Can you get into straights inexpensively?

Is it possible to get into straight with less money?

Looking at DE razors, it doesn't take much to either get s vintage usable DE razor and blades. Even very good new DEs can be had.


Can this be done with straight razors?

How much does one have to spend to give a straight a go?

 

Here is a thread I started, a while back. I hope it helps.

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/inexpensive-straights-hones-strops-etc-for-beginners.52233/

 

You can be used straights at a very reasonable price from some reputable vendors such as Whipped Dog. They should be in truly 'shave-ready' condition (i.e. Ready to use). New razors tend to run north of $100 and up. All one really needs is a decent shave-ready razor ($50) and a strop ($35+) and you're good to go.
See the above link for more info

 

Yes, you can get into straights will a low initial outlay. As you read through the thread you will see recommendations for a Whipped Dog sight unseen razor, poor man's strop which I think includes a pasted balsa strop. That is all that is needed. I think you can get going for about $75.

 

Realizing the term "inexpensive " is relative.

 

No

 

Yes you can. Next question.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

Yes you can. Buy the straight shave ready from somebody reputable and get a strop. Off you go.

I just PMd you some suggestions.

 

It also depends on how deep you want to get into "Straight Razor Shaving".

Do you just want to shave with any old straight? Or, do you want a beautiful one to shave with?
Do you want to hone your own? Or, are you fine with sending your razors out for sharpening 1-2 times a year?

 

I would ask some of the folks around here some of them could really help set you up I'm sure.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

Cheap razor. 25
+ strop. 50
+ honing and postage
30
___
Minimum. 105
But then ......
Better razors, basic hones, more razors, finishing hones, pastes, holders, storage, lapping films, 60x loops, more razors, then you get into restoring.
The most basic sr setup is way more than de.

 

I had gotten lucky with my first SR. I found it in an antique shop for $14 and then had it sharpened by @gssixgun . Honing and shipping was another $20-$25. I picked up a cheap strop on eBay for $16 and I was ready to go. So, for $50-$55 I was SR shaving.

I picked up a cheap stone afterwards for $35 to keep the blade keen and I still use it today. I've upgraded the strop and stones, but my original setup convinced me that I like SR shaving.

This way and the others mentioned here will get you into SR shaving for under $75 or so. It's not exactly cheap, but is not terribly expensive either. It might open up a whole new shaving experience to boot.

Btw, it was a comment or two from @HolyRollah around this very topic that got me started on SR shaving almost two years ago. I'm glad I took it up.

 

I enjoy sr shaving, I'm not trying to convince you not to.
But I'm being honest, it's not cheap. And you will search long and hard to get into it cheaply.
But it's money well spent if you enjoy it.

 

$43 for a Sight Unseen shave ready straight
$25 for the poor man's strop kit

= $68. That is all you need to get started. Is it higher than a DE? Sure, but not insurmountable. It is all relative, but for that price you've got a good kit that will help you determine if you like straights or not.

Now, you can certainly invest more into straights, such as a better strop (I went with a paddle to be able to focus on my technique), and if you decide to get into honing that will cost you a bit. But like with anything on this forum, for most of us it is more then just the practice of shaving, but everything else that goes with it.

 

Oh, we forgotten to mention that it's a deep deep rabbit hole. Yeah, once you're in, it becomes an addiction. Strops, stones, full hollow, half hollow, wedges, stones....

Hehehehehehe!

 

Whether you use a shavette or regular Straight Razor it doesn't have to be exhorbitantly expensive.
Most of us do it because of the skill required, the more pleasant shave, or the fact that guys like me who shave only once a week find it less frustrating than using a cartridge razor.
I'm sure that I could use a safety razor but I'm thinking that it really wouldn't work for me. (Straight Razors are going to shave no matter how short or long your facial hair it but safety Razors may not)

Most of us who Straight Razor shave usually do some form of honing. (More money)

Then the soaps, brushes and aftershaves...

 

It's the challenge of shaving like our grandfathers and great grandfathers. It the challenge of learning a new skill. It's also a great way to shave. Expect it to take 20 to 30 shaves before you know what you're doing and 100 shaves before you really have the knack. Expect a nasty cut or two as you learn. In the end, it's a very cool way to get great shaves and learn a skill that is a lost art today.

 

From experience Shavettes are not the same as Straights. They aren't a trainer for SR's either.

When you start shopping a round point 5/8" blade is the middle of the road size and safer toe. Any shorter height makes for difficulty keeping angle of attack, taller can make for viewing issues.

Larry at Whipped Dog has supplied many First SR's to new shavers. I own two. His Sight Unseen may not be a brand you've heard of. The scales may not be beauty queens. There may even be patina on the steel. It will be shave ready. That's not something you can expect from an ebay seller.

Our own Classifieds Section is a good place to shop, too. Place a WTB ad, or watch for something in the WTS. Peer Review keeps our own members/sellers honest and you ought to get what you pay for here.

 

A brand new Dovo, shave ready can be had for south of $75. A new strop for around &45. A lot less expensive than taking up golf

 

But I don't enjoy golf. I wasn't any good at it.

Sent from my phone using some app