Str8 advice for a newb.

[ZlinMan]

Hi all. A friendly neighbor to the North here and new to the site. I've been using a disposable blade str8 for a while now, working on my technique, and I think I'm ready to dive into the deep end and get the real deal. Any vet's out there care to give me any pearls of wisdom on what to look out for? Any particular brand/model/type, etc? Look forward to receiving some great advice like I have seen on other posts here!

Cheers!

>Nathan

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B Nathan!

What to avoid: http://www.straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Brands_of_Straight_Razors_to_avoid

What to look for: http://www.straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Good_Straight_Razor_Brands

You could get a straight + strop from Ruprazor too if you want something new. Otherwise, keep an eye on the Buy/sell/trade section of this forum and you should be able to find a shave ready straight + strop.

 

[LaughingAtFate]

Can't go too far wrong with either Sheffield or Stolingen as far as vintage razors go, Same with American or even Swedish steel, not to mention French or Spanish, heck, you look around, and pretty much all of the good ones about are reasonably well known, Most of the good ones show up in the "look what I got" threads

Apart from that, A good strop is a requirement, Most people suggest Tony Miller as a good strop maker, But RuppRazor's Filly is a damn fine inexpensive strop as well.

It's a slippery slide though, you start off with one, find that it's not giving you the best shave, or you think you might try a different razor, or a different grind, different steel, Etc, etc, and before you know it, you've gone beyond a simple half-hour shave in the morning and gone into full bllown SRAD, Mind you, it's not a bad thing that
Good luck, Happy hunting, Etc

 

[ZlinMan]

Thanks for the links, Luc, very helpful; I know what to look out for now!

Great advice, Laughing, really straightened things out for me (har har). Looking forward to the ups and downs of the journey, and in the end a hopefully calming and satisfying BBS shave!

 

[leighton]

Buy from the classifieds and see about a discount for paying a honemeister to touch it up.

 

[Bogframe]

The "What to look for" list mentioned Wostenholm. I got lucky enough to find three of them in the last few years, and they are three of the best razors I own, not to mention some of the better looking ones.

 

[maierar]

It is difficult to advise without knowing what, if any, budget constraints are in play.
Sorry Luc, but I would not recommend a Rup package to someone who is sure he wants into straight razor shaving. He'll be starting cheap (and I mean cheap, not inexpensive) and getting marginally functional equipment with no aesthetic element and no resale value down the line.
One of the many desirable elements of straight razor shaving is the beauty and collectability of the razor. Which would send me here:http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?maincat=8 rather than to a source of uninspiring cheapies.
Also there are lots of good razors available on the BST, even if it does reqire some patience while you look for your tastes.

 

[Klarion]

You may want to consider making use of the Klarion Method: Buy two of everything! Very simple, you see. Start with two strops, two hones. Everyone's first strop gets chopped up, and you'll want a nicer, more expensive one anyway. Correspondingly, everyone's first razor dulls more quickly when they're beginning, with less-than-favorable technique. So, when you send that one out to be honed, you'll have a back up.

Oh! Or just buy a Seven Day Set, and ask if Leighton will hone them up for you. He's been looking to do some edge experimentation.

 

[mark3d]

Sorry Luc, but I would not recommend a Rup package to someone who is sure he wants into straight razor shaving. He'll be starting cheap (and I mean cheap, not inexpensive) and getting marginally functional equipment with no aesthetic element and no resale value down the line.

That's strange, because I get a better shave from my gold dollar razor than my 3 vintages (which were bought from reputable SRP guys). The gold dollar blade sings and retains an extra sharp edge, which makes me think it's good, high-carbon steel. Yes the scales do feel like cheap plastic (the razor is made for the domestic market, so utilitarian by design), however overall it's top value. I wouldn't be surprised if some retired crafstmen from Solingen or Sheffield helped to design the blade.

Believe me, I really want my Elikstruna or Sheffield steel to be my favourite.. and sentimentally they are, but they aren't what gets me the best shave. (they are smaller blades, so who knows, maybe i just need a big blade). Either way, I felt I needed to argue that GD isn't rubbish

.

 

[maierar]

"Believe me, I really want my Elikstruna or Sheffield steel to be my favourite.. and sentimentally they are, but they aren't what gets me the best shave. (they are smaller blades, so who knows, maybe i just need a big blade). Either way, I felt I needed to argue that GD isn't rubbish "


Never said that gold dollars are rubbish. I have 2 which are very good shavers. My negativity wasn't directed toward GD razors.
My other point was that if he is starting with straights with a not-too-tight budget, he might very well prefer to buy something to be proud of and become an heirloom, rather than just a competent tool.

 

[Cuttingboard]

It is difficult to advise without knowing what, if any, budget constraints are in play.
Sorry Luc, but I would not recommend a Rup package to someone who is sure he wants into straight razor shaving. He'll be starting cheap (and I mean cheap, not inexpensive) and getting marginally functional equipment with no aesthetic element and no resale value down the line.
One of the many desirable elements of straight razor shaving is the beauty and collectability of the razor. Which would send me here:http://www.shavingshop.com/index.php?maincat=8 rather than to a source of uninspiring cheapies.
Also there are lots of good razors available on the BST, even if it does reqire some patience while you look for your tastes.

I bought a couple of straights yesterday from BST and a Filly strop from Rup, hard to pass up for $20 shipped for a practice piece. I plan on using the filly until my stropping techniques becomes good enough to justify buying one of Tony Millers red strops. I was looking on Tony's website and I didn't see his beginner strop listed, anyone know what happened to them?

 

[Klarion]

If you mean the Practice Strop, it's only available with the purchase of another strop. So, really, you only have to wait for the strop you like to become available and you should be able to get exactly what you want. I was lucky enough that Tony's strops came on for sale immediately when I was starting straights, so I've been able to have TM stuff almost since the get-go.

 

[Cuttingboard]

If you mean the Practice Strop, it's only available with the purchase of another strop. So, really, you only have to wait for the strop you like to become available and you should be able to get exactly what you want. I was lucky enough that Tony's strops came on for sale immediately when I was starting straights, so I've been able to have TM stuff almost since the get-go.

I'm not sure...I ready somewhere that Tony makes a Heirloom Starter/Travel strop for 30$ but I didn't see it on his website.

I didn't realize that when you buy a strop from Tony, that you receive a practice strop also that very similar to the Fillly.

 

[maierar]

Got the filly beat by a mile:http://www.theshaveden.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=103

 

[mark3d]

that proforma looks like good value. a lot of people think straight razor shaving is expensive to get into, but i think this thread shows that's not the case.

dive in!

.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Got the filly beat by a mile:http://www.theshaveden.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=103

That looks a little too nice for me to slice up. I'll get a new one whenever my stropping technique improves.