Aussie Straight Razor Enthusiast

Hi Guys,

I have always been keen on using a straight razor just haven't got around to trying it. I recently bought a Dovo Shavette and have been shaving with it for about a month now. My first shave I thought I was doing ok but a month later I now realise how bad my first shave really was. I have put in hours of research before purchasing a real straight razor, just about every piece of beginner information told me I should start out with a full hollow ground 5/8 blade but being the stubborn man that I am I went for the razor that I really wanted.

I have just purchased a Thiers Issard Spartacus with a 6/8 blade, Festonne Spine, Dreadnought point and Ebony scales. I know what all you seasoned straight razor users are thinking- "look at this young Aussie getting a little too keen buying that as his first straight razor". But my plan is to slowly replace my Shavette with my Thiers Issard straight razor. As far as honing and stroping goes I still have a lot of research to do but I have spent most of my life sharpening hunting and skinning knives so I have a fair idea what I am in for.

Last but not least I see a lot of discussions on this forum about the types of steel used to make straight razors. Most of the information I see on here is fairly accurate, some information is definitely old wives tales..... I am a Project Manager for a company that makes machinery parts and I work with an engineer and a Draftsman all day everyday not to mention I literally have a Vickers Hardness Tester sitting right next to me in my office. I would not consider myself an expert when it comes to this topic but I do have a bit of experience, knowledge and access to a very knowledgeable Mechanical Engineer. So any questions about Straight Razor steel? I will be happy to help out where I can.

Thanks for letting me use this forum and happy shaving!

SamSpartacus

Welcome aboard Sam looks like you are on the right track
Where in Qld are you there be others near you who can help you along also

Substance I would be north of you, in Cairns. Thanks for the offer of help I am sure I will have some questions along the way.

Hi, Im Andrew.

Im also new to this but have laid out some dollars for nice razors... The way I figure it, razor prices only seem to be going up, so if it doesnt work out for you personally, you can always resell, with either a small loss or perhaps a profit. Plus, I didn't want to be turned off the pursuit due to a bad razor or a style that didn't suit me, hence getting a few. Im hoping this hobby will serve me well in the long run... initially I thought that over 30 years of shaving it would be cheaper to use a straight.... but can't really say that now as I didn't stick to a single razor, and a bit of RAD has set in already lol.

The guys on here are great, and we're having a Brisbane meetup this Sunday 1.30 at Newfarm in Brisbane... Id recommend you come along if you can. Will be my first time meeting these fine gentlemen, and they would welcome you warmly as they have done for me.

I'm in West End Brisbane, you?

G'Day Sam,

Nothing wrong with buying a razor you really like. I like you started with a shavette and then moved on to a straight. It's not to difficult to learn to strop and maintain your blade, it just takes a bit of practice is all. Mishaps happen, strops get cut, razors edges get knocked on faucets or dropped, but in my experience it has lead me towards learning more, meeting likeminded people and generally more enjoyment of my chosen art.

Its been a bit of a learning curve for me, a few mishaps in the beginning, but mostly these days I just have relaxing shaves with no dramas. A BBS shave is achievable when I want one, but often I settle with a DFS, just because I can. My skin is better than it ever has been and I only experience irritation when trying something new nowadays. Straight shaving has become my 20 minute routine free of the worries of the day, a place where I concentrate on me and the art of shaving. I just love it.

I don't hone as such except to use a 12K barbers hone to touch up a dull edge, but at the moment I'm happy with that as a set of hones is a stretch for me. I would love to learn, but I just can't justify the cost. There are also a few honemeisters in Qld. I'm sure they will be along to introduce themselves soon.

Were having a meet up in Brisbane this Sunday, maybe you could come along and meet some of the guys, i'm sure it would be useful to you… I'm sure looking forward to it….

Welcome to SRP…Enjoy :)

Kevinred and AndrewJM I really appreciate the offer and if I lived around the Brisbane area I would definitely come along so you could teach me a thing or 2 about straight razors. But I live far north of you guys in Cairns. My obsession with straight razors has definitely already started, not just using them but also the different types and how they are made. Good to meet some other Aussie's along my straight razor journey! Keep in touch!

Great to see you coming to the aid of a newbie Kev (again) :) SamSpartacus... Kevin was one of the very helpful and time-generous members here who helped me heaps when I first joined :)

G'Day SamSpartacus and a warm welcome to you.
Congratulations on your choice of razor - I have a similar one in 7/8th and have had the pleasure of honing two 7/8 TI Oakwings as well.
It's a pity you can't make it down this weekend for the catch-up, however, if you are ever in the area, it would be my pleasure to meet-up and show you my collection (such as it is) and discuss shaving related things.

Hi and welcome from W.A. Since you have a shavette if you just start on the easy areas and before you know it you will be using that beautiful TI full time. Any questions feel free to ask and good luck.

Heya SamSpartacus, welcome to the fold. We all have RAD so don't feel like you had to start on one particular blade, smooth shaving mate.

This is what I have been learning to shave with

Ah I'm late to the party I see, but at least I got here before that Ed bloody Hewitt bloke :). Welcome to the forum Sam.


Mick

Welcome sam, and yes it would seem you got here much earlier than me mick :)
So you are a few months in now sam, how are you getting on?

Hi Sam, you might as well hear from all the Qld SR/CT crew.

Thiers Issard eh? Good buying! You might as well start out with quality.

Let us know how you go. We'll be here when you run into something unexpected.

regards

Mike