Thread: Anyone having trouble Down Under....ahem.

I thought this thread was about straight razor shaving below the belt. Imagine my reaction to the thought of that!

Hi Old-School and Shimmy.

Yes you are right the exchange rate is the best it has been for quite a while, although it is still surprising just how much it adds on when you are getting several things.

I ordered some things from classic shaving a while ago but am kicking myself that I didn't get a few extra bits at the same time. In particular I wish I had got some diamond pastes as the postage doesn't really justify ordering them on their own. Will just to wait untill I have saved up for another purchase.

Shimmy, I am just down the road in Wellington. There is actually a reasonable selection of soaps, creams and brushes here. Let me know if you want something picked up and I can always post it up. Otherwise let me know if you are coming down and I can let you know the best places I have found to look. But yes as for hones or strops don't even bother looking.

Kasperitis, lol, sorry to disapoint!

Originally Posted by The Kiwi

Kasperitis, lol, sorry to disapoint!

I wasn't disappointed. I was relieved. :-P

Kasperitis, you weren't the only one who clicked on this one thinking "bikini area" shaving...

I'm certain there are folks on this forum who would readily admit enjoying a good video of lovelies str8 shaving "down under".

(if you have anything worth sharing, PM me!)

Just a bit of an update on the local sourcing front.
Carbatec (.co.nz or 09 274 9454) do a couple of honing compounds. They will ship out a catalogue to you, which is great too if you are into your woodworking.
The first is a polishing paste by Pfeil, and comes in a 450g tube for $39 (+ around 30% to include conversion from AUD and postage). The other is an unbranded blade honing compound and comes in a bar. This is $20 (+30% etc) for 180g and contains chromium oxide and "other" abrasives.
Both could work, but like any of the other products I have found in NZ it is hard to know what grit size we are looking at e.g. Rotorua Lapidary do a very fine grit product called Crystalite A (or something similar) that is used for polishing rocks. I asked them if they had a spec on the grit size, but this was clearly too hard.
I don't know.
In the end I have gone with a pre-pasted strop with diamond compounds and taken the hit with the multiple ordering from the States (Yes, over-cautious would be fairly accurate!!!!). Now please excuse me while I check my account......

In OZ (Sydney) there is a place in a big mall near bondi junction, called the Shave Shop I think. They had a couple of Dovo's and some yellow paste, perhaps they ship. Just another option. I'm here on a little vacation, (avoiding some Canadian winter I went from -26C to +26C), and found this shop by accident.
Gotta go, I'm off to the beach.
G

Gluegun,

Thanks for the update. Looks like you have put quite a bit of effort into this as well.

I took a hit a short while ago a got a norton 4/8k in, but would really like something to finish with. I actually have some Dovo red and green paste which I got at the same time that I am yet to try out, but I have also resigned myself that it will be back to importing something from the US. I really need a better strop to so I may go knocking on Tony's door. Gonna have to save a few pennies first though.

Gomez, thanks for that, I think I have seen a website for the shaving shop. Hope you are enjoying the holiday.

I'm amazed nobody has said it already. Some of you have hinted at it but my auld man would be ashamed of me if I DIDNT take the bait and say...

"I've never had any troubles down under. No sir, i've never had any complaints "

Well come on, someone had to say it. It may as well be me

Hey Kiwi,
Another option for a strop is on trade-me. Not the old, scuffed, nicked and nasty ones, but there is a lady who sells new shearing strops. It's no good as is, but can be modified with a swivel and decent handle. $20 buy now price. Let me know if this sounds likely for you and I will let you know how I went with it. There are a couple of things I would have done differently, but I have ended up with a pretty decent strop, all things considered. Photo's available on request!!!
The downside is you don't end up with a Tony Miller....and that would be a shame. His 4 sided paddle looks like a good all rounder if you want something for pasting and a side left for plain stropping.