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Minimum Equipment required to get started

Hi Guys,

I've recently made the switch to DE shaving from a Schick Hydro and i'm loving the results and the new found interest in shaving.

I'm thinking about getting a straight razor but wanted to know what the minimum amount of equipment i could buy to get into this would be.

I obviously need a razor so recommendations on a good beginners one would be appreciated.

I realise i need a strop to keep the edge sharp but do i need anything else like stones to resharpen the edge when it gets dull? How long with daily stropping will a razor last before it needs to be re-sharpened on stone / by a professional?
 
I would recommend a set up from whippeddog.com Many here, including myself started off this way and I have nothing but good to say about Larry's service. Larry (the owner of whippeddog) makes it very easy and affordable to get into straights.
 
Broken record here, Whippeddog sight unseen razor, the two strop package comes with balsa and the stuff needed to refresh it. DONE!!!!
 
In addition you will need the following if you do not have them on hand:

A puck or tub or shaving cream or soap not that can stuff, you want something that you have to add warm water to to make a real lather,
A shaving brush of your choice (boar, badger, synthetic, hybrid,...)
A strop, if your new a cheap one, save the expensive one for after you tear up the first one, you will!;
A truly shave ready straight razor from whomever, whippeddog sounds awesome,
After shave (splash and/or balm)
patience alot of patience

optional but recommended: Alum block and/or styptic pencil

Also did I mention patience.
 
I can get by without a special tub or brush, or even specialized shave soap. Also can generally survive without a strop for quite a while since hand-stropping works reasonably well, and I never use aftershave.

In other words, all I really need are a sharp razor, some kind of soap or cream, and facial hair. Other stuff can be nice, but no problem starting or even sticking with the basics.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations guys.

I already have a ton of creams and soaps as well as brushes, styptic pencils etc as I've just recently got into DE shaving.

How long would it be between each professional hone / resharpen of the razor, provided that I strop correctly each day?
 
~6 months before a touch up (you can do that yourself, its different to a full hone-job) if its your solo razor
 

Kentos

B&B's Dr. Doolittle.
Staff member
You could also post a WTB for a straight from someone local to you. There are quite a few veteran shavers here from Down Under.
 
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