Making the leap...

[Texican]

I thought it would never come to this.

But after going to a dinner with a few friends the other night, a fellow shaving aficionado told me that he picked up a brand new strop at an antique store. When I told him that I do not shave with a straight he laughed, and said, "maybe it is time you made the leap."

Since then I'm finding myself interested in getting a straight.

I don't even know where to start, which straight to look at, where to buy my first strop, etc. I feel like a n00b again.

Anyone care to help?

 

[luvmysuper]

I start my journey tomorrow.

I purchased a practice strop from Ruprazor, and a straight from a member here (shave ready).

A few questions in the straight forum and a few very thorough readings of Joels interactive lesson on straight shaving and I'm ready to take the plunge.


For info - the practice strop was a suggestion from members here. I was going to buy a Tony Miller, but I was told I should get something that wasn't too costly to mess up while I learn stropping, which seems like sage advice.

Good luck.

 

[Texican]

Guido, I start my journey tomorrow.

I purchased a practice strop from Ruprazor, and a straight from a member here (shave ready).

A few questions in the straight forum and a few very thorough readings of Joels interactive lesson on straight shaving and I'm ready to take the plunge.


For info - the practice strop was a suggestion from members here. I was going to buy a Tony Miller, but I was told I should get something that wasn't too costly to mess up while I learn stropping, which seems like sage advice.

Good luck.

That seems wise.

I have a friend here at seminary who shaves with a straight. I think what I will do a few times is watch him prepare his razor before I make the plunge. I'm perfectly happy with my safety razors and I love shaving with my Merkur HD - first real razor I ever bought. But as mother used to say, always dare to try new things.

 

[richmondesi]

You need to contact Craig (Seraphim) and meet up with him... He's close by and if willing (which I'm sure he is) would be able to really help you through the learning curve).

 

[leighton]

The service you'll get from fellow members here is par none. And the quality of the razor they will sell you is great as well. Keep checking the BST for something to pop up. A few of us restore razors and occasionally have a few for sale, which is another option.

 

[netsurfr]

Here is an advance welcome to the world of straight shaving. If you love DE shaving, you will love straight shaving with a little practice and experience.

 

[Seraphim]

Straight shavers at an Orthodox seminary?!

Who knew?

 

[Texican]

Straight shavers at an Orthodox seminary?!

Who knew?

Hah! Well, most of the shavers I know are at St. Vladimir's. I'm pretty fresh faced here compared to most of the seminarians. Though I still keep my Schmemannesque goatee.

 

[Blaine]

I don't even know where to start, which straight to look at, where to buy my first strop, etc. I feel like a n00b again.

Agreed on talking to Seraphim. He'll set you right.

The suggested noob kit is:

- Shave-ready Gold Dollar Straight
- Filly Strop from Ruprazor.com

You can get the razor from Seraphim or Ruprazor, although I would suggest Seraphim since while Ken Rup knows his stuff as good as anyone... Seraphim really is the patron saint of the Gold Dollar at this point. Ken carries one model, however Seraphim has sold several models. Who knows? Maybe he'll be in possession of the mystical and allusive Model 800!!!

This post is as much for other noobs who may be reading, if not more so, than for yourself... since you'd probably hear as much from Seraphim! Ha ha ha.

 

[Seraphim]

Agreed on talking to Seraphim. He'll set you right.

The suggested noob kit is:

- Shave-ready Gold Dollar Straight
- Filly Strop from Ruprazor.com

You can get the razor from Seraphim or Ruprazor, although I would suggest Seraphim since while Ken Rup knows his stuff as good as anyone... Seraphim really is the patron saint of the Gold Dollar at this point. Ken carries one model, however Seraphim has sold several models. Who knows? Maybe he'll be in possession of the mystical and allusive Model 800!!!

This post is as much for other noobs who may be reading, if not more so, than for yourself... since you'd probably hear as much from Seraphim! Ha ha ha.

I actually also only have the "basic model". Blaine, you just happened to luck out on one of the four other models I had avialable that one time.

And I'm not selling my 800's.....

 

[JeffE]

Dude, get a TM strop and then buy the little practice strop that he sells with it. You can't order it separate from him, it's just an "option" for people buying his regular strops.

I wasn't sure I needed a practice strop but ordered one anyway -- it only costs $7.50. Now, of course, I have been using the practice strop and it is completely cut up and nicked from my crappy technique, but I'm so glad I got it.

Trust me, Tony's strops are excellent, and the practice strop makes it an easy decision.