Hello from US ARMY in Afghanistan
Hello to all it is a pleasure to be part of this community. I recently gained interest in the Staight blade razors after recently messing around with a cheap disposible one purchased here. I have been reaading through the forums trying to figure out what razor to invest into yet the more I read the more questions I have as to which razor I should buy. I am not looking to spending too much. Since it will b my first straight edge. I have also looked into the classified section. But i really dont know which brand or type of razor to go with. any advice would b greatly appricated.
If any of you know of websites that offer Military discount or better deals than other it would be greatly appriciated. Or if you have a good sharp shave ready razor that your interested in selling please let me know.
Thank much , look forward to replies and metting people
Sgt Miguel Tejeda
330th Military Police Company
Hello from US Army in Afghnistan
Hello, Sgt. Tejeda:
From a Vietnam veteran, welcome to Straight Razor Place.
First of all, please take a look in the Wiki for a wealth of information on many aspects of wet shaving with the straight razor. Beyond that, here are some suggestion to consider:
1. Start with a 5/8" Dovo "Best Quality" or Tortoise shell razor. These are good and reliable razors. Make sure they are shave ready, or "pre-sharpened," as some sites note. Some of the vendors listed here carry these razors. It is important that the razor be professionally honed. Factory edges on razors, in most cases, are not adequate for the professional shaver.
2. For a strop, which is essential, try a Premium I Leather Strop that is 3" from Straight Razor Designs. This strop comes in two parts, fabric and leather, which can be replaced should you cut your strop — the hardware on the original strop is already there and can be fitted with the new leather or fabric.
3. For a brush, try a 22-mm. pure badger. Badger brushes come in four grades of softness: pure, best, super and silver tip. Some manufacturers lump "best" and "super" in one, and some use different descriptions. Generally, though, you have four choices. The pure badger is a good starter. Keep the price here around $35 or so.
4. Soap or creams make up a long list of choices. Here are some quality soaps which many gentlemen at SRP use: Mama Bear, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Geo F Trumper, Provence Sante Verlaine (one of my favorites), Straight Razor Design, Truefitt & Hill, Tabac, and so on. You have many choices.
5. Truefitt & Hill, Taylor of Old Bond Street and Geo F Trumper offer some good choices in creams. Pre de Provence, Institute Karite, Musgo Real, Proraso, and many others also have quality stuff. For now, one of the creams or soaps is all you need until you feel your way around.
6. You will need some kind of a mug for your soap or cream. A wide coffee cup will do. You can create lather in the mug (should you use cream), and should you choose soap, keep the puck in the mug. Make lather directly onto your face.
7. Keep a stypic pencil on hand for nicks. The PX should have something like that, or the vendors here have them.
8. For aftershave, your taste will dictate what you should buy.
For starters — unless I forgot something — this is all you need. Most of all, take your time honing your skills in a) stropping, b) making lather and c) learning the ways of the straight razor. Don't rush it. Do your research here. Watch as many videos as you can. And ask questions.
Most importantly, though, stay safe, and come home flying the banner of a gentleman straight razor shaver.
Regards,
Obie