Thread: Future Physician on a Straight Razor Mission

Hey everyone. I'm new to SRP, but not new to wet shaving. I've been wet shaving for almost a year and been a member of Badger and Blade for about the same time. Before this, I used to hate shaving...

I'm a 3rd year medical student (almost 3rd and a half) in NYC area and lately I've gotten the urge to try straights. And so, I appear before you all!

I like DE shaving, but I feel as though there is still a higher level of nirvana that can be attained from straight razor shaving (and maybe slightly less razor burn sometimes?). I have absolutely no straight razor gear as of yet, but I am doing my research.

To be honest, medical school is quite expensive and doesn't really allow for many hobbies that involve money and that has been the main reason I didn't try straights earlier. Still, I am hoping to assemble something on my (pathetic) budget.

Pleasure to meet you all and I look forward to more interactions with everyone!

-Eugene

Welcome to SRP !

Welcome to SRP, Eudjinn!

I encourage you to take a look at the classifieds here for some low-cost vintage razors. If you want something new, Straight Razor Designs is currently offering free lifetime honing with the purchase of a new razor, which is a deal that's hard to beat.

Welcome, there is a great resource for info at any meet. You will learn more there than you will in months of reading.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...time-year.html

First off, welcome!

Second, look at the shopping list for beginners link in my sig for what you need.

A good razor can usually be had in the classifieds for less than $50.

Whipped dog has razors for 33 and under. They aren't super restored, but that is how he keeps the prices down. There are quality razors on the site with an edge as good as any. He also has a cool deal where you can trade any razor bought on his site for another for the price of a hone. This is a great way to test out different sizes and grinds without spending much money.

The most important thing with a razor is that it be shave ready. Getting good shaves with a straight is very reliant on the technique you use, and since in the beginning your technique will lack, your shave will be sub par for some time. During this time, you don't want to doubt whether or not the razor's edge has anything to do with it.

Ruprazor filly is, imo, the best strop to start out with. Its made of quality material, but without all the fancy frills. Since your first strop is likely to get nicked up, this is perfect.

You want a decent brush too. I got a tweezerman badger hair for 12 bucks.

Quality soap makes a difference as well. The soap lasts quite a while, so don't balk at some of the prices. Mama bear, Mitchell's Wool Fat, and KissMyFace are my personal favs.

Skip on hones until you are positive you want to stick with straight shaving AND you want to hone your own razors. Plenty of guys send their razors out to get honed by pros and there is no shame in that. (Also, if you buy from a razor from StraightRazorDesigns right now, you get free honing for life, an amazing deal). If you find you do want to maintain your own razors, you don't need a huge set of honeing stones unless you want to actually restore razors. Just an inexpensive cuticle or barbers hone will keep the edge nice.

When its all said and done, you can get started with decent equipment for as little as $50 to $70. If you find that straights aren't for you, you can usually resell your razor for about the same price you picked it up for. So even if you don't stick with it, you will only be down 30 bucks or so.

Welcome to SRP.

You've gotten some good advice above. I'd just like to weigh in and say that skimping on the strop is not an ideal way to start. Having used many strops, I would recommend getting a high quality modular strop. That way, once you nick it, which will happen, you can replace the leather component for a modest sum, but you will always have a nice strop. I really didn't find the Filly to be very effective (I tried it after learning to strop), and while it's serviceable, I would rather spend money on a better strop and a modest razor rather than the opposite.

Welcome again, and enjoy!

thanks to everyone who replied. i have been browsing the classified section here for a shave ready straight. i have also been considering whipped dog. for a strop, i was going to go with a filly, but i am going to take richmondesi's advice into consideration.

i have several brushes (rooney 3/1 super, semogue 1305) and plenty of soaps and creams so I'm all set on everything except the blade and the strop.


thanks everyone again!!

I'm going to agree with Paul. I had the filly. It didn't prepare me for a proper stropping I do like the other strops from that outfit, but I will also agree that a replaceable component would have saved me money and given me a better feedback from the razor. I have since moved on to owning too many strops and while I haven't had all of them for a long time, I can say that the quality strops are worth every cent. I would rather spend the money here than anywhere else as this is the final tuning of your edge everyday, a stropping can make or break the shave for that day.

Originally Posted by Eudjinn

thanks to everyone who replied. i have been browsing the classified section here for a shave ready straight. i have also been considering whipped dog. for a strop, i was going to go with a filly, but i am going to take richmondesi's advice into consideration.

i have several brushes (rooney 3/1 super, semogue 1305) and plenty of soaps and creams so I'm all set on everything except the blade and the strop.


thanks everyone again!!

I would add a Barber hone and a Chrome pasted paddle as well to be fully set

sorry for the ignorance, but what is a "modular strop?" can anyone recommend a specific strop that is better than the filly for a beginner?