Thread: Newbie from Tennessee

Hello all!

My name is Chris and I hail from Middle Tennessee (about to move back to West TN, however). I am just now starting to look at shaving with a straight razor, and I feel I have come to the right place to learn.

I've been using a Norelco electric for years and I'm just tired of it. Obviously I know the electric isn't the best, but I've just gotten used to never getting a close shave. Time for that to change!

I'm not looking to spend a whole lot starting out, especially since I'm about to be unemployed once I move here at the end of March. I have my eye on a few blades in the Classifieds section that are in the ~$50 range, but I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm just looking for something good, but not too pricey.

Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you guys!

-Chris

Welcome from the Tri-Cities TN area, The classifieds are a good bet for starting out right.

Welcome to SRP Chris. Go ahead and plan on grabbing you a decent latigo strop to start out as well. Best of luck!

Thanks guys!

I found this site, and it looks like I could get everything I need to get me going for a decent price: Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

Thoughts?

This is the email I sent him:

Hello Larry,

My name is Chris and I'm looking at getting a decent starter kit for a good straight razor. I'm trying to keep the price low, but at the same time I want to make sure I get something that will last me for years to come. I've done a good bit of research so I'm aware of what all I need, I just need to purchase all of it, together if possible. I stumbled upon your site and it looks like you are the man to go to when it comes to straight razors!

I've browsed your site a good bit and I like what I see. I think the Sight Unseen razors would be best for me. I'm unsure if I should purchase the flawed one or not, perhaps you can help me on that. For $13 more, I think it'd be probably best to stick with the flawless.

As for the other stuff, whatever you recommend. I would like to go ahead and purchase a hone and strop. It looks like the poor man's strop and the micro abrasive hone might be suitable? As for brush and soap, it looks like the $24 brush and soap kit would do?

I think I might just have to get a vintage case as well. Just because it looks cool.

Thank you in advance for your help. I must admit I'm still a bit overwhelmed with all of this, despite the research I have done. I've been using an electric shaver for years due to my sensitive skin, but I keep hearing about how, if done properly, shaving with a straight razor can yield amazing results.

Thank you,
Chris

Although I have no personal experience with Larry, I think you're making an excellent choice.

You may want to wait with buying a hone for a while and see how you like the straight shaving. Many people here advise to practise honing on a different blade until you have mastered it, otherwise you'll inevitably slip up and ruin your only razor!

Originally Posted by Laurens

Although I have no personal experience with Larry, I think you're making an excellent choice.

You may want to wait with buying a hone for a while and see how you like the straight shaving. Many people here advise to practise honing on a different blade until you have mastered it, otherwise you'll inevitably slip up and ruin your only razor!

I was planning on watching many tutorials on how to hone, and fully researching how to do it on here, before I attempted to do it on ANY blade. I was thinking about picking up a cheapo one to practice with as well. Definitely wouldn't want to ruin a nice one!

I'll let you know what Larry replies with.

Originally Posted by Chreees

Hello all!

My name is Chris and I hail from Middle Tennessee (about to move back to West TN, however). I am just now starting to look at shaving with a straight razor, and I feel I have come to the right place to learn.

I've been using a Norelco electric for years and I'm just tired of it. Obviously I know the electric isn't the best, but I've just gotten used to never getting a close shave. Time for that to change!

I'm not looking to spend a whole lot starting out, especially since I'm about to be unemployed once I move here at the end of March. I have my eye on a few blades in the Classifieds section that are in the ~$50 range, but I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'm just looking for something good, but not too pricey.

Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you guys!

-Chris

I see others addressed razors... Since you are switching from
a Norelco electric to a blade you have a choice of blade to get started.

While you are looking into blades, strops and honing options
give some attention to "lathering" or shave preparation.

Switching from an electric to blade takes a bit of doing.

You can get started for small amounts of cash by using
a single blade tossable like the Yellow Handle BiC for sensitive
skin razors..... they are budget and will let you focus on lathering
and letting your face get used to a blade.

