It was only a matter of time...

Hi everyone:I want to introduce myself. I've been wet shaving since high-school, and I used a brush and creams for a good while then sold everything 5 years ago. For various reasons, I'm back. I think the Merkur safety razor I once used to use and the disposables I use now are really one in the same because every time I get a straight razor barber shop shave, my face feels different--like silk--and my attitude is great. It's different than any safety razor shave--hands down! And that's what I'm after: difference, a real shave. Being a nostalgic luddite, I miss the vintage vibe, the time, the ritual of it all. I'm happy to reenter this real shaving community, and now I want to do it right: with a straight edge razor. I've been reading a lot of posts and youtube videos, but I still have some basic questions. I'll ask them here, and if they're out of place, please let me know and I'll post them in the appropriate forum. First, I used to use Crabtree and Evelyn's best badger brush ($35), which worked fine for me. Is there another brush you all would recommend that's $40 or under? Also, before I drop a whole lot of money on straight razor outfit, I'd like to start practicing on something less expensive but still good enough to do the job correctly--whose inexpensiveness will not get in my way. What is the least expensive straight razor or shavette I can acquire to hone my skills?Thanks all!!

welcome to SRP!
and welcome back to shaving. the least inexpensive way to get back into to swing of things is to check out the starter kits from the various vendors in the classified area or vendor section. you have to decide vintage or new. vintage razor and starter strop can be had for around $55, new razor and good strop will be around $125-$200. after that the sky is the limit. dovo, boker and thiers isard are the 3 main quality commercial razor makers left. but quite allot of the vintage is as good or better. the choices are yours to make. of course you location would help easiest at first to deal in your own country/ region then say live in norway nad buying from a vendor in australia.


jim

Thanks for the welcome. Any thoughts on the shavette or barber shop razors I see on websites? They sell from 8-30 dollars--a good starting price point. I'd like to try something inexpensive like this while I practice, and then I can more wisely invest in a real deal straight edge shave. Any recommendations?