Reddit mentions: The best hair removal razor strops

This is doable for much less than $600. When I started shaving w a SR I figured it would take about 2 years of shaving to pay off the initial cost. Although if I am being honest I probably spend more now on razors than I did before.

For the most basic of kits you will need a:

• Razor Not really shave ready (used $40 or new $150-200)
  
  
• Sharpening stones $100 (I use DMT, but you can also use japanese water stones. I like dmt because they are always flat and in my experience last longer. You probably need a fine/extra fine (600/1200 grit) and an extra extra fine (8000 grit))
  
  
• Strop ($20 -amazon)
  
  
• Strop compound ( a $5 bar of cromium oxide goes a long way)
  
  
• Brush ($12-35 amazon)
  
  
• Soap ($2-10 depending on what you want)
  
  That's the basics really. You can spend more on aftershave, preshave, synthetic brushes, creams whatever. If you know how to sharpen/strop I would definitely recommend a used razor off ebay ( a nice one you don't have to restore). If you don't know how to sharpen I recommend you get some stones and learn anyway it isn't very hard. Though you may want a cheap $10 razor to practice on just in case. The hardest part is choosing a brand (or buying just one razor). For used razors you have some things to consider:
  
  
• Handle/scales - not broken, pins are ok
  
  
• Blade- no rust, no chips, no excessive spine wear, no weird angles from sharpening, you can polish some imperfections out but not too many and you probably don't want to restore a razor before you learn to use one.
  
  
• Brand- Wade/butcher are good. Dubl duck are good (but probably overpriced/hyped), E A Berg are good, Boker is good, CV Heljestrand- good those are all I have presently but basically anything made in sheffield, solingen, or eskilstuna should be ok to shave with after they are sharpened.
  
  You may also want to try a double edge (DE) razor but then you still need blades (although they are very very cheap) I am not sure if that is a requirement here or not.

I don't think you'll get any good straight razor from Amazon, especially at that price point. You can get a straight handle with disposable blades (look for Shavette) from there. Amazon has one or two good brands but they're most likely not properly sharpened by Amazon and I can almost assure that you'd have to send it out to someone before using it.

You can check out this article on Straight Razor Place about getting items on a budget. I usually suggest these full straight razor kits, which start at $160 and include a proper straight razor (sharpened), strop, brush, brush stand, soap, mug and styptic.

Things you can get on Amazon are this brush for $11, and Proraso soap for $9. This $32 strop would work well. If you get a strop from Amazon make sure it's Fromm as some of the other brands I saw on the first few pages were made in Pakistan and probably lousy.

Lastly you can check out the SRP classifieds for deals. Most of our vendors are active members who also sell through their websites: Dylan, Ben, Glen, and Larry should all have affordable shave-ready razors listed.

1000 grit can get an ok edge at best, so you definitely need at least a cheap leather strop with a cheap compound for that quick edge that every one chases.

Strop

Compound

These two boys should be more than enough.

As for sharpening with a stone, you should start out on one side stroking back and forth on the stone with medium pressure until a very uniform burr forms, (how to feel the burr with your finger) it should extend all the way from the very tip to heel without any pause for an optimal edge.

On the 300 grit stone, this may take anywhere from 40-60 back & forth strokes, but I have no experience with whatever steel Global uses so take this with a grain of salt. If you can't get the burr within 100 strokes and while using a good amount of pressure (3-4 pounds) then you are probably holding the knife at an improper angle. If this is a problem, train yourself using this technique

Then repeat on the other side until you have a uniform burr on that side. Remember, the burr appears opposite from the side which is making contact with the stone.

Then you want to start gently removing the burr by performing strokes with the edge trailing, at a lighter pressure with one stroke on each side. Once the burr can no longer be felt, go for another 20-30 repetitions for good measure. You must do this part with the edge trailing or you will have done all your work for nothing.

