Thread: g/f needs gift-giving advice

Hello all,

My boyfriend has sensitive skin, and he always complains about shaving with his disposable razor. His birthday's coming up and I thought a straight razor would be a great gift. I've read a bunch of stuff in the forums here, but now I'm feeling more hesitant to buy one, so I need some advice.

Mainly, is this a good gift idea for a guy who's never used a straight razor in his life? It looks like any decent razor is going to cost me at least $75-$100, plus I'd have to buy a brush, and if you count shipping and taxes, I'm probably looking at minimum $150. That's more than I anticipated spending, especially if it's something he may not use.

However, he's really into cooking so he knows a lot about knives and how to care for them. Also, again, he complains about his disposable razor.

Thoughts? Advice? What brand and/or type of razor would be good for a newbie? Also, I live in NYC--does anyone know of stores that sell shaving supplies? I might be able to save some cash if I'm not paying shipping and I'd love to find a shop in which I can talk to a real person.

Thanks for your help!

One thing to consider about a straight razor is that you'd be giving a gift that would require a lot of time, attention, and effort on his part. Possibly a fair bit of money, too, if he decides he likes it and bumps into this crowd.

A decent starter kit wouldn't necessarily have to cost too much, but he would need (at a minimum) a strop, a barber's hone, a brush, some soap or cream, and, of course, the razor itself. That's my opinion - others may have different notions about it.

To cut back on initial costs, you could also start him off in steps, like getting him a nice badger brush and some soaps/creams. It's bound to improve his experience with his disposables. Then, if he seems to take to the idea of wetshaving, maybe you could do the rest for Xmas.

PM sent!!!!!!

A double edge, good shaving cream, good a/s and cheap brush, a blade sampler pack, and you have a great gift.

What is that? $50-60?

Will follow up.

It's hard to say if he would like a straight razor. Maybe have a chat with him about them and spill the beans a little to get his reaction. Which straight razor, brush and shave soap/cream can be the surprise. Don't forget the strop.

Another option may be to go along a little at a time. Maybe a brush and shave soap/cream to start with. A DE may be the right place to start or a Shavette (replaceable blade straight razor like most barbers today use) to see if that is where he would like to go.

Good luck.

I think your price estimate is a bit high. You can get a great, shave ready razor right here on the classifieds. And, if you ask, I'm sure many members would be more than happy to include some soap and/or cream samples. You can get him a boar hair brush to start; they can be found at stores like Walgreen's for maybe $5 or so. A strop is important, but there are many alternatives to buying a strop (newspaper on a flat surface, an old pair of jeans, etc).

As far as being hesitant about getting him a straight and kit, there are other options. Joki mentioned a DE; while I'm not personally a DE fan, I do think they are easy to use, provide great shaves, and are much gentler on the skin than a cartridge razor (I have sensitive skin too, and that's why I got into straights). I don't know much about DE's, but I do know they can be had for not much money at all. They don't require the strop, and they are a gentle introduction to wetshaving.

I also want to add that, as someone who has recieved shaving related gifts from non-straight users, just the thought alone really means a lot. Noting something he might be interested in and taking the time to do research is a really thoughtful gesture, and I know he'll appreciate that.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

. . . As far as being hesitant about getting him a straight and kit, there are other options. Joki mentioned a DE; while I'm not personally a DE fan, I do think they are easy to use, provide great shaves, and are much gentler on the skin than a cartridge razor (I have sensitive skin too, and that's why I got into straights). I don't know much about DE's, but I do know they can be had for not much money at all. They don't require the strop, and they are a gentle introduction to wetshaving.

I also want to add that, as someone who has recieved shaving related gifts from non-straight users, just the thought alone really means a lot. Noting something he might be interested in and taking the time to do research is a really thoughtful gesture, and I know he'll appreciate that.

I agree with holli4, all of the above advice is given by some guys who know whereof they speak. Your friend is lucky to have you thinking about him in this regard. Speaking for myself, I enjoy shaving much more since I started looking at it from "this side". Good luck!

Before you spend a cent on a straight razor sit down and talk with him. He may or may not be interested. Using an open blade is not for everyone and even thinking about may make him nervous.
Starting with a DE might be an good choice if he is not interested in a straight. Most everything is the same except the razor itself and blades if a DE, strop and hones with a straight.
I will tell you that a new DE and a sample pack of blades will cost much less.
You might find some Kiss My Face cream easily, and an Omega boar brush will cost less than $20. A lathering bowl can come from the kitchen for a start. New Merkur razors go for $30-35 (I think, its been awhile) and a blade sampler pack maybe $15 (a guess).
Either will be a huge improvement over what he currently uses, and nicer for you also!

Thanks to the members here I (could) have easily gotten into this for under $50. I had a strop, cream, a/s and bowl for free, and was gonna get a $10 brush which I did, and a $35 razor, which I did.

Unfortunately I was talked into another razor and that tacked in another $45, plus a nice strop, another $65, and now I'll probably be getting a hone.

So yeah, your gift may be more then you expected, but it's gonna cost him a lot more then either of you expected.

Originally Posted by JokiJo

Thanks to the members here I (could) have easily gotten into this for under $50. I had a strop, cream, a/s and bowl for free, and was gonna get a $10 brush which I did, and a $35 razor, which I did.


Unfortunately I was talked into another razor and that tacked in another $45, plus a nice strop, another $65, and now I'll probably be getting a hone.

So yeah, your gift may be more then you expected, but it's gonna cost him a lot more then either of you expected.

Yeah, but that'll be out of his pocket. She just needs to get him started. To the OP, if you send me a PM, I may be able to help you out with some stuff. The post-requisite for any PIF's would be that you get your dude to sign up and join the community!

By the way, where do I find one of the girlfriends who likes to buy shaving equipment for her man? Mine still looks at me like my head was attached upside down when I shave.