Thread: Testing the waters

Originally Posted by earcutter

Not that I know of! Though there are a bunch of places that have starter bundles. They really are good deals if you are willing to spend the money. Have a look at SRD's bundles as a starting point, and then compare if you think it might be the way you want to go.

The only way to get a deal that "cheap" as I know it, would be to buy a good cheap blade here in the classifieds, and then source a cheap strop. That's not a bad idea either, but it might take more time/work. Don't start on eBay - that'll only end in misery until you get a feel for what's what... well that's my take anyway.

Thanks for the response. I am familiar with ebay issues, I currently use small army of DE razors. I have been stalking the classifieds here too. What really caught my eye recently was a Bokor Edelweiss but I think a vintage is the right way to start. By "cheap" I meant low monetary risk. I figure I can PIF any stuff that I acquire that is outgrown.

Originally Posted by jfro

Thanks for the response. I am familiar with ebay issues, I currently use small army of DE razors. I have been stalking the classifieds here too. What really caught my eye recently was a Bokor Edelweiss but I think a vintage is the right way to start. By "cheap" I meant low monetary risk. I figure I can PIF any stuff that I acquire that is outgrown.

Bahjahahaha - be careful with the term "outgrown" . I thought I hated Razorock XXX. Thought of Piffing it... a couple of weeks ago I pulled it out for whatever reason - yup, I love it now lol.

You don't "outgrow" a blade, a strop, a rock... it just becomes part of your collection .

Bokers are nice BTW

Originally Posted by earcutter

Bahjahahaha - be careful with the term "outgrown" . I thought I hated Razorock XXX. Thought of Piffing it... a couple of weeks ago I pulled it out for whatever reason - yup, I love it now lol.

You don't "outgrow" a blade, a strop, a rock... it just becomes part of your collection .

Bokers are nice BTW

haha, if I had a dime for every time I said "oh I can PIF it"...

I actually just got ahold of Larry as well and am ordering a bundle just like that. I will be ordering withing a week or so. Please let me know how you like what you get from him. I will be curious to see how it works for a novice straight razor shaver like myself.

Originally Posted by mj232k2

I actually just got ahold of Larry as well and am ordering a bundle just like that. I will be ordering withing a week or so. Please let me know how you like what you get from him. I will be curious to see how it works for a novice straight razor shaver like myself.

It will work great! I am rooting for you too mj323k2 - have you any experience with wet shaving at all? Prep is huge... well I think it is. It's fun anyway, all the soaps/creams and stuff...

Originally Posted by mj232k2

I actually just got ahold of Larry as well and am ordering a bundle just like that. I will be ordering withing a week or so. Please let me know how you like what you get from him. I will be curious to see how it works for a novice straight razor shaver like myself.

I just paid for mine! I am hotly anticipating it.

I have been using brush/cream and bowl lathering for years. But mainly around a beard. My grandfather died unexpectedly this summer and I was on a plane for his funeral in the matter of hours after hearing of the news. The shocker was that my grandmother, unbeknownst to us was fairly progressed in her Alzheimers/dementia. She wouldn't have known me with my beard of the last 4/5 years. I used my last cartridge after using the beard trimmer on my face an hour before I left for the airport. I have been using DE since. Straights seem to be another great way to shave and another aspect of the hobby.

I have been given several vintage straights to "see if you can fix em up" Eventually that is a goal of the hobby side for me. For the near time being I would just like to get a decent shave technique down.

Unfortunately I do not, but I have been doing some research. I do not even know what kind of shave soap/ cream to use. I mean, other then the gillette ha. I really would like to learn the ins and outs of this, but it is so hard just watching and then doing. I really wish that this was a tradition in my family so that I could have someone with experience actually show me and be there to tell me if I am doing something wrong. The last thing that I want to do is to buy a 300 dollar razor and ruin it because I do not strop or hone it the correct way. I really enjoy this forum also, there are so many helpful people....and I really appreciate that!

Sorry to hear about your grand parents. I love the idea of using a brush and bowl. I love the whole aspect of straight shaving, but it is all so expensive. I think what really got me into thinking about it was when I went to a barber shop by my grandparents house. When I walked in, it looked like I jumped through a portal and was now in the 50's. It was amazing. All older males that worked there. They offer a hot shaving and massage for 7 dollars, and I decided that I would try it out. It was the best experience I have ever had shaving. My face is very sensitive, but I did not have any problems with it. Ever since then, I have been hunting down information and trying to find a reasonably priced razor to try out. I am not wealthy by any means so spending 2-4 hunderd on a razor just is not in my budget. I will make my budget work if I end up liking it, but to just try it out, I cannot justify spending that much.

Originally Posted by mj232k2

Unfortunately I do not, but I have been doing some research. I do not even know what kind of shave soap/ cream to use. I mean, other then the gillette ha. I really would like to learn the ins and outs of this, but it is so hard just watching and then doing. I really wish that this was a tradition in my family so that I could have someone with experience actually show me and be there to tell me if I am doing something wrong. The last thing that I want to do is to buy a 300 dollar razor and ruin it because I do not strop or hone it the correct way. I really enjoy this forum also, there are so many helpful people....and I really appreciate that!

You don't have to go high end to get a great cream. My go to is actually fairly pedestrian. Proraso Green pre/post with C.O. Bigelow cream (made by Proraso and avail fairly regularly buy 2 get one or buy 1 get one at your Local Bed Bath and Beyond in the mall.) I also have an unholy love of drug store aftershave and boar brushes (favorite is a Semogue Owners Club in boar) If you can fend off acquisition disorder you can shave well, and on the low end of cost.

Originally Posted by mj232k2

Sorry to hear about your grand parents. I love the idea of using a brush and bowl. I love the whole aspect of straight shaving, but it is all so expensive. I think what really got me into thinking about it was when I went to a barber shop by my grandparents house. When I walked in, it looked like I jumped through a portal and was now in the 50's. It was amazing. All older males that worked there. They offer a hot shaving and massage for 7 dollars, and I decided that I would try it out. It was the best experience I have ever had shaving. My face is very sensitive, but I did not have any problems with it. Ever since then, I have been hunting down information and trying to find a reasonably priced razor to try out. I am not wealthy by any means so spending 2-4 hunderd on a razor just is not in my budget. I will make my budget work if I end up liking it, but to just try it out, I cannot justify spending that much.

When you get your whipped dog, or whatever other set up you may get, shoot me a picture so we can compare our purchases. When you get your set up, and if you feel comfortable with it - shoot me an addy and I will PIF you some cream and aftershave samplers I can put together (just let me know what you get in the mean time so I don't send you something you tried already) - Pax et Bonum