Thread: hi there

Hello again, Justaneye:

Take your time and be methodical about your purchase.

You will need a razor, strop, brush and soap (or cream) and you're all set. I don't know what your budget is, but a starter kit offered by some of the vendors here might fit.

Regards,
Obie

+1 on SRD!

Their prices are cheaper than the competition plus you get the added bonus of having your razor honed by Lynn, the foremost expert in honing in the industry. Not only that, but you get a certificate for another free honing with the purchase.

OK... so Lynn does the honing for SRD. Good to know. Thanks!

So a couple questions - first, I went peeking over at WhippedDog. Are the ~$20 "back up" (or whatever) razors something worth looking at as a n00b? I was originally looking at a bit higher of a price range (~$40-$50), but if I can get one that cheap, I can be sure to get some other gear (I planned to get the Filly strop, but I have an old synthetic brush that will suffice for now, and I have a cheap soap... was just going to use those... would buy a new brush and look into better lather stuff if I have a bit more room). Thoughts?

Second question - I keep reading about "creams" for shaving, but have no idea what I'm looking for, or where to look. I know that if I did a general search for shaving cream I'd come up with a bazillion canned products. I know that at one point I used (with my cartridge) a product by Aramis that came in a tub... called "lab series". Any feedback on going back to that? Any other suggestions of something a bit more affordable?

While I put together cash for the blade and strop, I've decided to start working at my lathering skills and much of the other pre-shave things to nail down prior to even starting with the straight (that much less to worry about when I get there). Got a shave oil that I found at CVS... can't remember the brand at the moment... got a super cheap soap there too... Figured I'd work on the skills. Tried last night and had no luck with improving my shaving experience at all. Probably no help that my wife decided it would be a prime time for an argument... but I ended up hacking up my face. I know that I'm failing at making a reasonable lather, for one, but I've been considering working towards the "Uberlather".

Thanks!

OK... so Lynn does the honing for SRD. Good to know. Thanks!

So a couple questions - first, I went peeking over at WhippedDog. Are the ~$20 "back up" (or whatever) razors something worth looking at as a n00b? I was originally looking at a bit higher of a price range (~$40-$50), but if I can get one that cheap, I can be sure to get some other gear (I planned to get the Filly strop, but I have an old synthetic brush that will suffice for now, and I have a cheap soap... was just going to use those... would buy a new brush and look into better lather stuff if I have a bit more room). Thoughts?

Larry makes those razors really sharp. I just received one from him and while I haven't shaved with it yet. It looks intimidating. I think one of those would be great to get started. He has a Torrey on there that looks pretty nice. Honed and shipped. Seems like a great way to start on a budget.

Second question - I keep reading about "creams" for shaving, but have no idea what I'm looking for, or where to look. I know that if I did a general search for shaving cream I'd come up with a bazillion canned products. I know that at one point I used (with my cartridge) a product by Aramis that came in a tub... called "lab series". Any feedback on going back to that? Any other suggestions of something a bit more affordable?

I got Porasso to start with and really like it. I think several folks have mentioned that plain old Williams soap is good for starters.

While I put together cash for the blade and strop, I've decided to start working at my lathering skills and much of the other pre-shave things to nail down prior to even starting with the straight (that much less to worry about when I get there). Got a shave oil that I found at CVS... can't remember the brand at the moment... got a super cheap soap there too... Figured I'd work on the skills. Tried last night and had no luck with improving my shaving experience at all. Probably no help that my wife decided it would be a prime time for an argument... but I ended up hacking up my face. I know that I'm failing at making a reasonable lather, for one, but I've been considering working towards the "Uberlather".

The Filly is a great strop I have one and like it. The Whipped Dog's Poor Man set up is a close second I feel. But I have chopped through both of them very nicely.


Let us know what you come up with.

--Shoki