Thread: A little Guidance

Good Evening,

Ive been shaving with the "insert razor" into handle razors. Im ready to grow up and try using a true straight razor with the lather.

I was given a shave by an older gentlemen in a barber shop and it was great. My face was smooth and stayed smooth for days.

I would like to know, what would be a good razor, brush and soap to start off with. I have a budget for all items of $300.00.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I just made the jump myself, and I got to tell you, they are two different worlds.
Now that you've got the touch, you have to experience the feel.
I'll never go back

Most important is to make sure you get a razor advertized "shave ready" from either the classified section here on SRP, or on one of the venders advertised on this site. "Shave ready" on other sites can be questionable.

Read up on the wiki about techniques, and watch shaving videos. In a day where fathers no longer teach their sons to shave, its your best bet.

Get a good strop (I like ruprazor for beginner strops) and make sure when you strop you just let the weight of the razor be as heavy as you press on it. (Ie, as little pressure as possible).

Understand that shaving with a straight is highly reliant on technique, and that even if you memorize the wiki, your first shaves will be sub par because your body cannot execute the technique properly.

Hello,

You forgot the strop!

You need to strop on a plain leather hanging strop for 30-60 round trip laps just before each and every shave. The last 3 new guys who came to my home all had difficulties with stropping and beard prep. Please... those are 2 very important steps.

Keep us posted,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Hello,

You forgot the strop!

You need to strop on a plain leather hanging strop for 30-60 round trip laps just before each and every shave. The last 3 new guys who came to my home all had difficulties with stropping and beard prep. Please... those are 2 very important steps.

Keep us posted,

I think these are the 2 most important steps to successfully using a straight.

You could probably get started with a razor, a strop, a brush, a good lather cream, and an aftershave splash or balm (your choice) for under 150 USD.

For razors, look at the classifieds here for a shave ready razor. Or contact holli4pirating or hi_bud_gl. They could both set you up with a nice razor to start with. You could even pick up two razors so that you could practice stropping on one and still have a shave ready edge to use if you mess it up since you have another razor.

For a strop, I would second the ruprazor Filly strop. I haven't tried it, but I've heard decent things about it and it's the cheapest you can get. You'll probably nick the first strop a little bit, so cheaper is better for now. But that doesn't mean you should get one of the 5 dollar eBay strops. Cheaper is better as far as getting strops from reputable vendors (SRD, ruprazor, the list goes on) cause none of their strops are going to be junk...

For a brush, you could check out Penchetta.com. I would recommend this brush as an example: FF20 - Finest Badger 20mm [FAN-FINEST-20MM] - $35.96 : Fountain Pen - Antique Pen - Vintage Pen - Fountain Pen Ink - Penworks AZ
Their "finest knot" is comparable to knots that could cost you 5 times more IMO.

For a soap and aftershave, you can buy one of any of the vendors like SRD. Speick cream is great. I've heard their aftershave is great, too, but I don't know. You could also PM CarrieM and she can set you up with some awesome cream and aftershave balm (if you want the balm). That'd probably be the way I'd go with it.

All that would likely be under 150 USD. Then you can save the remainder of that budget (literally or as a note to yourself) and buy more razors, another strop, hones, etc. if you decide you want to stick to this.

I would recommend getting a strop with a linen component. I've used the Filly, and after that experience, I would not recommend it anymore. I'm not bashing the vendor or anything like that, but that strop just didn't do it for me. Besides that, I can make a pretty strong economical argument for getting several other strops. If you go with a modular strop, you can get a cost effective replacement leather to replace what you damage...

Hello, PMWebb:

First, welcome to Straight Razor Place and to the world of gentlemen shavers. Before proceeding with your search, please float through the Wiki for a wealth of general information on traditional shaving. Also, watch as many videos as you can on shaving with the traditional straight razor. Beyond that, allow me to make some suggestions.

1. The Basics:
a. Straight Razor
b. Strop (combination linen or fabric and leather)
c. Shave brush
d. Shave soap or cream
e. Styptic pencil

2. The selective
a. Astringents (alum block and or witch hazes)
b. Aftershave balm
c. Aftershave or cologne

Any of the vendors advertising at SRP will have quality products. Also, the Classified here will provide you with quality razors at a relatively good price. Some vendors also have starter sets. Stay off eBay until you get to know your way around the straight razor world.

1. New razor: Thiers-Issard, Boker, Dovo, Wacker, Revisor. Shave ready (professionally honed), 5/8" round point in high carbon steel. Fancy scales will add to your tab.
2. Vintage razors: A big variety here. Make sure it's quality.

3. Brush: Start with a 22 mm. pure badger with drip stand. I suggest keeping the price $35.

4. Strop: Get a three-inch. Straight Razor Designs and Tony Miller have excellent strops. I have them, yes, but I also have a soft spot for the Illinois strops — No. 127 and 827, which measure at 2.5 inches.

5. Soaps: Provence Sante Verlaine, Institute Karite, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, Mama Bear, Pre de Province.

6. Creams: Geo F Trumper, D.H. Harris, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Truefitt & Hill, Musgo Real, Proraso, Castle Forbes, Penhaligon's — the list is long. These labels also produce fine soaps.

7. Aftershaves: Your choice.

8. Most important: The desire to shave with the straight razor. Also, patience and persistence as you hone your skill. Throw the clock away and take your time. This is not a race, but a ritual to embrace with a smile and a warm heart.

Good luck. If you have questions, please ask away.

Regards,
Obie