Thread: Howdy, new guy here with newbie questions....i searched a little...

Ok, my name is Steve, i live in seattle and am 50 years old...

i have always heard that straight razors shave a better shave than the hyped sixteen blade mach ones

i want to try this out without a significant out of pocket expense. I was thinking of the Monsieniour charles razor with replaceable blades.

I see very nice straight razors on e bay, but i don't think I'm up to the challenge of learning how to shave and sharpening a blade at the same time

Any newbie advise will be appreciated

thanks!

Not trying to sound like a guy hyping this site. But your first razor should be one purchased from one of the guys here, labeled "shave ready". Check the classifieds section. Your replaceable blades razor your looking at is basically a glorified letter opener, sorry to say. Also, don't be concerned with buying a used or ugly razor. What counts is the edge. If you're worried about germs, dip the blade in boiling water. I see one in the classifieds right now for 40 bucks. great first razor IMO

Welcome

Budget straight shaving can be done but this site leans towards the ideal shave and the attendant pricey chasing of that shave. The best hones, the best razors, the best soap, the best cream, the best of every thing. Going over board is easy so start slow.

The classifieds currently have a few budget shave ready blades, they come and go pretty fast. whipped dog, which has a good reputation, has sight unseen razors, poor mans strop set, good value brushes. That would get the job done nicely, and this is basically what I started with. It is a low cost but good value option

Alternatively you could go with make do options except for the razor and soap. A seat belt and a leather belt for a strop. A cheap boar brush. A coffee cup for a scuttle. A crox pasted news paper for touch up. Arko, VHD, or Williams mug soap. This set of options is about as cheap as can be and still get a good shave.

Go slow and check out the Wiki. Lots of things to learn.

Jonathan

Hey Steve,

I live in Seattle as well and just joined this site a few days ago. My concerns were (and are) the same as yours.

I ordered an inexpensive razor from Ebay to learn to sharpen with and a $25 shave ready used razor (don't have it yet) from Whippeddog which is what I would suggest you look into.

You can also go to your local Rite-Aid and for $12 get a shaving set of brush, soap and a mug. That's a total of $37 to get you started. Strop on a newspaper until you decide if this is for you.

If you want to learn to hone yourself there are relatively inexpensive ways to get started as well. Most of them I've learned about from reading the archives of this site.

If you want the low-cost way to dip your toe in the water - next time you're down near Portland, give me a hollar. Come try my gear.

You don't need stones & skills in honing. A razor from the classifieds needn't be expensive. It DOES need a fully shave ready edge, and I don't hear of many of those on ebay. You also need to spend some time getting informed on how the shave is done, how to make lather & prep a beard, and how to strop. If you just want to see what its like - costs you only the gas to drive 2.5 hrs south - or if your travels take you nearby, costs nothing. If you want help getting set up w/ your own kit, I'd be happy to help.

Hi Steven,

A Monsieur Charles replaceable blade razor would be a fine way to try out straight razor shaving. I started out with a similar one from an earlier era, an L & A razor.

Best wishes,
Jeff

Thanks, i will try the disposable blade version...just to get the idea, and then buy a proper blade,

Steve

Originally Posted by Datsots

Welcome

Budget straight shaving can be done but this site leans towards the ideal shave and the attendant pricey chasing of that shave. The best hones, the best razors, the best soap, the best cream, the best of every thing. Going over board is easy so start slow.

The classifieds currently have a few budget shave ready blades, they come and go pretty fast. whipped dog, which has a good reputation, has sight unseen razors, poor mans strop set, good value brushes. That would get the job done nicely, and this is basically what I started with. It is a low cost but good value option

Alternatively you could go with make do options except for the razor and soap. A seat belt and a leather belt for a strop. A cheap boar brush. A coffee cup for a scuttle. A crox pasted news paper for touch up. Arko, VHD, or Williams mug soap. This set of options is about as cheap as can be and still get a good shave.

Go slow and check out the Wiki. Lots of things to learn.

Jonathan

Great information here, but instead of a "Cheap" boar brush, you can spend a whopping $16 and get a good one. A Semogue 1250 is a great brush for around $14. Go ahead and splurge . . .