After a year of using my merkur HD I think I'm ready to take the plunge into straight razors. I already have a brush I'm happy with, and tons of shaving creams, etc.. What I need are some recommendations for a decent razor and the gear required to maintain them. I'm kind of hoping to get the razor/hone/paste for around the $400 mark. What would you guys suggest I pick?
ready to take the plunge
- Thread starter cesium
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Well, this is a question that will get you a wide range of opinions. If you want to save money and just stick your toe in the water, here are my recommendations:
Gold Dollar Razor from Rup Razor
One of his fine strops
A coticule for a hone. Ask Bart to help you pick one (only choose this option if you plan on doing maintenance only, but not restoration... It's a versatile stone but you won't want to hone chips out and reset bevels)
First aid kit of pastes from Olivia You could use some cheap balsa wood blocks to apply these too... Or you could put them on the back of a strop or something.
you could also just pick up a barbers hone for cheap if you want a cheaper alternative. The coticule is about as versatile as it gets though...
Gold Dollar Razor from Rup Razor
One of his fine strops
A coticule for a hone. Ask Bart to help you pick one (only choose this option if you plan on doing maintenance only, but not restoration... It's a versatile stone but you won't want to hone chips out and reset bevels)
First aid kit of pastes from Olivia You could use some cheap balsa wood blocks to apply these too... Or you could put them on the back of a strop or something.
you could also just pick up a barbers hone for cheap if you want a cheaper alternative. The coticule is about as versatile as it gets though...
I would recommend buying a vintage straight on BST, shave ready for ~$30... It doesn't need to be a looker as you will be learning if you like it and if you want to take the learning curve.
second item, a strop. RupRazor has a $20 one that's good but I never used it. You will nick the strop from inexperience so don't invest too much on strop #1.
That's all you need!
second item, a strop. RupRazor has a $20 one that's good but I never used it. You will nick the strop from inexperience so don't invest too much on strop #1.
That's all you need!
A shave ready straight off the B/S/T, less than 50 bucks. Performer, not a beauty queen. Filly strop from Ruprazor. Forget about everything else for two reasons.
1. You don't know if this is something you will want to continue.
2. Focus on shaving rather than shaving and honing and...
1. You don't know if this is something you will want to continue.
2. Focus on shaving rather than shaving and honing and...
Just get a razor and a strop. Get the other stuff after you figure out the following:
1) I really like this style of shaving.
2) I really want to hone my own razors
2a) I really really really really am committed into spending the time, effort, and money into learning how to properly hone my straight razor
3) Or I could just use pastes and save a lot of time and money
1) I really like this style of shaving.
2) I really want to hone my own razors
2a) I really really really really am committed into spending the time, effort, and money into learning how to properly hone my straight razor
3) Or I could just use pastes and save a lot of time and money
for the aforementioned $30-$50 razors on the bst, is it best for a beginner to go for a wedge, full hollow, or somewhere in between?
Wedges are generally more expensive so your more likely to find a hollow.
That said, it doesn't matter. Just don't get anything under 5/8" and over 6/8"
But would a newbie be able to take advantage of it?tsk, tsk, tsk... I've got a 4/8 Puma that will outshave anything on the market...
Beat me to it!!!
+ Paul you're a shaving veteran. Clean shaven, baby-faced veteran. As opposed to grizzled.
I say yes
ask Soapbox, if you have any doubts 
I recommend against 4/8" razors because its harder to see the angle on one's face. That and they are harder to control when stropping.
Other than that, they shave the same.
Other than that, they shave the same.
You recommend a 5/8 or 6/8 but not a 4/8 or 7/8. By that rationale, wouldn't a 7/8 help you see angles better and be easier to control while stropping?
Like I said, Soapbox was a total newb to straight shaving and absolutely loved that little 4/8 Puma. The fact that it's a 1/4 grind may be the difference, I don't know. But, the angle and stropping were never an issue (for either of us). In fact, it's the easiest thing that I've ever had in my hands to shave with.
Like I said, Soapbox was a total newb to straight shaving and absolutely loved that little 4/8 Puma. The fact that it's a 1/4 grind may be the difference, I don't know. But, the angle and stropping were never an issue (for either of us). In fact, it's the easiest thing that I've ever had in my hands to shave with.
