Thread: Hello from Alabama

Howdy all, I am brand new to straight razors and would love to get hooked up with a mentor. I have just graduated from college 9 months ago and have finally settled down in my new job and making enough money that I am ready to start taking care of myself for once!

I have been reading through the wiki's and browsing around as much as possible for the past couple of days, and figured it was time I joined the community said hello and introduced myself. So, HELLO! This site has an incredible amount of info and I can't wait to get started shaving right.

So, who wants to give this newbie a hand?

-----------------------------------------EDIT--------------------------------------
So, let me tell you guys what I am thinking so you can correct me and kind of help me along. For my first set-up, the things that I think I want are:

Razor: No specific preference yet and I really want to pick up a good used one from this site for <$50 or $60. I know a 5/8 rounded edge would be good, but I am open to specific suggestions available. I am not in a rush either so I can wait a couple of weeks if I should, although that will be quite hard to wait that long!

Cream: Not dead set, but was thinking of Castle Forbes "Lavender" or Proraso Shave Soap. Leaning more towards Proraso.

Aftershave: I really love the Old Spice Classic. If I should look at a different cream to pair with this please recommend. But, if this is a really awful choice of aftershave I am open to switching.

Brush: Vulfix Pure Badger or Best Badger (not sure on size).

Strop: Was thinking of getting one on eBay. I am open to whatever you guys think would be a good used one for me to nab up.


Please let me know your thoughts and I will appreciate any guidance with my first purchase!

Thanks again guys!
-Steve

Hey Steve,

Welcome to SRP! You've come to the right place to get answers. Check out the classified ads or SRD when searching for gear. There are a lot of options out there and it can be overwhelming. Castle Forbes makes great products although they tend to be pricey. I'd spend my money on a good razor, strop, and brush and go with something more "middle of the road" on soaps/creams. There are a lot of good soaps & creams that aren't hard on the budget.

We have a couple of guys here from Alabama, myself included.

Good luck and happy shaving. Congrats on graduating and joining the "real world"!

Thanks for the warm welcome and the invite to the group! <2 hours and I've already been invited to a group - Awesome.

I didn't see anything in the classifieds that really peaked my interest for a razor. Guess I will just wait a bit

What would you recommend for a cheaper alternative than the Proraso?

Welcome to the madhouse. Proraso is cheap and a tub will last for months, it's a great all purpose shave soap. The vulfix is an excellent brush, I have one in my rotation. I'm sure you will find a razor in the classified's you will find to your liking. Most of the time a seller is apt in honing, ask if they can make it shave ready for you. You should consider a razor from Straight Razor Designs...they are offering free honing FOR LIFE. I would strongly consider it if I were you. A Lynn honed razor is about as good as it gets...

I would advise against buying a strop from Ebay even more than a razor. Even if the pictures look good, they are too often dry and cracked beyond recovery.

When learning how to shave with a straight razor, I read a ton here on SRP, and asked my share of questions. Just like you. There were several times when I had questions that I suspected were so dumb that I didn't have the courage to ask them on a public thread. You said something about mentors. Don't know about that! But, feel free to private message me if you have any preferred to be private questions.

I'm located in Mobile as well. I've been looking for local shops that sell supplies, any luck on your end? I've got about a dozen different useable straights I'm restoring as well if you'd like to take a look at them, though I'm not currently selling any, you may get an idea what you like.

Originally Posted by BT1

I'm located in Mobile as well. I've been looking for local shops that sell supplies, any luck on your end? I've got about a dozen different useable straights I'm restoring as well if you'd like to take a look at them, though I'm not currently selling any, you may get an idea what you like.

I haven't found anywhere that sell any supplies. There might be a place on Royal Street, but not positive. Just walked by it a few weeks ago and saw a few straights with a bowl and brush in the window...but I really couldn't see inside.

I would absolutely love to stop by and check out your collection. I am still not very good at shaving so maybe you could show me a few things as well.

You have a PM.

Found out Target at the mall actually sells the whole setup, although it's nothing special.

Hey Steve,
Glad to see you here. I am next door to you, Lagrange, GA. There is a lot of good info on this site. Take a little time and browse around and educate yourself about this type of shaving and equipment.
Remember you get what you pay for. Cheap is not always the right way to go. You may want to invest a little more in your razor to get a life time of use. I picked up a nice razor in the classified section, can't wait to start using it.

Originally Posted by Melman

I am next door to you, Lagrange, GA.

Speaking of next door... you're just a stone's throw from Auburn.

Originally Posted by crazyjackcracker

... I am still not very good at shaving so maybe you could show me a few things as well.

Steve, I know Auburn is more than a few minutes away, but if you're interested in meeting up I'd be glad to help out any way I can.

Greg