Hi there,
I'm new to the forum and extremely excited about delving into the world of wet shaving with a straight. I absolutely hate electrics, hate disposables, hate the canned shaving gels/creams and have been tolerating a 5 blade gillette razor. Sick of it. I want to enjoy the ritual of shaving, not loathe it.
After much research on prices and company reputations, I've decided to go with a starter's set from straightrazordesigns.com and I wanted you experts out there to confirm whether or not these are all worthy products for me and if it's a good deal at $160:
-5/8 Dovo best quality razor with black scales
-2'' SRD latigo strop
-Shaving mug
-SRD shaving soap (I can choose between 12 different scents)
-Simpson Beaufort 4 Pure Badger Brush
-Brush stand
-Styptic pencil
I was especially attracted by the fact that they hone your razor and it comes completely shave ready. I think individually all of those items would cost $210+
Now, I don't know if it matters or not, but I have a thin, angular face and do not grow thick/dense facial hair. It's sparse/patchy. My British friend called it fashionably patchy lol.
So is that a good razor? Good size for me to start with? Good brush? Is there anything else that I would want/need? I was thinking of purchasing some aftershave and matching cologne separately and maybe some preshave oil. Recommendations for oil? If you're familiar with the SRD shaving soap, is there a particular scent that you highly recommend? I'm 24 and worried that certain scents might smell a bit too mature/older man for me.
Last question: I smoke cigarettes and was wondering if there is a shaving soap/aftershave scent I can buy somewhere that somewhat blends well with the scent of tobacco. Two blocks away from me here in Chicago I have what is apparently and awesome shop called Merz Apothecary that sells tons of shaving stuff where I can smell various soaps. Supposedly they have a good selection. It was voted 12th best boutique in the world by a certain magazine whose name is escaping me.
Thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to being part of this online community. As a previous lurker I've seen that it's a respectful community of gentlemen who appreciate the finer things in life and I hope I can fit in well despite my young age.
I'm new to the forum and extremely excited about delving into the world of wet shaving with a straight. I absolutely hate electrics, hate disposables, hate the canned shaving gels/creams and have been tolerating a 5 blade gillette razor. Sick of it. I want to enjoy the ritual of shaving, not loathe it.
After much research on prices and company reputations, I've decided to go with a starter's set from straightrazordesigns.com and I wanted you experts out there to confirm whether or not these are all worthy products for me and if it's a good deal at $160:
-5/8 Dovo best quality razor with black scales
-2'' SRD latigo strop
-Shaving mug
-SRD shaving soap (I can choose between 12 different scents)
-Simpson Beaufort 4 Pure Badger Brush
-Brush stand
-Styptic pencil
I was especially attracted by the fact that they hone your razor and it comes completely shave ready. I think individually all of those items would cost $210+
Now, I don't know if it matters or not, but I have a thin, angular face and do not grow thick/dense facial hair. It's sparse/patchy. My British friend called it fashionably patchy lol.
So is that a good razor? Good size for me to start with? Good brush? Is there anything else that I would want/need? I was thinking of purchasing some aftershave and matching cologne separately and maybe some preshave oil. Recommendations for oil? If you're familiar with the SRD shaving soap, is there a particular scent that you highly recommend? I'm 24 and worried that certain scents might smell a bit too mature/older man for me.
Last question: I smoke cigarettes and was wondering if there is a shaving soap/aftershave scent I can buy somewhere that somewhat blends well with the scent of tobacco. Two blocks away from me here in Chicago I have what is apparently and awesome shop called Merz Apothecary that sells tons of shaving stuff where I can smell various soaps. Supposedly they have a good selection. It was voted 12th best boutique in the world by a certain magazine whose name is escaping me.
Thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to being part of this online community. As a previous lurker I've seen that it's a respectful community of gentlemen who appreciate the finer things in life and I hope I can fit in well despite my young age.