Ideas for a Newbie DE or Straight Starter Kit

[qhsdoitall]

One of the things I found when first researching wet shaving was that there were far too many things to buy to get me going. As you all know, there still is. Even though I had been shaving for 30+ years, I basically had to start from scratch. The one thing I think that would have helped even more is some type of recommended starter kit for either DE or straight razor wet shaving. I'm not sure if anyone should jump right into str8 shaving but who am I to say.

I know everyone has their favorite rigs and so on but if you were a newbie on a limited budget and wanted to get started with wet shaving with the least hassle what would you recommend as a starter rig? Things like DE razor or entry level straight, blade sampler, 1 soap, 1 cream, brush, bowl, damage control, etc. You have to think about cost, consistent ease of acquiring and usage so that the transition to wet shaving is made easier, pleasant and without breaking the bank.

[rick]

Here ya go:

C&E BBB
Gillette SS
Proraso Green cream
AquaVelva Classic AS
Witch hazel and Aloe gel ASB (homemade, of course)

[xChris]

First, there are many different kits that can be assembled based on what the budget is -- there's no way around that.

For straights -- the immediate choice is a Well Shaved Gentleman starter set (http://shop.thewellshavedgentleman.com/categoryNavigationDocument.hg?categoryId=5). You'll get everything needed to start shaving right away, and the quality is right there too.

Now, if a person is trying to get by with less, then the question becomes how much work is willing to be put forth into it. You can get a razor cheap on eBay, but will have to consider restoration work and levels. This will also change the bottomline of cost.

[PalmettoB]

Man, this one has been debated over and over on other boards...

Do you spend a little more to start and get a badger brush? Most of us would say a badger brush is better than a boar in most situations. But boar brushes are still available at the local drugstore, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart.

Merkur is one of the few modern manufacturers (Parker/Weishi maybe?) that still makes a good DE razor that is readily available. If you go the eBay route or local antiques store, you might get a good Gillette DE (or you might not).

Most will start with Williams or Colgate mug soap because you can buy that locally.

With all those questions in mind, here would be my recommendation:
For straights, the starter kit at The Well Shaved Gentleman that Chris recommends is a good place to begin. I think ClassicShaving offers a similar rig.

For DE shaving, I would say to get a Merkur HD or "classic" razor, a pure badger brush (Crabtree & Evelyn best badger brush, TweezerMan, etc.), a cheap, wide latte or coffee mug, Kiss My Face creams or Williams mug soap, DE blades like Personna, Derby, and Merkur, and a decent, cheap aftershave (Aqua Velva, Old Spice, etc.) and a styptic pencil and some witch hazel.

[MaduroMan_wcp]

try antique malls, you can pick up good supplies there for a small amount of money.

I have about 20 different razors now, all picked up @malls and garage sales. most I paid was $15.

same thing with mugs and brushes.

[Mottern Man]

Don't forget this

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153

[qhsdoitall]

Don't forget this

http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153

I didn't. Some of that changed though with Target dumping Proraso. One of the criteria is readily and consistently available. The reason being 1) Maybe a standard kit can be made available for sale by someone at reasonable cost to newbies and 2) low cost ease of entry will suck people in for "upgrades" and finally full blown DE/str8 ADholicism.

Which reminds me. I need to start an ADholic thread in chatterbox. I also need ideas for stickies. Don't give me those here. I'll post something later.

[Mottern Man]

I was thinking about getting a bunch of stuff whole sale and selling starter kits passing on the savings, I just don't have the funds to do so.

[TraderJoe]

Great Thread.

My [DE - Double Edge] kit recommendation would be:

Merkur HD or Gillette Tech*
Blade Sampler
The Gentleman's Quarter Shave Soap*
Aqua Velva
Moisturizer/Balm if needed

*These selections were made as I find them very forgiving in the way of poor technique.

[qhsdoitall]

I was thinking about getting a bunch of stuff whole sale and selling starter kits passing on the savings, I just don't have the funds to do so.

Exactly. Not the primary end goal but a consideration. Hand something to a newbie and say "this will get you started on the road to wet shaving oblivion." Or, at least an idea of where to start.

[DragonBoy]

The EU-version of the starter Kit..

Merkur HD
Blade sampler from René (SSLstudio)
Muehle Pinsel Pure Badger
EuroPalmolive Stick and/or Cream

This stuff is kind of aviable in the EU, for a not that steep bag of money..