Thread: Couple of Questions.

I bought two razors and a strop off of one of your members earlier this week.
I dont have the following: Strop paste, badger or horse or any other kind of hair brush, lather specific soap, mug, pre shave oil. Now naturally I have shaving cream. What of the missing items listed above are absolute must have's and will the lack of any of the abovementioned items stop me from being able to enjoy a shave? If anyone has kit or a package deal that includes most or all of my missing items for a reasonable price I would appreciate it. If no one has one available can someone point me in the right direction of where I could get one. And after I actually receive my items i will fire off a few questions on proper procedures. Any help is greatly appreciated guys. David.

David,
Any mug will do for now and both soap and brush can be found in the shaving section of any Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Eckerd, etc.... drug store. Burma Shave, Surrey, etc.... all make less than $10 brushes. Soap may be Williams, Surrey or Colgate in these stores and is about $1 to $2. your strop will likely be fine without paste if noew or reasonably used. Older strops may be a bit dry but will still get the job done if your razor is already sharp.
Dull used razors? Well different stuff is needed. A hone, maybe a pasted strop, abrasive pastes and some instruction.

Tell us about the razors and strop and we will be better able to help you.

Tony

Well here it is. Razor number one is a Henckels #276 mirror finished blade and shiny off white celluloid handles, blade was hones and tested once to make sure it was shave ready. Razor number two is a Red Injun, H Boker & Co. full 5/8 blade has a morror finish blade also honed and tested at least once to insure shave ready. The strop is brand spanking new.

Sounds like 2 really nice razors and since they were honed and tested you are in good shape as far as sharpness is concerned.

Since your strop is new, and I am assuming it is one of Gerorges strops it probably has the very slick reddish surface. You will unlikely need a conditioning paste or dressing for quite a while.

Sounds like you are set for equipment and just need to visit the local drug store for a brush and soap.

Tony

Nifty, according to priority mail shipping standards should be getting here tommorow. Just in time too i need to shave.

Just my two cents here.

Now that you have the tools the next areas are shave prep and technique.
For me, the most important element is lots of hot water on the face to soften up the whiskers.

lLet us know how it goes and what your beard prep routine you use.

I'm planning on using the LUSH brand Ambrosia Shave Cream without a brush to apply since it goes on super smooth with no foam and has provided me with incredibly smooth cartridge shaves when I use it. Of course, this is all theory right now, but it should dispense with need for any brush.

X

It's 930 in the A.M. here in NYC and I am so excited jumping in my seat at work. There isn't even a gurantee it will get here today. Let alone now, have to wait till at least 11. Anticipation what a killer.

Damn that was me.

Welcome to the group. I just want to add that you do not need to spend a fortune on everything. However I noticed that you too are from NYC. If you want a laugh there is a place on Madison Avenue and I think 46th call the Art of the Shave. Expensive but interesting scents.

RichZ in NYC