. As for soaps there's plenty of unscented to choose from.

Hello and welcome to SRP.

The B/S/T thread here is a good place to begin your hunt.

I do suggest, as others already have, to have two razors. You need a backup to use when you send one out for honing or repair. It's always good to be able to alternate razors on different days.

Strops, Soaps and brushes are very personal. You can get into each of them very modestly or you can break the bank. My best advice is shop around and try to pick out things that you think are to your liking.

Good luck and enjoy your time here on the forum.

Pete <:-}

I'd recommend you get a cheaper strop to begin with. You'll cut it up a bit in the early stages for sure, everyone does. Buy a good one when you've got stropping fully under control.

Hello and welcome on the forum. A cheap shave-ready SR from the B/S/T, any Solingen is good, a paddle strop, you have the brush, a 3$ shaving soap stick. Nothing more.
I confirm that a newspaper pined on a piece of wood can replace the strop.

Originally Posted by YoWan

Hello and welcome on the forum. A cheap shave-ready SR from the B/S/T, any Solingen is good, a paddle strop, you have the brush, a 3$ shaving soap stick. Nothing more.
I confirm that a newspaper pined on a piece of wood can replace the strop.

Yup, or an old leather belt, some denim, or even the palm of your hand....easy peasey to get back in the game again.

Good suggestion to check out the B/S/T section as well....