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Hello all,
I've recently been researching the world of straight razor shaving and after several weeks of reading online I finally decided to join SRP. It seemed like every time I found any useful information it usually links back here. Anyway, I signed up and found a nice beginner razor on your forum classifieds. Now I need to start getting a strop and some other gear.
I look forward to being an active part of the community and learning from all of you guys with experience.
welcome this is the place to be as far as straights are concerned.
Welcome, By the way what part of Miss.
West Point, MSQuote:
Originally Posted by paco
Welcome!
So far as strops are concerned, the Visa's the limit, or the Master Card as the case may be. Seriously, you can spend as little or as much as you like. There are good and bad strops out there, and while most of the bad ones will be cheap, not all of the cheap ones are bad.
Have you been wetshaving at all before this? If not you'll need to pick up some soap and a brush, and maybe a bowl too. You'll likely appreciate having an alum block or at least a styptic pencil too as nicks and cuts are possible with straights. All said and done, you can be set up for life for as little as $150; set up for now for as little as $50. It all depends on your tastes and budget.
The classifieds are obviously a good place to look for all your shaving needs, but the local vendors here, advertizing in banner ads and anyone unde whose name you find the badge "vendor" will supply your needs. More specific details can be provided if looking for more specific things.
Best of luck!
Jim
Well I got on the classifieds and found a nice razor that Sham was selling. The razor and shipping was cheaper than most of the new razors I've found. I also e-mailed him and asked about strops. He recommended the Filly Strop from Kenrup as a good beginner strop. I'm still looking for a good brush and a nice soap or cream so I'm open to suggestions for those also. I've been reading some of the older post and have learned a little bit. It looks like I've found a nice forum here with a knowledgeable group of guys though. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge you guys have and look forward to my first shaving experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJim
J,
I've heard a lot of good things about the Filly, though I've not used one myself. I'm of the more budget conscious shavers (read poor ;) ), so I'm usually interested in the deals that are out there, as opposed to getting that one dream razor or strop or hone or whatever.
Whippeddog.com is Larry's site and he sells a basic strop kit with a balsa strop for maintaining the edge for quite a while. He also sells razors, hones, brushes, and other odds and ends on the cheap.
Bestshave.net is a site I've got a couple horse hair brushes from; the number six and number seven specifically. The prices are great, the shippings not bad, even though it's over in Turkey. The number seven's my favorite, though just checking the site, it seems the number seven is either discontinued or out of stock...there were no number fives when I last looked. At any rate, the brushes I got from them had a chemical smell for a couple of weeks but with use that faded.
At the super budget end of things, most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc) carry Van Der Hagan soap kits that give you a boar brush, cup, and soap all in one for about $11 and no shipping! The VDH brush is what I started out with and it gets the job done, though there are some who complain it sheds out (not my experience so far). There are definitely better brushes out there, but it's serviceable. For a price vs. quality soap the VDH is pretty darned good...not high dollar, but a great entry level soap. Of coures, this is all IMHO.
There are plenty of other guys out there who offer other odds and ends and at good rates too...if I tried to list them all I'd end up forgetting a few anyway...or there'd be more by the time I got done listing them! Kick around here in the different forums and you will find a plethora of options!
Perhaps the best thing I've found here since joining last winter, is that it's a great community of guys and gals who help one another out, without any games or gimmicks. Top notch.
Peace,
Jim
Welcome to SRP JXLT. Happy to have you aboard.
The VDH brush/soap suggestion is a great one. That should get you started brush and shaving soap-wise.
Omega, Vulfix and Vie-Long also make very good boar brushes at low prices. Vulfix even makes a combination boar/badger brush (The Grosnevor). It is more expensive than the boar only brushes I just mentioned. However, I have found it excellent at handling both shaving soaps and creams.
Just my 2 cents.
Take care--and smooth shaving.
Just thought I'd update everyone. Since I joined I've bought 3 straights, a shaving mug and a scuttle from Georgetown Pottery. I picked up the Filly from KenRup and I do have to say even though it's inexpensive, it is an excellent strop. I'll probably upgrade to a better (nicer) strop soon. I started out using Ogallala Bay Rum shaving soap but after I tried Taylor of Old Bond Street's Rose I decided I liked a cream much more than shaving soap. However, I prefer the Bay Rum scent. I recently placed an order with Al Raz for his Bay Rum Calypso shaving cream and I fell in love the first time I used it. I also went with a Tweezerman badger brush and I must say it is an excellent inexpensive brush.
Anyway I'm now looking at strops and I like the strop I have but I do want a strop with a little more draw to it. Maybe something in the 60.00-100.00 range. I'm also looking to upgrade to a silvertip badger brush. I've been looking at the Thater brushes. I'd like something in the 100.00-150.00 range for a brush and I believe I'd prefer the bulb shape over the fan shaped brush I currently have but I want something close to the same size. So I'm open to suggestions.