Thread: Need advice on the "meantime"

Hey guys,

I've started using a brush and soap, but I've still been using cartridge razors. I have a straight, but it needs to be honed and I don't have a strop yet. I have a little money to spend on shave supplies, but not enough to get both of these things right now. Here are a few scenarios I'm considering in the mean time. Tell me what you think is the best choice or let me know if you think of one I haven't considered.

1. Get a cheap shavette - At least it will get me somewhat used to the shape and style of a straight. And importantly, get rid of the cartridge razors.

2. Find a used/cheap DE razor - DE is not my ultimate goal, but again this will at least get me away from the cartridge.

3. Upgrade my soap/brush - I've just been using Williams and would like to try something else. Found a soap/brush combo on Etsy that comes with a badger/synth blend brush. I don't know if it would be any better than the boar brush I bought at CVS.

Thanks!
John

Originally Posted by Dulouz

Hey guys,

I've started using a brush and soap, but I've still been using cartridge razors. I have a straight, but it needs to be honed and I don't have a strop yet. I have a little money to spend on shave supplies, but not enough to get both of these things right now. Here are a few scenarios I'm considering in the mean time. Tell me what you think is the best choice or let me know if you think of one I haven't considered.

1. Get a cheap shavette - At least it will get me somewhat used to the shape and style of a straight. And importantly, get rid of the cartridge razors.

2. Find a used/cheap DE razor - DE is not my ultimate goal, but again this will at least get me away from the cartridge.

3. Upgrade my soap/brush - I've just been using Williams and would like to try something else. Found a soap/brush combo on Etsy that comes with a badger/synth blend brush. I don't know if it would be any better than the boar brush I bought at CVS.

Thanks!
John

Well since it sounds like you're on a budget, could you tell us what the budget is?

RupRazor sells The Philly strop which is a great starter strop at $20.

I made my first razor purchase on the SRP classifieds. You can usually find a good razor for less than $50 there. hi_bud_gl has one for $45 that comes shave-ready.

That's what I'd go with to start, and then start looking at various brushes, creams and soaps to replace what you have now. HTH!

Originally Posted by Dulouz

Hey guys,
I have a straight, but it needs to be honed and I don't have a strop yet.

aye, I'd say the strop already linked and send your straight to SRD to be honed, I think the honing service is around $20 +shipping.

between the strop and honing service you'll probably pay less than upgrading your soap and brush.

I PM'ed you a DE option if you want to perfect your lather technique before making the jump to straights

Thanks to all of you. Especially for the PM from DPflaumer.

I'm looking at about $15 for now. Waiting until Christmas time to get a strop and the blade honed. I plan on getting both from RupRazor.

I the soap/brush combo I found is $12. I've seen some DE razors going for around $15. I think shavettes from a beauty supply store are only a few dollars. That is why I'm considering these options.

Any more advice?

I definitely recommend anything but a shavette. All that will do is convince you straight shaving is not for you. You really are better off just saving your money for now and getting something quality in the future.

Of course that is just my 2 cents, and you are free to do what you will. I also recommend picking up a cheap vintage razor on ebay and paying the $15 to have someone here hone it up.

The absolute cheapest and most sustainable option is to grow a beard. Failing that, option #2 is to get that razor honed. That gives you one benchmark for blade keennes and one shave. Then, buy a newspaper to strop on. If you poke around the site, you'll find strops made of jeans and seatbelts among, i would suppose, other things. Also, your forearm may make a good strop, as I've heard. Bottom line, hone the razor and improvise a strop. By Christmastime, you'll be accustomed to the straight and can better decide for what you should ask.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by cubed1

Also, your forearm may make a good strop, as I've heard.

Considering that newbies are known to nick/cut/butcher their first strops, I think this practice is ... inadvisable.

Originally Posted by ursus

Considering that newbies are known to nick/cut/butcher their first strops, I think this practice is ... inadvisable.

Sound advice; however, can you think of a better incentive to strop slowly, methodically, and correctly?

I got that same brush from CVS and finally gave it to the Cats! At least they are having a good time with it. Compared to my best pure badger brusher, the CVS brush feels like the cheap brush that it is.

Shavette - It will still come in handy when you travel or become protective of your fixed straight razor. I have a few disposable straight razors and I still use them in the rotation. I love taking a break from stropping. No knock on these razors. Even my el cheapo Diane 21 blade gives a good shave and last for about 4 big shaves and 6 light shaves.

It does take an intial investment to get the tools you will be happy using. I am guessing about $200 - $250. There are cheaper ways to get started if you buy from the classifieds on SRP.

Welcome to Straight Shaving!

Pabster