Thread: A shopping list for beginners

Dear beginner,

Back when I was young, Christmas season started in December, or thereabouts. With the advent of the Internet, and its sometimes challenging shipping times, it seems that Christmas season now starts in May. At least that is my impression from watching the latest threads in this category.

In any event, in the spirit of Christmas, I would like to share some random thoughts with you in your function as a new joiner, and aspiring straight razor shaver. Thoughts about razors, shaving paraphernalia, and ways not to burn your precious money in these times of economic hardship.

So without further ado, let us dive right in...

The good people of SRP have taken great care to bundle the collective wisdom of this venerable forum in a few pages. Read them. Our Beginners Guide will take about an hour to peruse, but it will save you time, money, and pain.

The guide, as well as the Frequently Asked Questions, contain information on buying (and using) your first equipment. But there are some points that are hard to generalise, which is why we did not put them into SRP's knowledgebase (called "The Wiki").

1. The first razor
   • Resist the urge to buy a fancy model. Experience has shown that almost any beginner will dull it while stropping, damage the edge when hitting a tap, or simply drop the razor.
   • Stick to what is recommended in the FAQ. A larger, heavier, stiffer razor will be easier for you to use in the beginning. You will find watching your manoeuvres easier, as well as keeping it flat while stropping.
   • Whether you buy new or from the Classifieds, buy for function, not looks. A beaten up vintage, honed by a professional, will likely outshave a new production razor in any event.
   • Two razors are better than one. Get both in shave ready state, and keep one for comparison purposes. If unsure whether your shaving razor is actually shave ready, consult the edge of the spare one.
   • When buying from a reputable source, learn to live with the fact that the razor is shave ready despite your personal disagreement with that verdict. It is tempting to blame initial frustrating experiences on the blade, but in most cases, it is lack of technique, or preparation.
   • When buying from the Classifieds, make sure you understand the significance of the ad. Some crucial points:
     • Can I trust the seller? While the Classifieds offer a higher success rate for inexperienced buyers than antique markets or online auction stores, it is eventually up to you and the seller whether you will consider the purchase a success.
     • Make sure you buy from an experienced member, preferably one who is also known to be good at honing. The interpretations of "shave readiness" vary, and unless the seller has honed, and used, a good number of razors, his verdict may be much different from yours.
     • The devil is in the details. As a beginner, you will no be able to adequately assess whether "some hone wear" is not much of a problem, or a death warrant for a razor. "Blemishes" may be easy to fix for an experienced shaver, but may equally easily ruin your shaving experience right from the start.
     • Sterilising a razor is always a good idea, as long as you understand the risks to the razor associated therewith.
     • Buy mineral oil, and use it. At least once a week, some beginner comes in here drowned in tears because his razor has developed rust spots. Even stainless steel will stain, it just takes an hour more.
2. The Brush
   • Go for function, not looks. A simple brush of good quality will allow you to test both creams and soaps, whereas a more luxurious super badger will make it difficult for you to get decent lather out of soap (and even some creams).
   • Bigger is not necessarily better. Invest your money in a functional bowl or scuttle, rather than an expensive brush - it will enhance your shaving experience more than the brush alone ever could.
3. The Strop
   • Do not build a personal relationship with your first strop. You will nick, or even cut, it. While sometimes the damage can be fixed, more often than not this strop will end up as a pasted strop.
   • If you cannot resist the urge to buy an expensive strop, get one with replaceable parts. Alternatively, get one that comes with a second-rate quality strop for little money.
   • Do not buy pastes for your first strop. Palm grease will suffice. Pastes are typically used for edge maintenance, and you should be quite a few shaves away from needing that. In any event, pastes will have to be applied to another strop, unless you invest heavily into a four sided paddle strop.
4. Hone(s)
   • Do not buy them if your razor comes shave ready. Familiarise yourself with the razor, finish your first few shaves. Read up on hones first. We have conveniently put some relevant Wiki articles into one collection, which can also be downloaded as a PDF file for printing: Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/SRP Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Take your time, and make sure you understand what the various hones do before you buy.
   • Keep an eye out for an inexpensive finishing stone, such as a barber hone, in our Classifieds in the meantime. Unless you intend to restore razors, this will be the only stone you will ever need.
   • A pasted strop is considered a viable alternative to hones, and it will most likely be less expensive.
5. Creams, Soaps, etc.
   • Get them. And get quality. I would go as far as recommending to spend significantly more on creams et al than on your first razor, brush, or strop.
   • Read our review section. The reviews in Reviews - Straight Razor Place Forums can be ordered by rating (eg using the category tools like this). With the recent overhaul of the rating system, these ratings make actual sense.
   • Make sure you understand the significance of an individual review. The more member reviews a review gets, the more accurate the results will be.
   • A personal recommendation: Do not hesitate to go for the full line of Castle Forbes products. They are considered to be (among) the best, and they will make your first shaves (and, truth be told, all subsequent ones) easier, and more pleasurable.

Everything else is just fluff. Do keep in mind that shaving with a straight razor is not rocket science, and a lot of what is being discussed is aimed at getting from 99% to 100% of what is technically achievable.

Or, as our fearless leader would put it: Have fun!!

Enjoy your stay, your shopping, and your shaves,
Robin

P.S. A current version of this text can be found in Shopping list for beginners - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Great post, Robin. As regards the first razor advice, I would simply add, go vintage, I wish I had.

yes, perfect post. Where with you with this info 8 years ago when I started with a straight?

Thanks for the advice Very well put together and thought out.

There is much good advice here!

This is an awesome summary for newbies confused with what they need. It should definitely be a sticky.

Awesome post.

I wish I could have read this before I bought my first razor (not shaved ready).

Lu

Thanks, great advice and perfect timing. I'm putting together my first set now and will definitely be keeping all your points above in mind (Fortunately, even though I've already made my first purchase - a razor, it fits the criteria: inexpensive vintage, shave ready, from very reputable seller, heavier (6/8), and stiffer (wedge)).

Next up - strop, and I'll be sure to make certain it's either an inexpensive starter, or an mid-range affordable one with replacible parts.

Thanks! Great post, and excellent advice. I would also suggest a round point on the first razor.

Gentlemen,

Many thanks for the feedback and constructive criticism. I have put the list into the Wiki, and made it part of our beginners guide: Shopping list for beginners - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Feel free to amend and enhance.

Regards,
Robin