Just Registered and Already Going Crazy

I though I would join this forum so I can take a peek at all the cool straight razors you guys post but not buy one myself. I have a DE on the way and thought I would just wait until I had enough time with it before moving to straights.

Within hours I've scoured countless threads and have already started picking out some entry level Dovos that I would want as my first straight as well as looking at strops from SRD, Tony Miller, and Superior Shave. This place is going to make me very poor and happy :D

We seem to have that effect on people. It is a truly a fun hobby with many great people.

Buy what you like and build your collection over time as you can afford it. If on a budget you can get started for as little as 50.00 or as much as 500.00. It is all up to you and what you can afford and want to spend

I think you're right that I should build my collection over time. It's definitely hard to start off with a low budget set up after seeing all your guys' awesome gear but I think I should take it as my budget allows which at the moment doesn't allow for much.

So I ended up just emailing Larry at Whipped Dog so I stop getting tempted. We'll see what I end up with.

Mods: I realize this is more of an intro thread so could you guys just move it there? Thanks!

Hi,
I'd spend the amount needed to get a razor you really like. You don't HAVE to spend a lot of money on a lot of gear, but you probably will; I introduced my 21 year old son to SR shaving and gave him a razor. He hasn't even got a strop (he uses his leather belt). He still only has one razor. I wouldn't RECOMMEND this extreme minimalism, but you could probably get away with two razors, one hone, one strop and a Chinese soup bowl for a buck fifty.

Welcome Timebomb! Sounds like you have a bad case of SAD (shaving acquisition disorder) already. Don't worry we all are sufferers, you're not alone. Don't even try to find a cure or a 12 step program, they don't work. Anyway, they're for quitters! Have fun!

Thanks for the welcome and comments guys. I understand now that anyone who says straights save you money is only right to an extent. I'm 23 and I've been shaving for about 6 years and I haven't spend a single dollar up until now on shaving gear. I've always gotten those free Gillette razor giveaways and free shaving cream.

Carl: I think I will get a whippeddog razor as a test razor that I'm not scared to practice on or mess up. I really want to figure out honing too and I don't think I have to courage to try and learn honing with a nice Dovo or a TI. Eventually though I will get a nice razor; maybe a NOS vintage one. As much as I like building a collection I've realized I get tired of things quickly except for my absolute favourites so when I buy I nice razor I will buy the one of my dreams.

Mike: I definitely have a bad case of SAD. Like I said my order for a DE, brush, soaps, and cream haven't even come yet and I'm already looking to buy a straight!

Welcome!!
Take it slow with the straight, there's lots of different skills involved, shaving, stropping, lather making and honing.

I would start with the DE to learn lathering, and get a pro honed razor to take honing out of the equation at first.

Just give in friend, just give in...

Most interesting that you never know when SAD will cause you!
I was shaving just with 2 razors (one was present for my Birth Day) and one paddle strop (also present for the Birth Day) for more then 1 year, I only bought cheap Twezeerman brush, soap, take bowl on the kitchen and after few month order proraso cream... and I was very economical. But then my wife present me just set of 2 dovo pastes - black and red, and here it goes! I understand that I need one more strop to use them, while searching for strop I found great stone proposition... after stone arrive I understand that I need razors to try on them...so now I'm also waiting for 2 more razors.... and I can't stop!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timebomb

Mods: I realize this is more of an intro thread so could you guys just move it there? Thanks!

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Done.

Otto
Moderator

Hello, timebomb, and welcome to Straight Razor Place. Well, the straight shaving ritual starts with a little step first and you have already done that. You will enjoy the ride.

vancouver eh? I'm from Victoria! I started out with one razor and not knowing anything at all with what to do with it. It wasnt even nearly shave ready(ouchies) but its been 3 months now and ive got 6 razors two strops and half a barber's hone(broken antique i have to hone width wise instead of length wise) I'd say start out slow and with the more modestly priced things to get a feel for and practice with. A cheap boar brush from shoppers and a wide latte cup work well together (my lather bowel is a 2 dollar latte cup from the great canadian super store). Depending on what you are looking for, you could build a good 7 day set out of finds off ebay for a decent price, though there is no guarentee they wont need some TLC. 'Fendrihan' is a canadian online shave shop, and they offer both from factory razors and razors professionaly honed(it is generally agreed upon that razors from factory are not shave ready) you could get a good basic dovo or timor on that sight for around $100 and it should last you a life time. BTW there is a decent line up of prorasso products available at Shoppers drug mart. good stuff

Again thanks for the welcome guys.

Nuntits: Thanks for the tips on Shoppers and Superstore. I'll check them both out.

I'm talking to Larry from whippeddog about a Wostenholm razor. Is this a pretty decent brand? Being a pipe smoker I like that it has a pipe shape stamped in it.

Here's what I'm currently waiting on:

Edwin Jagger DE87
Simpson Duke 3 Best
Mike's natural soap samples
Speick shaving cream
Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades (5 blades)
Merkur Super Platinum (10 blades)
Feather New Hi-Stainless Platinum (10 blades)
Crystal or "Israeli" (10 blades)
Derby Extra (5 blades)
Red Israeli Personna (5 blades)

Yes the wostenholm razors are very nice sheffield shavers.

Well you can add the Wostenholm and and a Poor Man Strop Kit to the things I'm waiting on.

I've spent $265 on shaving gear these past few weeks and still have nothing to show for it. I'm going crazy now because of all this waiting!