After you are done with this on your 300 grit side, use the 1000 grit side and do the same thing. Just keep in mind that the 1000 grit stone will produce a smaller burr which may be harder to feel, may take more repetitions to achieve the uniform burr, and may take more time to remove the burr.

Once you are done with your stones, you must take out your strop with compound applied to it. (To apply compound, heat up the side with the rougher leather with a hair dryer or by other means, and rub the compound bar in with good force. You should aim for a uniform, but fairly thin application. You will only need to do this occasionally after the first time.)

Make one edge-trailing stroke on each side with light pressure, and repeat 20 times at minimum.

If you find that your edge has dulled after a day of use, you can strop it to bring it back to sharpness. Many people will perform a quick strop it after they use their knife everyday, or between several days. That way you will keep the amount of time spent on a whetstone to a minimum.

Congratulations, you've read my wall of text and probably have a razor sharp knife in your hands. Enjoy.

I believe it's worth less than $10, I have absolutely no faith in the 3 reviews left for it on amazon, if to you it's worth $70 then you have yourself a bargain.

What sort of cow hide? Latigo? bridle?

Did you read the reviews? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shaving-Factory-Leather-Strop-Handle/dp/B00CXUE4WU one mentioned it should have failed QA as it had nicks in it, the other one was a gift for someone for Xmas and obviously purchased by some one with no idea and no intention of using it.

You might as well just suggest they get this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/171004423639 the seller has 99.1% positive feedback, the strop is sure to be awesome, and a bargain! /s

This problem could be solved if you're willing to put a little more love into it. I've been thinking about getting one of these babies and a honing stone and a nice strop. These things will last you the rest of your life if you treat them well enough.

If you are getting a traditional knife then consider also budgeting for a few types of whetstones. Learning how to use them and caring for a high carbon steel knife is part of the art and tradition.

I have these stones:

Seido 600/1000

Seido 3000/8000

Leather Strop (because it's a handy way to hone)

Flatening Stone (to level the whetstones after they show wear)

Video on Sharpening a Single Bevel Knife

Post your knife choice, once you buy it. Good luck!

The only straight razor I would consider buying on Amazon is this one. Lee at WSP takes Gold Dollar razors and fixes them up so that they're shave-ready. I haven't shaved with one of his edges, but word is that he does a good job. You'll also need a strop (not sure about the quality of the Fromm, but the one I like would blow your budget), a brush and some soap or cream.

The head blade is great. I like the sport model of the previous generation. As for replacement blades, it's not that costly if you use this trick on the headblade.

Instead of using jeans, I use my leather guitar strap. Jeans should work fine. Or you could get fancy and buy a strop.

In any case, I shave my head every 1 - 2 days. One blade typically lasts 2 - 3 months for me.

This is what I use for my kitchen knives. Works fantastic. I can get really sharp edge on my chef knives.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZET0M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would also recommend a leather strop for getting a razor edge after using the 1000 grit side of the wet stone.

https://www.amazon.com/Straight-Razor-Leather-Sharpening-Barber/dp/B00S2WVWTQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481214592&sr=8-2&keywords=leather+strop

i think im getting the fromm strop, it had pretty good ratings strop

apart from that i have a buncho of japanese whetstones

Here is the strop and here is the dressing.


As far as blades I have astra and feathers. I remember you had some samples of MRGLO, I would love to try that if you still have some. The strop has been used maybe 2 times, I just couldn't get into straight shaving since I seem to always be in a hurry and it doesn't seem to work for me as well as a DE.

Yep, strop, this particular kind is good for straight razors for shaving.

straight razor

strop

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DYM5TG

Picked up this one for myself about a year ago, give or take. Just bought it again for my father as a christmas present. I'm pleased with it, but don't leave it in your bathroom if it gets very humid when you shower. Personal lesson learned.

Try a strop. Maybe impregnate one side with some jeweler's rouge.

Here's one on Amazon for $18: http://www.amazon.com/Scalpmaster-Barber-Strop/dp/B000NJG80O

Thank jebus for the internet

edit for wrong link