Thread: Hello, Complete Newbie from NC Here

Hi all,

Many thanks for the vast database of knowledge here - I've read through a fair amount of it, it's a bit overwhelming!

I'd very much like to give this a shot, and I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to do so a relatively simple, inexpensive way. I've always been a 2-3 blade disposable guy, so I have no experience whatsoever, and I'm not sure where to begin. A few things I'm wondering if anyone would mind sharing their thoughts:

1. At a minimum, what do I need to purchase to begin - razor, strop, soap/brush/bowl? Also, what is roughly the minimum I should expect to spend for all this?

2. Do I need to special order everything, or might I be able to be able to find any of the above at a local store? (I'm in the Raleigh/Durham area - every chain, but no specialty stores that I can find)

3. Any recommendations for specific items that would be both cheap and affordable? I don't know where to start other than googling all 20+ recommended razor brands and buying the cheapest blunt/rounded 6/8 that says it has a full hollow grind.


Thanks a lot!

I'm going with....

1. razor, strop, soap/brush/bowl?
I'd look at the classifieds for a razor 6/8" or 5/8" round point and make sure it says it's shave ready or buy a new one that's shave ready
Soap: Go to your local drug store, they may have Williams or Van Der Hagen (VDH) probably the cheapest soap you can get. My favorite store bought is "Real Shaving cream aka RS" a little more $ but lathers like crazy and has plenty of cushion and slickness
Strop: I bought my first one at Star Shaving supplies best price and in my opinion a decent strop, still my favorite
Shave Brush: get at least a Best badger or a Boar brush. Nothing wrong with the Van Der Hagen set to start out with, maybe $10? at your local drug store for the cheapest one.It should come with a puck of soap, bowl and a boar brush. They have another set that's nicer for around maybe $30? Check these places, CVS, Rite aid, and Walgreens

Hope that helps

Thanks a lot for the tips. It looked like they carried the VDH kit at Walgreen's, but the clerk said he hadn't seen them in stock for a while, and it appears none of the area stores carry it.

After doing a little more googling once I got home, I might just recreate the kit with decently reviewed stuff with free shipping from Amazon ("Tweezerman" badger brush for $10, Col. Conk Bay Rum soap for $4, Alum bar for $9, bowl/mug from my kitchen).

Unfortunately, I think I may have underestimated the entry price point for straight razors, though - I don't doubt that $80 is a good deal for a shave-ready razor, but sadly, it's a little steep for me right now.

I'm considering trying the Parker SR1 "shavette" razor, though. It was reviewed pretty well, and the few threads I could find here seemed to generally approve of it as a see-if-you-like-SRs razor... and, of course, it's only $20.

Decent/bad/terrible idea? Thanks in advance!

I can't answer from experience on the Parker SR-1 Shavette. From thing's I've heard about these "type" of straights they are harsh, and an actual straight is much more forgiving. I typically use a Straight razor on my face and a DE to shave my head with great success. Have you ever thought about a Double edge safety razor, to start out with until you have the cash to get a decent straight? or you may want to check out - Whippeddog.com I've heard good thing's about his stuff for beginners.
i was in Myrtle Beach visiting my brother the other year, and picked up a straight for $15 it was in perfect condition, no rust, no chips, just a light cleaning sanitized and honing it's my favorite blade to use. So don't under estimate an antique shop find, you can always send it out to be honed.

I started with the Parker Sr1, it definitely got the job done but it is a little harsh. It was interesting enough to get me hooked on straights but harsh enough to prompt me to order a traditional straight and strop.

If I knew about whippeddog.com back then I would have ordered a beginner strop and shave ready vintage from him. I hear allot of great things about them.

The razor might not be pretty but it's shave ready and likely not much more then a Parker with some blades. Plus the strops are prefect for beginners.

Check it out. Good luck in your search. The initial outlay may seem like allot but it saves you tons vs cartridge razors in the long run.

~Zero

Most of my rotation are $8-10 Flea Market/ Antique Store razors. A strop may be the difficult/expensive piece unless you can find a vintage one in good shape. Whipped Dog is a good source for affordable strops. Your first strop doesn't need to be really expensive as you will likely cut it a couple times learning to strop. Soap is easy, either VDH, or Arko shavestick. You can buy either from Amazon.com for about a buck and change piece and they will typically last several months. Lots of affordable alternatives for brushes. I think you're on the right track with your Tweezerman, I myself have a VDH boar brush that I seem to use most of the time (despite having other alternatives. ) Aftershave and cologne use whatever you use.

