Greetings from Az

Hey Everyone,

My name is Daniel, 26, student writer living in Arizona. I've been pondering about getting into straight razor shaving for a while now and have been scouring the web for ways to get started (kits and all that). This site has been a huge help.

I'm still searching for a good starter blade and strop. I almost bought a Krieger. Eek. Thank goodness I found this forum before I made that decision or else I might have been turned off to straight razors. I thought the low price-tag was a bit skeptical.

Even then, I'm looking for something that would help my get into this art form without breaking my bank entirely. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm eager to get started and have decided not to shave again until I get myself a straight razor (So please hurry with the advice!!)

All the best,

Daniel

Hi and welcome to SRP.

Sounds like you are in the right mode for learning this old school way of shaving:)

As for equipment, I'd suggest a starter kit from Straightrazordesigns.
Those kits will basically give you all you'd need, and they are not at all expensive.
Another option would be to check the classifieds here at SRP.
Lots of great razors at reasonable prices in there.

If I may, do check out the helpful links section on the front page, it is filled with all you need to get off to a good start:)

Good luck, and do keep us posted on your progress!

+1 on the sets mentioned above. Great quality for the money, and everything you need to get started. You'd find it far more expensive and time-consuming to assemble a decent starter set with individual purchases...

I live in AZ, not far from Phoenix, and unfortunately, first-class shaving stores are thin on the ground here. If you're in the general area, there is an Art of Shaving in Scottsdale, but I'm not a big fan of their products. Meanwhile you're waiting for your first straight razor, you might want to treat yourself to a good shave at the Men's Club Barbershop, also in Scottsdale. They don't sell the equipment, but they do carry Truefitt & Hill, which is one of my favorite product lines.

Welcome to SRP.

+1 on Birnando's advice for checking out SRD or the classifieds here. As for the comment about not shaving again until you have your straight razor, and this is not meant to discourage you, but don't expect the best shave of your life the first time you use a straight razor. There is a substantial learning curve involved in this art, it may take a few weeks or months before you start getting decent results. My best advice once you get your gear is not to run to the bathroom and try shaving, but click the link on the home page entitled "First Straight Razor Shave" by Lynn. Once you have read that, then read it again. Heed his advice and your journey will be much more enjoyable in the long run. We all had to start at some point, so we have all been down that road. The really cool thing about this is one day, everything just clicks and you get the shave you have been striving for all this time. At that point, there is no turning back and you'll be so happy you switched to a straight razor. I really can't give you an estimate on how long before that moment comes as it's different for everybody, but it took me about 2 months and 1 stypic pencil. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Daniel,

Welcome to SRP. Happy to have you aboard.

If you're in the market for a low-cost, quality straight razor, check the SRP classifieds first. I believe that one of our members is offering a razor strop deal for beginners as I write. I would avoid the Gold Dollar razors though.

Next would be to look at Whipped Dog. That website offers some good, cheap razors and strops. Many of the vendors who advertise here, especially Vintage Blades and Straight razor Designs, also offer good deals on razor & strop sets.

Finally, there is another vendor who, if you'll pm me, I can supply you with the name of his website so you can look at what he has in terms of good quality, low-cost vintage razors.

Again, welcome aboard.

Hi Daniel and welcome to SRP!! Good advice all above. I spent 17 years in Prescott, and when you have your feet wet and learn your way around straight's, I was always able to find some real treasures in the antique shops there. I would advise you to stay away from Ebay, and as far as that goes, any used razor from a unknown source until you know what to look far. Lynns DVD is a great source of information. Best Regards and happy shaving, wildhog

Welcome fellow Desert dog! I am in Tempe and yes, we suffer from a severe lack of wet shaving stores. I have used classicshaving.com, Vintagebladesllc.com, thesuperiorshave.com, and whippeddog.com. All of them have phenominal customer service and offer a mouth watering array of razors and gear. If you are on a budget and want a razor that will work every time with a strop and a barber hone all for under $90, well Larry at whipped dog can help you. If you want eye candy, well sky is the limit! Just make sure you get a professionally honed razor and a decent strop (any of the abovementioned sites will have everything you could possibly need).