Straight Razor set

[wtbryant]

We have a young guy in our church that is graduating law school. He has been using a DE for quite a while. But, he's wanting to get into straights. Several of us are considering getting him a "set" for graduation. Can I get some help? I'm a DE shaver exclusively with the exception of the Cobra Classic and the occasional injector.

We want to buy new since it's a gift.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks..

Todd

 

[ANeat]

What do you mean "set" as in a 7 day set?

Whats the budget? Very nice razors can be had for <$100 Even a restored vintage razor is really cool. Several excellent "hobbyists" here that sell restored vintage razors from time to time.
A well restored 100+ year old razor is tough to top

For an off the shelf I would think, Hart, Dovo, Boker, Theirs Issard<SP?> probably others that aren't jumping to mind at the moment

 

[Slash McCoy]

I suggest a Boker King Cutter. Or a Dovo Bismarck. Avoid the Dovo "Best" razors. A restored vintage blade can be a good deal. You also want a badger brush... see if Larry at www.whippeddog.com has any 26mm to 30mm Silvertip badger brushes, or Finest brushes. (that is two different grades of badger hair) Pick up a vintage Burma Shave or Old Spice mug on ebay, or look for an apothecary type shave mug online. Then add a Big Daddy strop from www.starshaving.com, a puck of Van Der Hagen soap from walgreens, and maybe a tube of Kiss My Face cream, or Godrej if there is an indian grocery nearby. (Godrej is better.) Give him the url for this site. He will eventually need some way of maintaining the edge on his razor and he will get help here. Speaking of edge, most razors are sold NOT shave-ready. The factory edge will not shave. The razor must be honed. Larry hones pretty cheap so you could send it to him since you will already be going to him for a brush. Some vendors do hone their razors, so check with them before you whip out the credit card.

 

[tomjr]

i would think buy a roll up and fill it with the razors of your choice. or some hard or soft case.

 

[wtbryant]

Sorry for the slow response, guys. Been one of those Mondays!

When I say "set", I mean whatever he needs to actual use and maintain the straight. I know exactly nothing about sharpening, honing, stropping, or whatever about a straight. I don't know what he needs. He has brushes and soaps. He only needs the razor and whatever it takes to keep it going.

Thanks for the replies thus far!!

 

[tomjr]

i would think a razor or 2 (shave ready), strop & a finishing hone. a hone and slurry stone like a c12k, coti, or film (etc.).

 

[jccalabria]

I've started to straight shave with whipped dog (Larry) by the recommendation of the guys in here, a sight unseen razor (41 $) and a poorman kit (23 $) and I think is a great way to start.

 

[global_dev]

i was thinking totally different than teh other guys. some stores sell a beautiful TI straight razor starter set.

 

[wtbryant]

Thanks guys. I'd recommend him a razor from Larry, no question. But, buying as a gift, I just sort of wanted to get a newer one. And, several of us were talking of going in together. So, hopefully we can get a decent one. Is there a specific new razor that is "the standard" or one that you guys have tried and liked? Something that won't necessarily break the bank. Maybe around $150.00 for the razor and strop?

 

[Slash McCoy]

Jarrod was selling the plain vanilla version of the Bismarck for a bit less than that. And he ships his razors shave-ready, I believe. The Bismarck is a large-ish shoulderless hollow ground of quite good quality, and is a joy to shave with and to hone. A shoulderless hollowground razor to me is the simplest to hone. Razor and strop, both, for $150? Well, check Jarrod's prices but I think you will be going over budget but not by much. The Big Daddy strop from Star Shaving is I think $34.50 or something like that.

 

[Floor]

My vote goes to Larry as well. My first razor, brush, strop and bowl came from him and use them weekly in my rotation!

 

[Monsieur Blaireau]

I use a Boker King Cutter that was my grandfather's. Granted, the new ones are slightly different - the guys who made the one I have from the 1920s have in all likelihood retired. But I'd agree with Slash about that choice; you'll be getting your friend an heirloom. And it is a great shaver. I wasn't as crazy about the Plain Vanilla Bismarck I had, but that's just the mileage on my face.