Thread: Confused in Canada

Hello Gents,

I have decided to get into SR shaving and have spent the last two months reading as much as I can about it. I have gone from knowing nothing, to being very sure about what to buy, to not so sure (a case of the more you know, the more you realize you don't know).

I am hoping to be able to bounce some ideas off the experienced members here so I make some good decisions. I'm not too consrained by budget, and I dislike the idea of buying more than once. "Buy the best, cry once."

So, here is what I think would be a decent setup:
Hart Steel 6/8 round point polished
Castle Forbes pre-shave, cream, after shave
Strop
Rooney or Simpsons brush
brush stand

What do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Wells

That's a great list of gear! The only caution I would throw out is buying an expensive blade and then finding you don't like it.....although the hart you're looking at is in the classifieds from gugi (a GREAT seller and all around great guy) right now!


Edit: Oh and there is no such thing as buy once around here with straight razors! RAD is am epidemic here!!!

Welcome Wells to the forum. I agree with Benjaman Barker go for a more modest blade to start off with such as an entry level Dovo perhaps. Trust me the cheaper razors cut just as well, and are just as cool as the high rent blades. If down the road you still love straight shaving. Then maybe invest in another blade, and go from there.
Have fun my friend!!!

Wells,

Welcome to the forum. Grab a mentor if you can. Ryan82 is in Alberta (Edmonton, I think)....he may be close enought to help, ...one on one.

I would suggest, as the others have, to purchase a modest blade that has been refurbished. Our classifieds are a great place to look, and 99 times out of 100 the blade comes shave ready. Look for a reputable seller and you'll do fine.

On the topic of brushes....that's a whole other can of worms. You'll probably end up buying a few before you settle on the loft and knot you enjoy....so again, something middle of there road to start off. No need to drop $200 on a Simpsons right away.

Soaps....there are good ones and there are not so good ones, and again, personal preference is all over the place. Some guys love Williams, some hate it. Proraso is a good bet across the board, and lathers quite easily under almost any water conditions. You can get it from Shopper's drug mart for $9, and the green or white (either line....) will last at least 8 months.

Strop...now here's where I differ. Get a good one right away. The price for a cheapy is roughly the same cost as the replacement leather from SRD for their Premium Lines. So you might as well drop on a good SRD strop, and when you nick it to heck buy the replacement leather from them. At least you'll be using a quality strop the whole time.

Brush stand, you can use whatever you want. I order mine from Ian Tang on ebay for 1.99 each. I have to wait three weeks to get them, but I order a couple at a time. Black acrylic across the board in my shave cabinet. Function over beauty for me in this department.

That's my two cents man. PM me if I can help with anything.

I made my own brush stand out of a coat hanger and sprayed it with some black paint. Not the prettiest but cost me nothing and it works. I'll buy one someday but for now it's good enough.

Welcome from a fellow Albertan Sounds like you're definately going for a good setup there right off the bat. Just make sure the razor is properly/professionally honed so that you don't have to worry about if its the razor during the learning curve. Hopefully its something you enjoy and if you've done all that research to pick your gear it souds like you'll be just fine. Good luck.

Hey Wells, welcome to SRP!

You've already received some great advice, can't add too much more. Shoot me a pm if you need any help. I don't make it to GP often, but give me a heads up if you're ever down in the Edmonton region.

Cheers,

Ryan

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is nice to know there are people willing to help out and bounce ideas off of.

I'm hearing you all loud and clear about buying a modest razor first. Based on that I am reconsidering my choice. My reasons for selecting the Hart were:

1- consistently good reviews, and a reputation for being shave ready
2- classic shaving offers a sharpening service (something I have not yet found in Canada)
3- I'm very hesitant to buy a used razor. Hepatitis lives for a long time and the consequences of contracting hepatitis C are quite severe. My step-father caught it from tainted blood after a car accident. The "cure" was chemotherapy. Daily injections that caused symptoms similar to a horrible case of the flue - for one year. As I was involved with his care this has stuck with me.

I suspect the risk is actually quite low, especially if the razor has been sharpened (removing material), so I wil give this some more thought.

To the gentlemen in Edmonton, well, I might just have to come up with an excuse to come see you. It might cost me a trip to IKEA though

Thank you all again for your time.
Wells

Check the classifieds for Members services....sharpening.

I'm pretty sure there's some guy in there from Canada.

Originally Posted by Maxi

Check the classifieds for Members services....sharpening.

I'm pretty sure there's some guy in there from Canada.

Oh yeah, there he is. Maybe I'll shoot him a PM when I get my new razor.

Thank you again guys. Your help has/will make this process a lot easier.

Wells