Not sure if your really arguing with me, or just being silly, but I'll answer.
By the same logic, an 8/8 would be even better. However, its not true. I don't even find 8/8" razors comfortable and easy to wield. A 7/8 is big and harder to whip around your face, and the tang is thicker, also making it harder to flip when stropping. But you already knew that...
By the same logic, an 8/8 would be even better. However, its not true. I don't even find 8/8" razors comfortable and easy to wield. A 7/8 is big and harder to whip around your face, and the tang is thicker, also making it harder to flip when stropping. But you already knew that...
I did know that bigger = harder to handle. It was your argument after all. That's why I'm wondering why you made that point about the 4/8. Like I said, it's the easiest razor in my den to maneuver and provided a terrific shave. It's super easy, and my 7/8 Friodur is easy too. 5/8s razors are typically preferred because they are small enough to maneuver and provide enough heft. Bear in mind that we are talking about modern production razors where 1/4 is not the norm. Especially in smaller sizes.
If I had one razor that I could take and hand to a new person with the hopes of converting them to straight shaving, I'd had them my little 4/8 Puma. Seeing the angles is not an issue, and neither is stropping... It's actually quite easy to handle on the leather too.
I like it so much that I bought another one, and I'd buy more if I find them...
tsk, tsk, tsk... I've got a 4/8 Puma that will outshave anything on the market...
He does, and he sold an identical one to me. It's very nice. It's nimble and not too light.
I'm getting there. In short, yes, but like Feather DE blades, you gotta be careful and pay some dues. I'm not a talented straight razor user just yet.
ask Soapbox, if you have any doubts
They're a little harder to control when stropping. Compared to my 5/8 Dovo, yes, the edge of my 4/8 blades tends to rise up off the strop if I'm not very careful.
On the other hand, it seems to me that learning the angle by "feel" isn't unreasonable. It certainly worked for me when DE shaving, and while I don't want to draw many similarities between DE and straight shaving, blade angle is one point I think is somewhat similar.
All good points. I don't think I'd ever say don't buy a 4/8" razor, just that I think a 5/8" one might suit you a little better.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to accept the 4/8" razor into the fold of "awesome newbie razor." But I'll think about it. They certainly are a LOT cheaper compared to their bigger brethren.
The only other concern I have with 4/8" razors is that they don't have as much heft as a similar 5/8" razor. The 1/8" of metal seems to help most people chop down the hairs a little easier.
Personally, 4/8 - 7/8, doesn't matter to me. I love them all. 4/8 a little less because its a little small, but fun once in a while.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to accept the 4/8" razor into the fold of "awesome newbie razor." But I'll think about it. They certainly are a LOT cheaper compared to their bigger brethren.
The only other concern I have with 4/8" razors is that they don't have as much heft as a similar 5/8" razor. The 1/8" of metal seems to help most people chop down the hairs a little easier.
Personally, 4/8 - 7/8, doesn't matter to me. I love them all. 4/8 a little less because its a little small, but fun once in a while.
4/8 1/4 grind more than makes up for the heft compared to a 5/8 hollow. There's just a weird aversion to 4/8 razors that I don't understand. Seriously that 1/8 inch isn't that big of a difference, IMO. I wasn't interested in a 4/8 either until talking with Peter (English).
My first ever razor was a 7/8 Friodur. No regrets there.
I much prefer the way large blades strop and hold an angle when shaving.
The downside being the coupe de maitre, or other such delicate matters. But it's no biggy. You just scoop down under the schnoze easy as pie
I like the way a < 5/8 handles when shaving, but I don't like the way they strop.
So, in the end, you guys have to make up your own minds.
Go big, go small, actually go out and buy them all!
I much prefer the way large blades strop and hold an angle when shaving.
The downside being the coupe de maitre, or other such delicate matters. But it's no biggy. You just scoop down under the schnoze easy as pie
I like the way a < 5/8 handles when shaving, but I don't like the way they strop.
So, in the end, you guys have to make up your own minds.
Go big, go small, actually go out and buy them all!
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