Thread: Newb looking to get started quickly. Could use some help getting some thingsSortedOut

Alright well I'm looking to go from 5-blade bs to straight razor shaving. I know what i want for some things and others I don't know enough about to make a good decision.

These I need Help with:
Strop
Hone
What kind of (grit?) ratings between the two would get me all set. I imagine I want the finest grit on the hone, but below what level is absolutely unacceptable?

Need a bit of guidance here:
Razor
Two razors I am currently looking at are
1. DOVO Straight Razors (in stock)
I like the black wood handle, classic look imo. So far I like this one more.

2. Thiers-Issard Straight Razors (out of stock)
Seems a step up from DOVO; but then again I'm new and don't know what's what.

Any ideas or opinions concerning these or another blade in the same price range would be appreciated.

Brush
is up in the air. I don't know what "Super Silvertip," "Genuine Silvertip," or "Best/Super/Pure Badger" means. Without knowing what any of that means two brushes that caught my eye were

R. A. Rooney Shaving Brushes
This one looks like it would be more comfortable on my face, more rounded.

R. A. Rooney Shaving Brushes
Its Super Silvertip while the other in genuine silvertip, sooooooooooooo.

Pretty sure I did these right

Pre-shave gel
Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries

Soap
Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries

Soap Mug
Shaving Lather Mugs and Bowls
Perfect imo

Stand
Razor and Brush Stands
Just for the brush, everything else seems more expensive than it needs to be.


I appreciate any feedback I get. I'm really excited to get into this. I know I'm probably missing a few things, I'de appreciate if sombody let me know what they are. I know I read about something to protect the blade from rust but must have missed it on classicshaving.


The boring story of my sparked interest.
The interest sparked when I woke up from a dream remembering a movie I saw when I was a kid. Something about a park ranger stopping some boy scouts or something (Kevin Bacon movie maybe). He was driving and shaving like a total bad ass with a knife.
Anyways some google-ing brought me here.
I then started researching saw the prices and wanted to make sure this was for me.
I told my parents and they told me about a 50's style barbershop called Hawleywoods; so I went and got a straight razor shave, sadly they used a disposable razor but it was still the best shave I had ever had.
Anyways my beard is outlined and almost filled in; so I figured I better start doing things right.


I thought people might be interested in this site. I was looking into getting my hands on some classic hats that have for some reason gone out of style.
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Its hard to give good advice because when you start shaving with a straight much depends on things you prefer yet you don't know enough to figure what you prefer. if you ask for opinions people will tell you what they like which may or may not apply to you.

So I would say for a hone get the Norton 4K/8K combo.

For a razor get a vintage from someone here that is shave ready and don't pay more than $50 for your first razor. There is too much of a chance some mishap will happen in learning and you don't want to damage a 100+ razor.

Brushes are really a personal thing. I would say for a first brush buy a modest best badger. personally I like Rooney

You'll need a strop and I would get a Tony Miller leather hanging strop.

All the prep stuff is really personal stuff so just get quality stuff reasonable in price.

Ok thanks a bunch. That helps with the hone and strop; and its good to know that I can get razors from other users on this site. I hadn't looked around much and was just looking around the classifieds for a razor.

I'm still open to anything else anybody has to say.

I would suggest getting the razor from someone here as well. It's the cheapest and most effective option.

You may not be able to tell the difference between a good brush and a great brush when first starting out, so go for one that's less expensive but nice.

As for a hone, my preference is the Coticule, Howard @ theperfectedge.com has really good ones. But any 8k grit and up stone will keep a nice edge on your razor.

For soap, I whole heartedly recommend Colleen Hurley's soap, Shaving, Bath and Body, Skincare, Home Fragrance, Brushes, Creams, Soaps. It really is awesome stuff. Leatherneck, Desert Ironwood, and Cavendish Black are my favorites.

Strops can also be found here on SRP, as well as other vendors. The obvious cheapos on ebay are to be avoided, but otherwise there are many good strops out there.

It's really hard to go wrong with the reputable vendors but there are definitely deals to be had through the classifieds.

Hi Jason

I'll try and give a comprehensive answer and explanation since there have only been a few answers so far. But guys feel free to chip in/comment/correct me.

Originally Posted by buddyjason

These I need Help with:
Strop
Hone
What kind of (grit?) ratings between the two would get me all set. I imagine I want the finest grit on the hone, but below what level is absolutely unacceptable?

First be quite clear these do two different things. Stropping aligns the edge of the blade, it does not remove any metal. With honing you are taking metal off the blade.

It isnt a case of 'the finer the better' because if you have a really messed up blade that needs alot of honing then you want a coarser hone such as 1000 grit to take the metal down faster. The finer hones are for finishing the edge.

However, since you are new I would actually recommend you DONT buy a hone straight away. That way if you decide 2 months down the line that straight razors are not for you then you have less to sell. If you absolutely MUST buy a hone now be aware its a skill which may take alot of time to master. In this instance I would recommend the Norton 4k/8k combi stone. Its not perfect but if you can only have one stone, thats the one to get.

Originally Posted by buddyjason

Need a bit of guidance here:
Razor
Two razors I am currently looking at are
1. DOVO Straight Razors (in stock)
I like the black wood handle, classic look imo. So far I like this one more.

2. Thiers-Issard Straight Razors (out of stock)
Seems a step up from DOVO; but then again I'm new and don't know what's what.

Any ideas or opinions concerning these or another blade in the same price range would be appreciated.

I would say that both Dovo and TI's are of a very high standard and i'm sure most people here would agree. I personally dont see TI's as a 'step up' but I do agree with the advice given so far. Buy from the classifieds section here. Alternatively buy from ClassicShaving.com where Lynn Abrams can hone your razor to shave ready standard before he sends it to you (he's a nice guy ). I wont start my usual rant about the importance about a 'shave ready' razor- you can read about that elsewhere.