As far as shavettes are concerned, I can speak with some authority on the subject. I started out a DE and SE safety razor guy. When it became obvious that I was going to have to try a straight, I started with a shavette as kind of a basic training for the eventual transition. On the negative side, you should plan on cutting yourself...ALOT. Shavettes don't require much of an excuse to cut the crap out of you even if your technique is basically sound. Most beginners obviously do not have great technique so make sure you have several styptic pencils on hand. On the positive side, if you can ride through an initial month or so of blood letting, you develop better technique and once you can consistently get nice bloodless shaves with a shavette, the transition to traditional straights is a piece of cake. What's more, it provides a nice low expense, baby steps transition into straight razors. You can master your shaving technique and not worry about honing or sending out a razor to be honed then rounding it out on a strop. Once your technique is good then you move on to traditional straights and learn stropping, honing, etc. Once all that is sorted out, you'll probably not want to shave with much else other than a straight.

Whatever you decide straight or shavette, I would also recommend a nice DE safety razor. They're a nice backup to touch up areas you can't get to initially with a straight (for me it was my chin area). Above and beyond that, they are great shaves in their own right for days when you're in a hurry or just need a break from open razor shaves (at first you probably won't feel like straight razor shaving every day.) Some final words of advice:

• Do your research
• Take your time. The new method of shaving will not happen over night, there's a learning curve and you shouldn't be in a hurry for anything. This applies to your larger goals as well as individual daily shaves, take it slow and easy. At first this extremely difficult (especially if you're a Type A personality) but totally necessary. What first drives you crazy about the slow methodical approach to shaving will later become that Zen like quality that more than anything else makes you enjoy your daily shaves.
• Don't force anything! If the razor quits moving simply lift it up, reset it and start again. I learned the hard way that the "put some more ass behind it" approach will result in lots of bleeding. When shaving, light pressure on the razor is totally paramount do not bear down on any razor while shaving.
• HAVE FUN!

Interesting, thanks a lot, everyone.

whippeddog is a great tip. Seems like I should definitely check out the local antique/thrift/flea market shops, given that I'm in no hurry and on a limited budget. I hadn't thought to look there, but I will. On a related note, think any of these would be worth making an offer on if I have no luck? The only one from the recommended brands list (Henckel's) has a damaged blade.

The DE suggestion is another good one; sounds like if I'm looking for a "transition" razor, it would be a safer choice than a shavette. Think the one on whippeddog would be my best bet?

Thanks again for the help, this is slowly becoming less overwhelming...

I have a Griffon -- it's a "known-good" brand.

$100 for three usable razors and a hone might be a good deal. But you should add the cost (in time and trouble) of either:

. . . learning to hone them, or

. . . sending them out to be honed.

I suggest that, if you buy them, you should put them into a drawer. Then get a razor from WhippedDog, and learn to shave with it.

_Then_, think about sharpening the Craigslist razors.

. charles

PS -- this suggestion is based on hard-won experience.

Hello there and welcome to SRP!

All of the suggestions by the gentlemen above are excellent ones. I suggest you also take your time reading the beginners guide here if you already haven't.

Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The wiki here is truly a treasure for every straight/wet shaver. Hope you find it just as helpful.

Happy shaving!
Hal.

The craigslist, Griffon & Henckels are good blades. Can't answer on the hones. you may want to ask about them on the honing forum here. I'd look at the blades, check for: Major rust, cracks, major chips in the blades,uneven hone wear, look for cracks in the handles at the pins, if none of this is visible go for it. Make an offer your comfortable with, you may end up with some good blades for cheap, or not. POST PICS!! Then Clean them up with some polish maas or Mothers, sanitize them and send them out to be sharpened.

Just seen the pic in the craigslist ad. The one blade is shot, the other three look like they could be saved, hard to tell from such a small pic. the hones I think are barber hones hang onto them if you get them, you'll use them. I'd say make them an offer.....