Confused in Canada

Hello Gents,

I have decided to get into SR shaving and have spent the last two months reading as much as I can about it. I have gone from knowing nothing, to being very sure about what to buy, to not so sure (a case of the more you know, the more you realize you don't know).

I am hoping to be able to bounce some ideas off the experienced members here so I make some good decisions. I'm not too consrained by budget, and I dislike the idea of buying more than once. "Buy the best, cry once." :D

So, here is what I think would be a decent setup:
Hart Steel 6/8 round point polished
Castle Forbes pre-shave, cream, after shave
Strop
Rooney or Simpsons brush
brush stand

What do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Wells

That's a great list of gear! The only caution I would throw out is buying an expensive blade and then finding you don't like it.....although the hart you're looking at is in the classifieds from gugi (a GREAT seller and all around great guy) right now!


Edit: Oh and there is no such thing as buy once around here with straight razors! RAD is am epidemic here!!! ;)

Welcome Wells to the forum. I agree with Benjaman Barker go for a more modest blade to start off with such as an entry level Dovo perhaps. Trust me the cheaper razors cut just as well, and are just as cool as the high rent blades. If down the road you still love straight shaving. Then maybe invest in another blade, and go from there.
Have fun my friend!!!

Wells,

Welcome to the forum. Grab a mentor if you can. Ryan82 is in Alberta (Edmonton, I think)....he may be close enought to help, ...one on one.

I would suggest, as the others have, to purchase a modest blade that has been refurbished. Our classifieds are a great place to look, and 99 times out of 100 the blade comes shave ready. Look for a reputable seller and you'll do fine.

On the topic of brushes....that's a whole other can of worms. You'll probably end up buying a few before you settle on the loft and knot you enjoy....so again, something middle of there road to start off. No need to drop $200 on a Simpsons right away.

Soaps....there are good ones and there are not so good ones, and again, personal preference is all over the place. Some guys love Williams, some hate it. Proraso is a good bet across the board, and lathers quite easily under almost any water conditions. You can get it from Shopper's drug mart for $9, and the green or white (either line....) will last at least 8 months.

Strop...now here's where I differ. Get a good one right away. The price for a cheapy is roughly the same cost as the replacement leather from SRD for their Premium Lines. So you might as well drop on a good SRD strop, and when you nick it to heck buy the replacement leather from them. At least you'll be using a quality strop the whole time.

Brush stand, you can use whatever you want. I order mine from Ian Tang on ebay for 1.99 each. I have to wait three weeks to get them, but I order a couple at a time. Black acrylic across the board in my shave cabinet. Function over beauty for me in this department.

That's my two cents man. PM me if I can help with anything.

I made my own brush stand out of a coat hanger and sprayed it with some black paint. Not the prettiest but cost me nothing and it works. I'll buy one someday but for now it's good enough.

Welcome from a fellow Albertan:) Sounds like you're definately going for a good setup there right off the bat. Just make sure the razor is properly/professionally honed so that you don't have to worry about if its the razor during the learning curve. Hopefully its something you enjoy and if you've done all that research to pick your gear it souds like you'll be just fine. Good luck.

Hey Wells, welcome to SRP!

You've already received some great advice, can't add too much more. Shoot me a pm if you need any help. I don't make it to GP often, but give me a heads up if you're ever down in the Edmonton region.

Cheers,

Ryan

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is nice to know there are people willing to help out and bounce ideas off of.

I'm hearing you all loud and clear about buying a modest razor first. Based on that I am reconsidering my choice. My reasons for selecting the Hart were:

1- consistently good reviews, and a reputation for being shave ready
2- classic shaving offers a sharpening service (something I have not yet found in Canada)
3- I'm very hesitant to buy a used razor. Hepatitis lives for a long time and the consequences of contracting hepatitis C are quite severe. My step-father caught it from tainted blood after a car accident. The "cure" was chemotherapy. Daily injections that caused symptoms similar to a horrible case of the flue - for one year. As I was involved with his care this has stuck with me.

I suspect the risk is actually quite low, especially if the razor has been sharpened (removing material), so I wil give this some more thought.

To the gentlemen in Edmonton, well, I might just have to come up with an excuse to come see you. It might cost me a trip to IKEA though :)

Thank you all again for your time.
Wells

Check the classifieds for Members services....sharpening.

I'm pretty sure there's some guy in there from Canada. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Maxi

Check the classifieds for Members services....sharpening.

I'm pretty sure there's some guy in there from Canada. :shrug:

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Oh yeah, there he is. Maybe I'll shoot him a PM when I get my new razor. :)

Thank you again guys. Your help has/will make this process a lot easier.

