Newguy from Australia.... introduce myself

Hi all,

I've been reading these forums for a while now, but finally after a year of "gunna do it" I've taken the plunge towards using a straight razor. Since I expect my stuff to arrive any day now, I thought I had better introduce myself - I'm bound to be asking questions soon!

So I'm 31, and work as a senior manager in secondary education, in the academic side of things. I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - and there isn't as good resources for straight shaving over here. I enjoy woodwork, brewing (beer, AG from scratch) and cooking. Because of my woodwork and cooking (knives) I don't find honing at all daunting, so as soon as I need to I'll jump into that.

Funny story about how I finally decided to get a straight. I've been thinking about it for ages, as I need to be clean shaven, but a) hate the disposable society we live in, and b) I get shaver rash/burn really easily due to sensitive skin. I currently shave WTG only and every second day with a Gillette 500 blade thing (OK, its 5 blades, but you know how its going!). I'm over it, and because I've had two weeks holidays, I went looking locally thinking holidays would be a good time to start with a straight. In the city at a big shaving place, they had three Dovo's on display in a glass locked cabinet. I took my wife with me, and we decided it was time for me to take the plunge. Spoke to the girl serving in the store, and she freaked out when I said I wanted a straight.

"What do you mean you have never used one. They are only for trained people. Professionals practice on a balloon - if they pop the balloon they have just killed a client. It's way to dangerous, I can't sell you one of those - I don't think you understand how sharp they are - I cut myself unpacking them and needed two stiches. Now come and look at this Braun foil electric...."

My wife and I listened politely to how and why electric was better, rash free and no maintenance etc etc. We left the store soon after.

As we walked out, my wife turns to me and says "You're ordering one over the internet tonight, aren't you". It wasn't a question.

At least she understands me!

So I did - in fact I did a quick worldwide shopping trip. First stop was the UK, where I ordered the pair of shave ready Henckel’s from Steve at Introduction to razors along with a selection of soaps and a starter kit with brush, strop and honing paste. Then over to the US to get a 3" Heirloom latigo strop from Tony at The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier. Then back home to South Australia where a 4K/8K water stone is on its way from the Lie Nielsen tool works Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Australia | Home. Finally back to the US to order a copy of Lynn's DVD, from here with a PM!

After the worldwide shopping tour (all from my computer with a Pint of my finest homebrew in my hand) all my starting needs are on their way...

You can probably tell I have been reading SRP for a while to work out what to get!

Now to the shaving - stay tuned (once the stuff all gets here).

Matt

Hey there from another guy downunder.

good luck on your journey and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. There are a few of us aussies around who might be able to help you out with other shaving supplies if you need them.

Hi Matt,

Welcome! I'm located in Brisvagas as well, so if you have any questions let me know.

I've been using a straight for about 6 months now and I'm pretty happy with the shave. It will take you longer to shave (takes me 20 to 30 minutes even now), but you won't look back. I'm no expert, but I get by quite well myself.

You can pretty much forget finding any useful local suppliers.. you can get some stuff from the shaver shop in the Myer Centre (soaps, creams etc), but don't bother with the razors, they just have the standard low quality fit and finish Dovos.. Better to do what you have done and buy online from reputable suppliers.

I went with the Belgium stones and a DMT1200 for setting the bevel. It will take some practice to get the edge right, but the way I look at it is that it is a rare skill that I am learning and preserving and I like that :) I also made my own strops (onto my second one now after hacking up my first) - Make sure you get a practice one and get comfortable before you use the nice TM stop!!!

Anyway, welcome and all the best with your new obsession! :)
Cheers,
Ash.

Looks like Brisbane is becoming the straight razor capital of Australia! Welcome :)

James.

Hi Matt ,
Good to see more Aussies on the forum. I'm from Townsville, and have been straight razor shaving for about two months now. When I started out, I found myself having to get out the mach3 to tidy up the bits I had trouble with (my chin mainly) , but now my technique is getting better, I can do a full face shave and gave my mach3 away. Drop us a line if you need some help. I'm beginning honing at the moment too, So far its a work-in-progress.
Stu

Good luck to you, Matt.:tu

Over a period of many years, when getting haircuts, I had asked dozens of immediately horrified barbers about the average guy shaving at home with a straight razor, and without exception I was told I was insane to even think about trying it:gth, even though millions of merley mortal men have managed to shave this way successfully at home for centuries.

A gradual approach worked for me when I began the straight. The sides of the face were easy for me, but I did not do too well with most of the other areas, so I just used a modern safety razor to touch them up. And before very long I got the hang of straight shaving all portions of the face and neck successfully.:y

somewhat off topic:

Henry buck sell Taylor of Old Bond st shaving cream here in aus for $35 a tub:
Fragrance & Toiletries - Accessories - Henry Buck Pty Ltd

can order online

so yeah things can be acquired, it just takes a bit of research.

First of all, a great big WELCOME to the forum and the world of straight shaving!!! :tu

Sounds like you have been considering this for quite a while and have a great kit put together.