Originally Posted by buddyjason

Brush
is up in the air. I don't know what "Super Silvertip," "Genuine Silvertip," or "Best/Super/Pure Badger" means. Without knowing what any of that means two brushes that caught my eye were

R. A. Rooney Shaving Brushes
This one looks like it would be more comfortable on my face, more rounded.

R. A. Rooney Shaving Brushes
Its Super Silvertip while the other in genuine silvertip, sooooooooooooo.

TBH at the start a brush is a brush. Dont get hung up about which one to get. I started with a synthetic and have now moved to badger. I do notice the difference but the change wasnt necessary- I did it because I could afford to. When you are starting out you may not be able to

Originally Posted by buddyjason

Pretty sure I did these right

Pre-shave gel
Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries

Soap
Shaving Soaps, Creams, Lotions & Toiletries

Soap Mug
Shaving Lather Mugs and Bowls
Perfect imo

Stand
Razor and Brush Stands
Just for the brush, everything else seems more expensive than it needs to be.

I'm not even going to click these links cos I know what my advice to you is going to be. At the start you dont need the mug and you dont need the stand. The only thing thats nice from the start is the soap and even that you could do without if you were willing to continue to put up with the regular Gilette goop.

But like you I didnt ^^

I will however recommend you get a styptic pencil or an alum block to begin with. Can prove invaluable as you learn.

Originally Posted by buddyjason

I appreciate any feedback I get. I'm really excited to get into this. I know I'm probably missing a few things, I'de appreciate if sombody let me know what they are. I know I read about something to protect the blade from rust but must have missed it on classicshaving.


The boring story of my sparked interest.
The interest sparked when I woke up from a dream remembering a movie I saw when I was a kid. Something about a park ranger stopping some boy scouts or something (Kevin Bacon movie maybe). He was driving and shaving like a total bad ass with a knife.
Anyways some google-ing brought me here.
I then started researching saw the prices and wanted to make sure this was for me.
I told my parents and they told me about a 50's style barbershop called Hawleywoods; so I went and got a straight razor shave, sadly they used a disposable razor but it was still the best shave I had ever had.
Anyways my beard is outlined and almost filled in; so I figured I better start doing things right.

You'll find thats quite common now. Certainly where I live the best you'll find is a barber who uses a straight that has replaceable disposable blades. Its for hygiene reasons. It makes sense I guess, but it is a bit disappointing.

So in summary, as a starter kit I recommend:

1. A razor bought from the classifieds section here such as this one, or bought from ClassicShaving.com and honed by Lynn Abrams.

Have the razor honed to shave ready standard by a honemeister on this site who is local to you if it is not already.

2. A strop.

3. Styptic pencil or Alum block.

4. Shaving brush- any kind (but a new one)

5. Shaving soap.

Thats ALL you need at the start.

Then if you get to like the experience get yourself a hone.

I hope thats of help to you. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions (or if you want to shoot the breeze )

Best of luck,

Sandy

Awesome thanks guys. I feel like I have more direction now.
I found 2 nice razors in the classifieds; shave ready. We'll see what I go with.

Aside from deciding which razor I want I think I'm ready to start ordering things. I'll be around; and I'm sure I'll be asking many questions once I figure out what they are going to be.

One last question I can think of now. How do I go about finding a honemeister from the site near me? Otherwise I'm thinking knife shops or barbers.

Anyways again I appreciate all the help from everybody.

-Joe

Welcome Joe,

Congratulations to finding your way here first - you've already got excellent advice. Take a look around, read some, the stickies are a must.
I would suggest one different thing - if your budget allows you go for the high end brush. Everything is a personal preference, but all my high end brushes perform significantly better than the others. Don't get me wrong I'll be fine with almost any brush, but a good one is just a different level of experience (and price). What is high end - i guess rooney, simpson, shavemac - $100-$150. Of course you can start lower and never upgrade, but if you're thinking you may end up there anyways and have the money to do it you'll skip the $50-$70 step. Razors are a different story because there are a lot of great deals available and most of us are more into razors than into brushes, plus the potential damage factor...

Get a razor that is already honed and you don't have to worry about sending it out for now. As far as where to find honemeister near you - a good start is posting your location. Knife shops and barbers can work too, try and see.

Originally Posted by buddyjason

One last question I can think of now. How do I go about finding a honemeister from the site near me? Otherwise I'm thinking knife shops or barbers.

I believe the classifieds section may have one or two people offering services. You should check out there. Where are you? Maybe we know someone ourselves.

Either way i'd say emphatically DO NOT take your razor to a knife shop. It will get trashed. A knife and a razor are honed in very different ways.

Gee thanks for showing me the hat forum, like i need another grovy old thing to like/want!

My two hats do me well, although i might keep an eye out for hats AND razors at 2nd hand stors now

+Buckler

I would agree with the advice given by SidneyKidney regarding not rushing to get a hone. A shave ready razor shouldn't need to see a hone for at least 20 shaves. Daily stropping will keep the blade sharp. If you buy a shave ready razor then when it starts to lose it's edge you can look at investing in a hone or send it to someone to hone for you. It should only need a touch-up at this stage so maybe something like a barbers hone would be enough to refresh the edge.

Honing is a skill. Putting a good razor to the hone to learn is a bad idea. If you want to practice honing, buy a few cheap razors off e-bay and invest plenty of time.

The learning experience is great fun, but there is a chance of damaging the razor edge due to poor stropping of knocking it on the sink. Best to start with a cheaper second hand razor and after a month or so, when things are going well, you can look at buying a better razor, or like most people many new razors.