Thread: expense for a beginner?...

Hello, this is my 1st post on here, straight razor shaving is something im considering in the near future.

Ive been reading several websites and videos etc to do some research. How long to strops and hones last for?. They seem quite expensive to buy IF i find that I dont like or cant handle this straight razor shaving?.

Please feel free to correct me if im wrong,

Cheers,

Martin.

First of all welcome.

Second. If you are not going to get into restoring forget the hones. You may need one for brief touch ups but a pasted paddle mat be able to do that and they are cheap.

Third Straps are made of leather and if properly cared for can last long enough for your children to use them.
Alternately you could make your own out of some belt leather for cheap. Although your results may not be stellar.

Send your blades out a good $15 every 6 - 8 months is worth the expense.

the other thing that is perhaps worth considering is IF you don't like SRS, any decent razor or strop you buy is going to hold it's value sufficiently to make it a fairly cheap experiment, assuming you don't damage anything.

Hello and welcome!

Singlewedge is right about the touch-up hone. It's all that you'll ever need assuming you get the razor honed the first time. A pasted strop would also suffice for touch-ups also.

But hones last for a looong time. If you do get a hone for touch-ups, ex. a barber hone or coticule, you won't wear it out.

And +1 what gregs656 said about the equipment retaining value. A well maintained strop, hone, and razor holds it value, and should be able to upload the equipment here over the classifieds if you do choose to sell.

That said, I really hope you don't sell all your equipment!

You can get cheaper strops, The top of the line strops can be expensive, but there less expensive ones as well. There are some great $20 USD strops that come pasted with a micro abrasive that works as a touch up, before having to send it out to get honed.

Like the other guys have said they can last a lifetime, except you may find yourself nicking the strop which may hinder it's lifespan, but it works great as a first strop to practice on and find out if straight shaving is for you or not.

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

That said, I really hope you don't sell all your equipment!

He won't!

Thanks so far guys much appreciated.

Dave, I would probably buy my razor online, so would that not be honed before they sell it?.

I was just under the impression you had to strop and hone before each shave or at least every couple of shaves to keep the blade sharp so it performs to its potential???.

Originally Posted by Trotter

Thanks so far guys much appreciated.

Dave, I would probably buy my razor online, so would that not be honed before they sell it?.

I was just under the impression you had to strop and hone before each shave or at least every couple of shaves to keep the blade sharp so it performs to its potential???.

Some places sell honed and shave ready razors, others do not... I *think* the majority of the sites advertised on SRP sell shave ready razors....but you should check to make sure. Have you checked out the classifieds? most of those are sold shave ready and are quite a bit cheaper than buying from retail stores.

You have to Strop before every shave to keep the edge on the razor. Honing is only done after a lot of use, like singlewedge said you can go 6-8 months without honing. By that time you will know if straight shaving is for you or not.

Originally Posted by Trotter

Thanks so far guys much appreciated.

Dave, I would probably buy my razor online, so would that not be honed before they sell it?.

I was just under the impression you had to strop and hone before each shave or at least every couple of shaves to keep the blade sharp so it performs to its potential???.

You *should* strop before each shave, but thats only for longevity of the edge's sake. Not necessary per se. Classifieds on a razor site is the cheapest option. If you don't find anything, pm me.

Cheapest way to "hone" is to buy some crox and a balsa wood piece.

Originally Posted by Trotter

Hello, this is my 1st post on here, straight razor shaving is something im considering in the near future.

Martin, you need the following at a minimum:

1. Shave Ready Razor
2. Strop (hanging is best, paddle will work)
3. Shave soap/cream (personal preference)
4. Brush (from under $15 to obscene prices)

Set your budget then work from there. The classifieds are a good place to start for a razor. You will find excellent prices on good razors. If you are on a budget don't get hung up on those sexy looking ones that cost several hundred $. You can get a nice shave ready one (will be noted in the ad) for less than $70. Kenrup, a member here, sells terrific starter sets. The classifieds is qlso a good source for strops. Tony Miller has a great value for a first strop. Check out the Vendors Corner forum on this site.

At some point down the road you will need a barbers hone and/or pasted strop to refresh your edge.