I want to get into straight razor but really confused as to what brand i should get and what kind of strop or possibly even brush i need. Currently i have a body shop brush but its kinda hard, i remember my dad having a much softer brush, i want to first get a decent blade, strop and stone. I dont want to be sending my blade away to be sharpened, so can any one suggest some beginner friendly blade strop and stone, keep in mind i want to keep price down to a min but i dont want it so low that i would be getting a crap item.
Starter kit
- Thread starter zamanakhan
- Start date
Not sure what your budget is, but Larry of Whipped Dog Straights specializes in setting up budget minded newbies with quality equipment:
http://www.whippeddog.com/
http://www.whippeddog.com/
- Thread starter
- #4
from what i gather the razor's on that site look refurbished and previously used, i would much rather have something that is brand new. I was looking more along the lines of something like this perhaps:
http://www.fendrihan.com/thiersissa...esided-strop-save-p-903.html?cPath=116_22_106
but it seems rather pricey and i feel that i can get seperates cheaper or i might not need the same strop in this package.
for a budget i am willing to pay up to $150 for the razor and i would prefer it to be presharpened, $50 for a strop and possibly another $50 for accesories. I dont intend to buy a brush and creams just yet i have those right now and would like to invest as i go. any suggestions for that price point?
also is that the bare minimum i would need?
Razor, strop, brush?
or will i also need a hone right away, or is this something i can hold off purchasing.
http://www.fendrihan.com/thiersissa...esided-strop-save-p-903.html?cPath=116_22_106
but it seems rather pricey and i feel that i can get seperates cheaper or i might not need the same strop in this package.
for a budget i am willing to pay up to $150 for the razor and i would prefer it to be presharpened, $50 for a strop and possibly another $50 for accesories. I dont intend to buy a brush and creams just yet i have those right now and would like to invest as i go. any suggestions for that price point?
also is that the bare minimum i would need?
Razor, strop, brush?
or will i also need a hone right away, or is this something i can hold off purchasing.
You'll need the following
1. A Shave ready razor. Generally this mean it has been honed by a professional.
2. A strop - you don't need to go crazy here as you'll probably nick your first one a few times, so get something to work on technique. I started out with a Filly.
3. Some form of lubrication on your face, cream soap etc. You don't need to go crazy here, there are plenty of great products that are inexpensive e.g. Proraso.
4. I would get a brush as well, you can pick up an inexpensive boar hair brush or an inexpensive badger like like a Tweezerman for under 20 dollars. This is probably softer than the brush you have currently.
Check out the straight razor FAQ's
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Straight_Razor_FAQs
Lathering properly and beard prep make a huge difference when shaving with a straight razor.
I also wouldn't discount purchasing a used razor that is shave ready from the classifieds. This is an excellent way to get started inexpensively.
With regards to honing, you need to know what a sharp razor feels like so I wouldn't jump right into honing. You have quite a few skills you'll need to develop and I'm a believer in minimizing variables. You can maintain a blade for a pretty decent amount of time with some chromium oxide and a strop. Once you feel like you have the shaving and stropping down, then I'd progress to honing.
1. A Shave ready razor. Generally this mean it has been honed by a professional.
2. A strop - you don't need to go crazy here as you'll probably nick your first one a few times, so get something to work on technique. I started out with a Filly.
3. Some form of lubrication on your face, cream soap etc. You don't need to go crazy here, there are plenty of great products that are inexpensive e.g. Proraso.
4. I would get a brush as well, you can pick up an inexpensive boar hair brush or an inexpensive badger like like a Tweezerman for under 20 dollars. This is probably softer than the brush you have currently.
Check out the straight razor FAQ's
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Straight_Razor_FAQs
Lathering properly and beard prep make a huge difference when shaving with a straight razor.
I also wouldn't discount purchasing a used razor that is shave ready from the classifieds. This is an excellent way to get started inexpensively.
With regards to honing, you need to know what a sharp razor feels like so I wouldn't jump right into honing. You have quite a few skills you'll need to develop and I'm a believer in minimizing variables. You can maintain a blade for a pretty decent amount of time with some chromium oxide and a strop. Once you feel like you have the shaving and stropping down, then I'd progress to honing.
I'm not a straight user yet, but I've been noodling on the same things you have. Lynn at StraightRazorPlace suggests a 6/8" 1/2 hollow for a newbie. I found a new Dovo here that matches the suggestion and is considered their entry level razor for ~$80. WhippedDog seems to have a good deal on noob strops, too. (BTW, I'm not affiliated with any of these businesses. I've just done some shopping.)
http://thesuperiorshave.com/Dovo_Straights_Pages/Dovo_BestQuality_Straight_Razors.html
http://thesuperiorshave.com/Dovo_Straights_Pages/Dovo_BestQuality_Straight_Razors.html
Straight Razor Designs (which is owned by Lynn Abrams, the honing guru of straight shaving), has some pretty nice Razor/Strop combo sets. You can get a professionally sharpened new Dovo, and a Strop for $115 plus shipping:
http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=73&zenid=8eefe9058a976969fac10b0dc07842b8
For now you need a shave ready razor, and a strop.
Eventually you will need some means of sharpening it/ touching up the edge: a barber's hone, a balsa strop with pastes (typically Chromium Oxide), or a full compliment of hones allowing you to accomplish the same thing as a professional (with practice of course) on your own.
Sending the razor out to be professional honed every few months would be annoying, and rather expensive.
http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=73&zenid=8eefe9058a976969fac10b0dc07842b8
For now you need a shave ready razor, and a strop.
Eventually you will need some means of sharpening it/ touching up the edge: a barber's hone, a balsa strop with pastes (typically Chromium Oxide), or a full compliment of hones allowing you to accomplish the same thing as a professional (with practice of course) on your own.
Sending the razor out to be professional honed every few months would be annoying, and rather expensive.
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