Thanks for the forum!

Hi guys. Just transitioned to DE a couple weeks ago and am absolutely loving it. Did my first 3 pass (WTG, XTG, ATG) today and am shocked to see the absolute best shave I have ever had with no irritation! Now I find myself wondering how much better/cooler a straight shave might be (I think I am gonna be in trouble with the wife!) While looking and trying to find a decent starter kit that won't get me thrown out of the house for spending too much I thought I would join instead of just lurking! Thanks for a great community and all the knowledge...I can't imagine trying to figure this stuff out without the internet!

Hi Jss4fish,

Welcome to SRP. If you thought a DE shave was great, then you'll be surprised with how much a better a shave you can get with a straight razor. Now, while a great shave can be had with a DE with little investment, if you are willing, a straight shave will be a lot better. The main things you will have to invest though to achieve great shaves with a straight are time and patience. There is a learning curve that we must all endure, but it is worth it in the end. As for a decent starter kit, you should check out Straight Razor Designs or whippeddog.com. The razors from SRD are honed by Lynn himself and the gear available from Larry at whippeddog is great if you're on a budget and just want to wet your toes before pulling the trigger all the way. And if the wife complains too much, just take a quick inventory of her collection of shoes/purses and you should be fine. Keep us posted and enjoy.

+1 to ReardenSteel's post.

There's also a bunch of razors for sale in the "Classified" section of this site, and a few inexpensive ones at

Razors for sale « Holli4's Straight Razor Page

. . . Charles

Welcome to SRP.

There are some good links above, but also check out HNSB's website, "straight razors for sale". Aside from the reasonably priced razors, he also has a couple brushes up there for about $30 and an SRD premium I strop for $60....which is a steal. Your whole starter kit could be around $110, including the razor.

Thanks guys! Great info. One thing, the general advice for a starter razor seems to be 6/8 half hollow. Also I want to make sure my first is a good shaver so any problems are me not the razor. Most vintage seem to be 5/8... Any thoughts?

I love 5/8 and above. 6/8 and 7/8 are my favourite sizes. 5/8 fits very well into the little hollows of your neck.

I also prefer full hollows to anything else. I have a couple 1/4 and 1/2 hollows, which I like, but not as much.

If you asked me, I'd start with a 5/8 or 6/8 full hollow blade. (Round point too....)

JMHO

Thanks guys (I think!) I believe I am going to give this a try shortly. Experience has taught me that when I spend this much time researching something I might as well go ahead and buy whatever it is because I will sooner or later anyway! I am debating between one of Larry's sets on whipped dog and ordering a razor/strop set from SRD, perhaps the Dovo 6/8 imitation tortoise. It looks really nice but 3x the price of a set from Larry... I wonder how much anger will be coming my way from SWMBO... sigh I think I am doomed :)

Not too much though! I have ordered a starter set from Larry at whipped dog. Larry was fast in responding to my questions and very helpful! Wish me luck! Oh, who sells suture kits?!

Hold off on the suture kit. Though you may want to invest in a stypic pencil if you don't already have one..:D

Well, the kit arrived today and I finished my first straight shave a few minutes ago. It was very confusing! Lathered up and about 10 minutes after putting the blade to skin all the lather was gone along with most of the hair...but where is the blood? I do have some annoying razor burn on my chin (angle too steep???) but other than that it was pretty nice. I actually felt it was easier than a DE although I know that doesn't make sense... I felt like I had better control of the blade edge than with a DE... Anyway, maybe the cuts will be tomorrow!