Thread: Greetings!!!!

Just wanted to say hello and ask a few questions. I am a long time DE shaver looking to get into straights. My question is how can I get started without breaking the bank? Also, are the straights from art of shaving shave ready? Thanks for looking and hope to learn a lot from all of u great folks on here!!!

Unless you buy from the guys who hone , no. AOS just sells supplies look at Straight Razor Designs or Vintage they get them shave ready also you can look in our classifieds if these guys sell it shave ready it probably is or buy from AOS and then send it out. Lots of options, but buying a lower cost vintage that's already honed by the guys who use them gets you started right ,, cheaper isn't better but it can be inexpensive. Then spend more after you learn how to strop and shave ,,, honing yourself comes much later. Good luck and keep asking. Tc

Check out whippeddog. Larry has a bunch of razors that are budget minded and they come shave ready. Just got one in the mail from him today. He is making it hard to fight off RAD lol

Welcome aboard

If you can purchase a decent strop such as this:

Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23": Health & Personal Care

And a basic beginner's brush bowl and soap such as this:


If you can AND after you have confined that you have the basic necessities to maintain a shave ready razor I'll give you one to help you start down the road to an older but better way of shaving.

Let me add that if you can find someone close by who is an experienced straight razor user and can spend time with them you will learn more in a few hours than you will after months of reading and watching videos.

I still encourage you to read, ask questions and watch videos by members of SRP!

Cudarunner has made a great offer please take him up on it. As to the brush set he suggested I am still using the same set after a year. Not fancy but it works.

Cudarunner, Thank you very much for the offer. I have been wet shaving with a DE razor for years, so the brush, bowl, and soap/cream I have plenty of. (Too much if you ask my wife). The strop I would need to purchase. I don't know anyone, besides a barber, that shaves with a straight. I would love to take you up on your offer and Thanks Again.

Originally Posted by JReed

As to the brush set he suggested I am still using the same set after a year. Not fancy but it works.

As I said, it's a Very Basic Set. There are much better soaps and brushes out there. However it will get a guy started.

One thing that I've seen many, many times is that someone is really excited about learning this age old art and spends a ton of money on New, Fancy Equipment only to loose interest. This is usually caused by a Lack of Patience!

Once someone has decided that this age old art is for them, I highly recommend SRD for strops and razors. I've done business with Lynn and Don many times with great satisfaction.

With that said I 'prefer' vintage blades but that's just my 'preference'. I have found that 99.99% of Everything about Straight Razors is 'Personal Preference' whether it's strops, soaps razors etc.

So, I try to recommend that those who wish to learn this age old art, start out slow and inexpensively. Later they can go expensive and lavish

Roy,
That was nice of you to give him such an offer. Thank you for doing this for this new guy. It makes a difference & we are all here to help out so thanks again for your help!
Steve

Originally Posted by cudarunner

So, I try to recommend that those who wish to learn this age old art, start out slow and inexpensively. Later they can go expensive and lavish

Good advice . . . and while I'm new, the advice to stay off the cheap path is a good one. There's a difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive".

My first razor was delivered from SRD a few days ago. Might have been able to get cheaper, but I also figured I was paying for the best chance of a good start to this journey. So far, I'd say it was a good choice.

Originally Posted by engine46

Roy,
That was nice of you to give him such an offer. Thank you for doing this for this new guy. It makes a difference & we are all here to help out so thanks again for your help!
Steve

Steve,

I do what I can. When I was starting out and right out of a very painful divorce I decided to try my uncles Genco Grant/Hell I didn't know that it was a 9/16 square point yet. All I knew was that it was a straight razor.

I'd found another forum and they offered honing for I believe $25 plus shipping to and from which came to about $35, when I got it back it was 'scary' sharp well at the time I thought it was. There were really no instruction or information about how or what was used to sharpen it. Even after asking questions I go no response. I didn't feel welcome and a feeling that my questions were 'unimportant' so I proceeded to teach myself.

I stumbled along but finally got the hang of things and then I found SRP. Whoa what a difference! Helpful advice and people willing to help! I felt welcome and a part of the forum!

By this time my blade was getting dull/I'd been using a Genuine Shell Leather strop with no cloth that was a gift from a very good friend/it was one of his father's. So I went to the classifieds and there was a Red Point that was just ever so slightly out of my puny budget so I asked if the seller would consider $5 less and he obliged. A few more months went by and the red point was pulling. The same member had another razor at a similar price and I again asked a favor and he once again obliged.

If it wasn't for that member giving me those very small price breaks I'd probably be back using those disgusting disposable things that are disguised as 'A Razor'.

That same member took time out of his busy and complicated life to help me not only with getting started but by guiding me on stropping, lathering and when I was ready honing.

I do what I can to Pay it Back and Pass it Forward.