The brush and soap are the same you will use with an open blade.
The tossable does not need a strop or for you to know how to
strop it.

Do avoid tossables with multiple blades. The multiple blade
razors can be very unfriendly to some faces.

I have friends that still use tossable razors but have discovered that
a hand crafted good shave lather and face preparation brought joy back into
their life.

The beginner wiki page outlines what you may need but it is important
to remember that a shave brush, shave soap and learning how to
use them pays big dividends in terms of the enjoyment of shaving
with any blade. So shaving with a tossable, cartridge, double edge, open straight
razor they ALL begin with face preparation and building a good lather.

Shave creams like Proraso (CO Bigelow) are easy for a beginner.
Soaps like Williams take practice but are inexpensive.

Brushes like the $8 VDH brush are OK but Omega 10098 Professional Boar shaving Brush
for $14 is better. Better yet for many is a small badger brush like a Van Der Hagen Badger
Brush or a Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush is often worth the extra investment.

So while you ponder the blade begin wet shaving with a common blade and
a good shave soap or cream.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

I see others addressed razors... Since you are switching from
a Norelco electric to a blade you have a choice of blade to get started.

While you are looking into blades, strops and honing options
give some attention to "lathering" or shave preparation.

Switching from an electric to blade takes a bit of doing.

You can get started for small amounts of cash by using
a single blade tossable like the Yellow Handle BiC for sensitive
skin razors..... they are budget and will let you focus on lathering
and letting your face get used to a blade.

The brush and soap are the same you will use with an open blade.
The tossable does not need a strop or for you to know how to
strop it.

Do avoid tossables with multiple blades. The multiple blade
razors can be very unfriendly to some faces.

I have friends that still use tossable razors but have discovered that
a hand crafted good shave lather and face preparation brought joy back into
their life.

The beginner wiki page outlines what you may need but it is important
to remember that a shave brush, shave soap and learning how to
use them pays big dividends in terms of the enjoyment of shaving
with any blade. So shaving with a tossable, cartridge, double edge, open straight
razor they ALL begin with face preparation and building a good lather.

Shave creams like Proraso (CO Bigelow) are easy for a beginner.
Soaps like Williams take practice but are inexpensive.

Brushes like the $8 VDH brush are OK but Omega 10098 Professional Boar shaving Brush
for $14 is better. Better yet for many is a small badger brush like a Van Der Hagen Badger
Brush or a Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush is often worth the extra investment.

So while you ponder the blade begin wet shaving with a common blade and
a good shave soap or cream.

Thanks for the reply.

I definitely will NEVER use a multi-blade razor EVER again. Those tear my face up so bad. Why I've been using an electric so long. But people keep telling me that straight razor, if used properly, will not irritate my sensitive skin and will give me the closest shave possible.

My brother just told me that he has a straight razor and I can have it. Only problem is he's in Afghanistan right now and won't be back for another few weeks. So I'm debating going ahead and picking up something in the meantime to get me started.

I went ahead and purchased a "sight unseen" straight razor from a site I guess I cannot mention on here due to the rules (my last post that mentioned the site when I was inquiring about them was removed). That was $41. I also picked up a cheap strop, a micro abrasive hone, and a silvertip badger brush and soap set. Total was $101. I can't wait to get started!

I'm going to be also getting my brother's blade and strop here in a few weeks, so I'll have one spare blade to practice honing on (I'm thinking his will need it). Obviously I'll practice on which ever blade is not as nice, as I know I'm bound to mess up at first. But I've already watched several vids and overall I feel confident about the entire thing.

I've already received several PMs, but if anyone has cheap straights they wouldn't mind letting go, I'm more than happy to take them off your hands so I can practice with them, or just have nice blades to start building a nice collection!

Thanks for all the great help thus far. This forum is amazing!

I also just ordered (2) 5.2 oz. tubs of Proraso shaving soap. Along with a 3.6 oz. Proraso Pre-Shave cream.