What razor to get as a first time user?

[Joakim]

Hello,

Im thinking about to start using this technique and is looking around for a nice razor that isnt THAT expensive. Was looking on the straight razors on Coming Soon... and found a few intresting:

PRESHARPENED Timor "Blue Steel" 5/8
DOVO Straight Razors

PRESHARPENED Timor "Hamburg Ring" 5/8
DOVO Straight Razors

And a few more.. any recommendations or suggestion to any other razor?

And what else do I need to get started? I was thinking about buying the Straight Razor Sharpening Service from the same site, that way dont need to buy a hone right away right?
Any decent strops for a fair price? Soups, creams? Yeah you get it, what do i need and how much will it cost me?
Are there any "beginner-sets" that isnt too shitty?


Thanks, Joakim.

[junkinduck]

The BST section of the forum usualy has a beginner set or two. If you look around a little you will find Tony Miller of The Well Shaved Gentleman has some good starter strops. Vintage Blades and Classic Shaving are both resspected companys. Brushes can come from Walmt (cheep boar) or go up to hundreds. A member here KENRUP puts starter sets together. he uses good stuff. Both blades you listed would be good shavers with the prehoned option.

Don

[sicboater]

Welcome Joakim!

You are correct in assuming that the sharpening service will keep you from needing a hone. It will also give you an example of a well honed blade in case you decide to learn how to hone.
As far as strops go, I started with an Illinois 827 Russian Imperial and it is a great strop. For less money, I could have gotten a Tony Miller apprentice strop and had a really great strop too.

Brush, something to make lather in, and something to make lather with are all recommended but not necessary. You could use some kind of canned foam or gel, but proper lather and beard prep make a world of difference.

A good inexpensive brush is the tweezerman badger. Sometimes you can find an inexpensive boar bristle brush at your local drug store. A mug of any sort can be put into service as a shaving mug. As far as soap goes, everyone here likes the soap that Colleen and Mama Bear make.


Hope this helps!

[Joakim]

Thanks, sure helps alot!

[scottlp]

you could look at the sets on this page-> Gift Sets & Gift Ideas

I looked at sets like the ones at the link, then made my own selections from an online shop on my side of the CAN/USA border.

Actually, I use an Chinese soup bowl for whipping up my lather. I didn't see a need to buy a special mug or bowl until I had shaved with a straight for awhile and had decided that I was going to stick with it. Most of my purchases where the cheapest options.

I know now that I will buy a better brush, a nicer looking razor and a better strop at some point... when my wife lets me. lol

[Lynn]

I think the Dovo Imitation Tortoise is one of the best starter razors available either in 5/8 or 6/8. Not new Timor fan.

Have fun,

Lynn