Thread: First razor purchase

Originally Posted by crouton976

Yeah, they were kinda worn out when I got 'e s and throughout my learning process, I think I did 'em in, with the exception of one of the linen components.

I'm definitely interested to see how you come out on the razor... heck, even on the strop too!

I'll keep you updated, I'm at the hurry up and wait phase. I went to some local antique shops today looking around and found a handful of straights all with a fair amount of petina and some pitting one looked as though it had been sharpened with a cinder block. another had the stamp FACE SCRAPER on the tang lol.

One piece of advice I would give is to try and avoid making your own strop at this point.

The GemStar was designed specifically for a beginner to try and help ease the learning curve.

Whippeddog.com also has a "poor mans" strop, so check that out too.

I understand being in a tight financial situation, but its totally worth it to spend a little extra up front than it is to dull or ruin your edge by using less than ideal materials - especially an edge you just paid to have sharpened.

Just my opinion. We all gotta go what we gotta do! Let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by EdG

One piece of advice I would give is to try and avoid making your own strop at this point.

The GemStar was designed specifically for a beginner to try and help ease the learning curve.

Whippeddog.com also has a "poor mans" strop, so check that out too.

I understand being in a tight financial situation, but its totally worth it to spend a little extra up front than it is to dull or ruin your edge by using less than ideal materials - especially an edge you just paid to have sharpened.

Just my opinion. We all gotta go what we gotta do! Let us know how it goes.

I completely agree. I want to do it right the first time and I probably get a good beginners strop. I just mean that I want all of my money going towards functionality rather than decorum or flair. Not saying I dint want that it's just something I'll have to save for a piece at a time. e.g I have a 7 dollar VDH boar brush, it works for me but by God if I don't save up for a nice badger and stand to compliment it

I'd suggest a paddle strop as you first one, because it is SO MUCH EASIER to keep your edge flat and your stroke consistent. SRD has some good ones for not too many $$$ as do others that who are partners here.

VDH set is a good starter. It works just fine. All you need to start is a shave ready razor, soap, brush and strop that work.

Fancy stuff can always come later. And then more....and then maybe some more....

All I know is I have a bathroom full of brushes, soaps, creams, AS, mugs, scuttles, more soaps....

[I'QUOTE=EdG;1189818]VDH set is a good starter. It works just fine. All you need to start is a shave ready razor, soap, brush and strop that work.

Fancy stuff can always come later. And then more....and then maybe some more....

All I know is I have a bathroom full of brushes, soaps, creams, AS, mugs, scuttles, more soaps....[/QUOTE]

im excited to start a collection of awesome smelling soaps. in the soap section someone recommended Ogallala bay rum.

If interested in inexpensive, great scented soap I have two suggestions.

First is Mikes Natural Soaps. Great scents, easy to use, and hand made USA.

Second I just started using. Stirling Soap Company. 5 bucks a puck. Super easy lather, amazing scent. Also hand made. Great stuff.

There are lots of high quality soaps and creams, all at different price points. There is lots of info in the soap and creams section here.