Wells

If you want to buy something new, from a Canadian source, try Fendrihan -- Fendrihan, Classic Wet Shaving Store

I _think_ they have a honing service, and will hand-hone their new blades. The Dovos will probably need that, the TI's (from scuttlebutt here) may be OK as they come from the factory.

And contact Maxi.

. . . Charles

There's also The Classic Edge, they're in Ontario. The Classic Edge Shaving Store

They also have a honing service and send your razor shave ready with a free hone when/if you mess it up. I bought my razor from them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thuktunflishithy

There's also The Classic Edge, they're in Ontario. The Classic Edge Shaving Store

They also have a honing service and send your razor shave ready with a free hone when/if you mess it up. I bought my razor from them.

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Yes Phil at the Classic Edge is very good, and willing to go the extra yard to make you happy. I'd trust him with any of my blades.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wells

I'm very hesitant to buy a used razor. Hepatitis lives for a long time and the consequences of contracting hepatitis C are quite severe. My step-father caught it from tainted blood after a car accident. The "cure" was chemotherapy. Daily injections that caused symptoms similar to a horrible case of the flue - for one year. As I was involved with his care this has stuck with me.

I suspect the risk is actually quite low, especially if the razor has been sharpened (removing material), so I wil give this some more thought.

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The process of metal polishing is very unkind to viruses, but maybe they can survive? Isopropyl alcohol is a great sterilizer. Childlike regression into fearful states of unseen monsters. Use the alcohol, quickly and thoroughly and be done with it. Get a good vintage razor off the classifieds, no reason for new and/or expensive. If you don't hone your own razors you'll want 2-3 razors anyway. Most people nick their strop, so go for more than one on that, also plan on having a pasted strop for refreshing...

Actually my name is Phil, I am the owner of The Classic Edge Shaving Store. I do all honing for Fendrihan so feel free to contact us for your honing needs. We also give anyone who needs it free stropping and Honing Lessons.

People have been asking why we are down on April 13th with a error message. I am in the process of moveing my Domain, we pray we'll be up and running later today! What a knightmare! Sorry if we are putting anyone out please feel free to email me with any questions theclassicedge@gmail.com

Phil and Jane

Wells it sounds like you're going for a home run in your first at bat with that list of items. I went high end on the brush (Simpson Duke 3) then just went "cheap" with the rest getting a Whipped Dog razor and Poor Man strop kit. I'm looking forward to seeing what you eventually decide on.

Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goodtann

People have been asking why we are down on April 13th with a error message. I am in the process of moveing my Domain, we pray we'll be up and running later today! What a knightmare! Sorry if we are putting anyone out please feel free to email me with any questions theclassicedge@gmail.com

Phil and Jane

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Thanks for this post Phil, I almost had an aneurysm thinking you disappeared and I couldn't go shopping.

After careful consideration I went with the following

Hart 6/8 round point polished
Fendrihan house brand silver tip brush
Fendrihan strop
Castle Forbes pre-shave, cream and aftershave

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. I need to send my razor out as I managed to clip my tap with the edge, but that was to be expected. The learning curve is very steep, but I recently started getting a good lather so that will help. The chin is tricky, but nothing that more practice (and blood) won't cure.

Wells

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wells

After careful consideration I went with the following

Hart 6/8 round point polished
Fendrihan house brand silver tip brush
Fendrihan strop
Castle Forbes pre-shave, cream and aftershave

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. I need to send my razor out as I managed to clip my tap with the edge, but that was to be expected. The learning curve is very steep, but I recently started getting a good lather so that will help. The chin is tricky, but nothing that more practice (and blood) won't cure.

Wells

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Glad to here everything is going relatively well! Enjoy the shaves!

Thanks Phil for the update :-) I also was thinking that your store went under. Im happy all is well and i wish god speed with the new website

Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wells

Hello Gents,

I have decided to get into SR shaving and have spent the last two months reading as much as I can about it. I have gone from knowing nothing, to being very sure about what to buy, to not so sure (a case of the more you know, the more you realize you don't know).

I am hoping to be able to bounce some ideas off the experienced members here so I make some good decisions. I'm not too consrained by budget, and I dislike the idea of buying more than once. "Buy the best, cry once." :D

So, here is what I think would be a decent setup:
Hart Steel 6/8 round point polished
Castle Forbes pre-shave, cream, after shave
Strop
Rooney or Simpsons brush
brush stand

Cheers,
Wells

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The Hart razor is an amazing razor. It is the only razor out there that comes with a killer edge right out of the package! Not to mention they look beautiful. Enjoy that purchase, they are all outstanding products!
What do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated.

I'm sorry, but any razor bought from SRD also comes with a killer edge right out of the package. Shop wisely. :D

I really like the Hart's.

I've had the pleasure to hone a few, and all of them have taken a wonderful edge. As well, the shaves have been brilliant. I'd love to one day add a 7/8 to my collection.