Thread: Ready to begin...

Hello, Johnny:

Your grandfather was wise.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place, where all the information you need on traditional shaving is tucked in the many corners of this website. Look around. If you don't find the answer, post it and you'll have the answer in no time.

Aside from scores of other important reasons why I choose a straight razor, and occasional double edge for backup, is because there is something logical in having one sharp blade skate across my Hollywood face rather than three or four blades mow everything in sight.

The barber who prefers a multi-blade cartridge razor probably has never even heard of Pinaud Clubman, the golden nectar of the old time barber universe. I would find another barber.

Which brings me to this point: I suggest heading immediately for the straight razor. If you feel you need a stopover, however, start with a quality double edge razor. I always recommend the Edwin Jagger 89L for its overall quality.

That, of course, is only a transitional tool on the way to the straight razor. Think of it as the bridge between musical themes in a composition. Either way, you will be amazed how fast the multi-blade cartridge razor will become history.

You're an artist, and you know the workings and delights of art. Straight razor shaving is an art.

What razor should you buy, what brush, soap or cream — the ladies and gentlemen of SRP are more than willing to help you with suggestions.

Thanks for reading. We are delighted to have you with us.

Regards,

Obie

Again… thanks for all the great responses and suggestions…

My inclination is to go ahead and get a straight, with a pack of bic sensitives on the side for finishing, travel, or time crunches… this will motivate me to get over the hump of diving in and getting started…

As I mentioned before, I am somewhat of a minimalist, so having numerous shaving implements would annoy me… what I’d really love is to be so adept and comfortable that I NEVER shave without a straight razor…

So that is where I am heading… probably looking towards the Dovo Best Quality Set from SRD… unless I can find a place here in Nashville that is reputable and well-stocked (feel free to chime in if you’re from the area)…

One last question – and I’ll stop dragging this thread out…
I have a hard time with some of the krazy prices I’ve seen on brushes… at least they seem ridiculous to me… now, don’t get me wrong, I used to own a custom made Japanese oak snare drum made from wood aged 10 years, and hollowed from a single piece of log (list price $2k)… So I get the whole “artisan” thing… I’ve seen the Maybachs and Bentlys of brushes – are there any that are more like a Honda? Y’know, good, solid quality without some hand-carved, dinosaur bone, jewel-encrusted handle...?

Perhaps someday, as this straight shaving thing becomes a solid part of my deal, I may invest in something fancy… but for now, I’m just trying to get started…

Thanks, ladies and gents!

Johnny,

That's a great question about the brushes. There are very good brushes at lower price-points. I gave my brother an Omega Professional boar brush that cost $11 that he has been using for a while. Yesterday, he came by my house and I let him use my $250+ Rooney Finest 1/2. He sheepishly told me that he actually preferred the feel and performance of his brush to mine. That's not an opinion shared by a huge group of guys, but it illustrates that after you break in a quality boar brush, it will be an excellent tool for your lathering needs. You can spend as much as you want on a brush, and I have. For me it's worth the priced difference, but I'd have a hard time arguing that the same is true for everyone.

Hope this helps

I had the same problem when I started out, I found I didnt mind paying good money for the razor, or the strop or even creams and have since found out I dont mind paying for stones. The brush on the other hand, troubled me. I chose to go with the Wee Scott I found at SRD. It was the cheapest but still high quality badger brush I could find, if you go that route dont do like I did and waste money on the brush holder you will find the brush doesnt quite fit, there is a reason for the name. I have since realized I will be buying a bigger one someday, but it has served me well up to this point and will continue to do so for some time.