Thread: Newbie, in need of gear

Hello all of you experienced shavers out there! I want to buy some of your old shaving equipment you don't use anymore.

My name is Drew and I am new to this gig. I am a 22 (today is my birthday as of about 2 hours ago) and am a fan of manual cameras, fountain pens, and classic styles.

As a birthday present to myself I am going to buy a straight razor and paraphernalia. I started off looking at ebay, and while doing research as to what to buy, and what to do with it once I have it, came across both this forum, and loads of advice saying stay away from ebay.

It seems to me, that as a beginner, I have two options. Buy low quality versions of everything new... or pick up well used but serviceable equipment that has seen a little love. As a poor college kid with a couple of italian suits purchased at salvation army, I am a big fan of the latter.

Enter this post. Im not new to buying stuff online and have a paypal account and whatnot, and I would love to pickup a perhaps slightly dinged strop, a razor (or two) with a worn set of scales (but honed to shave ready) and a brush which is perhaps missing a couple of bristles (and maybe an old hone).

I know that when you get into this sort of thing you always truly NEED that next step up. My bag full of photography gear (which is worth well more than my car) is testament to the fact.

So I offer you the opportunity to cash out on some of your old junk so you can apply it to that really sweet brush with the finely carved handle, or whatever else you are after. I just need a full setup of old gear...

I don't really know what to expect for costs, but I have some cash, and how good your advice seems will probably have a big impact on what I am willing to pay, as I have no actual knowledge to go on that does not come from my perusal of these forums and a nifty pdf book off shavemyface.com.

And maybe this post is ill-informed and useless and I will get bored in a couple of days and by a cheap razor out of your classifieds, but if anybody would be willing to help me out I would certainly appreciate it!

Thanks

Drew

Well, I suppose I should have looked back a bit further in the classifieds, turns out there was already something there... Thanks for the tip Jim!

So... I guess in a couple weeks I will be joining the ranks of the well nicked first time shavers! how exciting

Happy Birthday & welcome to SRP!

There's always plenty of shaving gear for sale in the classifieds.

That's your best bet. You'll be able to acquire everything you need at reasonable prices. When looking for a razor, you should be aiming for shave ready, so check with the seller. A bit of history behind them helps, but is not essential. Basically, the way i see it is an active long term member is more likely to know what is expected of shave ready than one who's been with us a month. This has a few exceptions, as we do get new members who have plenty of experience behind them!

Have a look in the classifieds & get an idea of what it'll cost you.
Ideally the razor will be 5/8-6/8 & shave ready. Round points are usually recommended to beginners, but any is fine if you're careful. A decent, but inexpensive strop (You absolutely WILL damage your first) & a brush & you're away.

Members Kenrup & Tony Miller spring to mind for a good quality, inexpensive starter strop.

Some members recommend practising stropping with a butter knife or blunt object, but to my mind this serves no purpose. The feel is entirely different & there's no indication of when you are making errors. You're better off with the real thing, & just taking it steady. Speed will come when technique is there.

I can give you dovo special 5/8, 2 conditions- you will send be back post fee and it will be done after Christmas.

Originally Posted by AlaskaDrew

I guess in a couple weeks I will be joining the ranks of the well nicked first time shavers!

Although it's difficult to avoid the odd cut now and again, it's best to start with a more positive attitude.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Some members recommend practising stropping with a butter knife or blunt object, but to my mind this serves no purpose. The feel is entirely different & there's no indication of when you are making errors. You're better off with the real thing, & just taking it steady. Speed will come when technique is there.

I have to disagree with you on this , Ben . Although using a butter knife or some other substitute for a straight razor is not the same as stropping a real razor . I believe it will help a person learn the basic stroke and flipping the razor over on it's spine technique .

Originally Posted by dave5225

I have to disagree with you on this , Ben . Although using a butter knife or some other substitute for a straight razor is not the same as stropping a real razor . I believe it will help a person learn the basic stroke and flipping the razor over on it's spine technique .

Disagree all you want. It's your right to be wrong.

Only joking!

We've all got our own methods. It may well help some guys, but I tend to think that as it does forgive the errors, often they get made without even realising it, till the real thing is in hand.

i believe i can help you with the strop, its something i put together out of some saddle leather i purchase here locally, all i ask in return is to payback the shipping when you can.
may be a week or two before i can get it in the mail, give me a shout if that works for you.

It's okay , Ben . We can agree to disagree , agreeably .

Originally Posted by dave5225

It's okay , Ben . We can agree to disagree , agreeably .

Ain't that the truth. For what it's worth, I agree with Ben. To which end, go Tony Miller, high end goods plus cheap practise strop… no-brainer.