Thread: Strops and Brushes- Aren't they all the same?

Nothing is ever the same. They may look the same, and perform the same task, but rarely perform the same. Some folks feel they have to start with everything new, nothing wrong with that. Some start with vintage thinking to save a few bucks, or just because they love the history behind something old. I fall into the latter category, hence my Othello, Torrey, and W.H. Morley and Sons Clover.

Then the strops and brushes. The most expensive aren't always the best, IMO. The best brush I have is also the cheapest. It started rather stiff, but a little hot water and some of my wife's hair conditioner has produced a great lather producer. My expensive brush turned out to be a marshmallow. I started with an Illinois 835 strop and quickly nicked it up. Could never produce a good edge with it, but time and practice will tell. The strop that works very well for me is the one I got from gssixgun, a member and vendor here. The leather is mounted to a nice piece of Oak, and if you follow his instructions, works exceedingly well at producing a very clean, smooth edge. It's one of those things where starting at the beginning and a little trial and error, pays dividends with less money spent and more experience gained.

Good Luck and good shaving.

No they are not the same.
No you don't have to spend more.
YOU will have to learn to shave before you know whether or not the equipment choices are good for you . And then you will only know if you try something else. Yes then it will start to cost more :<0)

No strop or brush is ever the same. They all do the job some better than others i started with a shavette i bought in a pharmacy in the middle east as well my first brush. I wanted to see if i would even like the ritual that i now go through in the morning. A friend turned me onto s/r shaving but like i said i spent 3 dollars on a shavette after 2 months of that i bought a real s/r from SRD a Ralf Aust 5/8 round point. I now have two strops from SRD and four straights all from different makers now my wife questions my sanity. Now you have to try different creams and soaps which one will you like the most who knows. Hope this helps and maybe i did not ramble too much. Have a good time with your new hobby.

When starting out, it is good to get a good quality straight razor to start off with. A beginners strop and a decent brush. Everything costs money and a lot of these straight razor companies know that a beginner who is serious about this art form will be upgrading their equipment. Most offer a starter set. The reason they offer a starter set is that they know a person starting out doesn't need to spending a ton of money on something they might be "iffy" about keeping up. Better to walk away from a few dollars then a lot of dollars. They know a novice straight razor shaving will have problems at first. Not stropping correctly, maybe not keeping the blade oiled or dried after shaving. Always good to ask questions...... And as time goes by and a person gets better and more knowledgeable, they will invest in better equipment and other goodies.

For me, I hate to shave, it is just something I have to do to get out the door.

So if I can shave with a vintage piece of art, Strop, Brush and Razor, infused with a lovely sent and slick, thick lather, it at least makes a chore enjoyable at the start of the day.

No, they are not all alike, any more than an Ekorne’s recliner is the same as an overturned 5 gallon bucket.

Do they do the same thing, kind of… but not really?

It does seem lately there are a number of new shavers looking to do so out of economy, and it can be done on the cheap. I expect in many parts of the world, much of the low cost/quality shaving products are used daily with acceptable results.

And that is the key word… different for each of us, you can lather with a one dollar paint brush, use canned or bar soap and strop your $20 razor on your belt or jeans and get acceptable results… for you.

Buy the best you can afford and learn to use them to their maximum potential.

If you learn to shave with a Spike or Spanish Point… you will learn to shave with a light hand... Pain is an excellent and expeditious teacher.

Ralph Aust makes excellent razors, although I would of preferred to see you purchasing the the round point for a first blade but most spike or spanish points are muted by the manufacturer. Hopefully you wont stab the tragus of you ear when performing that first cheek pass so take care. The latigo strop I think is great choice really good strop for the money that provides a lot of feedback and as others have already said, good draw to help keep your motion in control. Pure badger brush are also a nice brush that wont break the bank and has a good amount of backbone and wont get too floppy on you.This brush not as soft as the silver tips but a good performing brush that certainly will give you everything you need. Now soap is certainly a subjective thing but i'm going to recommend a nice soft Italian soap like Razorock XXX which is easy to lather not pretentious and works just great. That's my 2 cents I hope you enjoy the journey as much as all of us here.

I'd like to pop in Barrister & Mann Latha as a first soap. It is very reasonable at $10 for four ounces and it a top notch performer. I will rate it above RR and it is also made here in the US.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

If you learn to shave with a Spike or Spanish Point… you will learn to shave with a light hand... Pain is an excellent and expeditious teacher.

Just for the record: Ralf Aust Spanish point razors (as well as his square point ones) come with a muted tip.

Originally Posted by Razorfaust

.....Hopefully you wont stab the tragus of you ear when performing that first cheek pass so take care. ....

Tragus... had to look that one up.

Learn something new every day.

After using straight razors for over 35 years, I can say that razors, brushes, and strops do in fact differ (a lot) in looks, performance, and quality of build; for the most part, you get what you pay for. However that being said, the cost of many such items is NOT a definitive indicator of overall quality. My favorite brush of the entire stable is a $20 Omega boar. I prefer it to brushes which cost me over 4x that amount.

Same with razors. My Ralf Aust blades I prefer to some others I own which were much more expensive. Not to say the other more spendy razors are sub standard (were that the case, they would not remain in the quiver).

I only have two strops, a Herold Russian oil tanned and a Tony Miller Steerhide. Truth be told, I don't see much difference in the two other than Mr. Miller's craftsmanship is simply outstanding as opposed to my Russian which is not a completely hand made product. Both are nice strops though.

Same with soaps/creams. Cella, TOBS, and AoS will always remain among my all-time favorites cost notwithstanding.

...all in what YOU like is really what it boils down to.