I know you said that you were a cook and a woodworker and were not intimidated by the honing aspect. I to have an extensive set of Japanese knives for my cooking and an extensive set of wookworking and wood carving tools that are kept extremely sharp. However, I have to tell you that honing razors is quite different. It's not that it is impossible or anything just different than sharpening any other tool. At least that has been my experience. There is a 9 part series that heavyduty put out that is excellent and I learned a lot from it even after I thought I was at the point where I had a pretty good handle on honing.

The 4K/8K is a great stone. I have also found that I like something just a bit finer as a polishing stone. The yellow coticule makes for a very nice polishing stone. I recently got a bit of Hone acquisition disorder (HAD) and purchased a Nakayama polishing stone from Old_School. I thought I had a beautiful edge with the yellow coticule but the edges I get now have to be experienced to believe them. Also, one thing that you probably already have since you are into woodworking and keeping those tools finely polished is green Cromium Oxide. I use this sometimes coming off my polishing stones and will use it in between honings to freshen up the edge a bit.

Well, enough of my ramblings...

Welcome again to the forum!

Thanks for all the welcomes! I can't wait to get going - I'm sure it won't be smooth sailing, but I'll cope. When I first started brewing from grain I would repeatedly say "Well they have been doing this for thousands of years, I can too". I have a feeling that straight shaving is going to give me the same kind of enjoyment!

I'll let you know how I go (and how I stuff up!)

Matt

Hi Matt:D

Welcome to the forum and the world of straight shaving. I've only been using a straight for a few weeks but I love it. And as your wife is understanding of your new hobby maybe she will join our ranks too.;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ashley

Hi Matt,
... you can get some stuff from the shaver shop in the Myer Centre ...

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Just a correction - that should be the razor shop, not the shave shop.

The Razor Shop - Brisbane - HOME

Cheers,
Ash.

G'day Matt. How ya going ?

Lucky the girl didn't sell you that razor with her blood on it. Probably all rusty by now :roflmao

You seem to have found your feet with the internet shopping.
May I recommend Mamma Bear's shave soaps. The ingredients are all natural and they lather like crazy.
Can't tell I'm a happy customer eh ?

Have fun with it mate.

Wish you many shaves & a steady hand.

You sound like a man with apurpose, I am surprised you listened to that salesgirl as long as you did, you should have talked to her manager.

Hi all,

Thanks again for all the welcomes!

It was a very exciting day yesterday when I got home - a big parcel from the invisible razor with all my stuff in it! Opened it all up and I was very impressed with the packing and the quality of it all.

I had a busy evening with work, so didn't get to look at it any more, nor plan for using it. However I woke up early and even though I had a big presentation to do today (only 180 people watching!!) I thought today was the day. My wife got in the shower, and I laid out everything to have a shave.

The first problem was the fogging mirror - luckily I had read somewhere on here that soap on the mirror fixes that - which it does!

Did my normal pre shave hot washer and then king of shaves priming oil. Opened up the soap, and tried to get a good lather - wasn't too successful, but got soap all over my face. I need to work on getting a better lather – I’m sure that would make a positive difference.

Shiny new blade - what could go wrong?! A seconds hesitation and away i went. Cheeks first, starting at the sideburns - no dramas. Swap to the right side, its a lot harder backhand, but still doable. Upper lip and chin is damn hard - nicked myself at the corner of the mouth, but no worse than I have done with the safety razor. The alum block is super cool – stings a bit, but wow – doesn’t it stop the blood flow!

Started on the neck, but was out of time – my wife was out of the shower and the pressure was on to leave! Had to finish with the mach, but was very pleased I didn’t have to touch up anything that had been done with the straight. A little razor burn after, but that wasn’t unexpected. I’m not convinced the razors are as sharp as they could be – but they have been halfway around the world and shaken who knows how.

I had a great time, and can’t wait for the next shave. I have to sort out stropping – can’t wait to get the new strop from Tony – this one (Dovo) seems very small! I also need to work out what to do with the yellow strop paste – do I put it on this strop as my pasted strop – and how much?

I’m really glad I bought a pair of old blades – they look and feel great, and I’m sure they remember what to do!

Onwards and upwards – the neck tomorrow! (shave that is, not slice I hope)

M

Ok

You're likely getting burn if you're pressing too hard or going at too steep an angle. Experiment with very little pressure.

Don't paste your daily strop. (nuff said)

Instead of going backhand, swap hands, most of us become somewhat ambidextrous with time, the sooner you get it down the better. (left side of the face with the left hand, right with the right)


Take your time.. don't be rushed for your first few shaves.

Good advice there on pressure and angle.

I think the yellow paste is basically a leather conditioner. A little infrequently would do.
Someone else may chime in on that but basic advice on stropping is keep the blade flat so you don't roll the edge.

You're right a good lather makes a huge difference. Experiment with water / soap ratios when you're not in a rush.
Did I mention Mamma Bear's soaps :tu

Thanks guys - and yes, I'm looking at Mamma bears soaps in my other browser window - what a choice though!

Just finished my second shave (first full shave, no Mach touch ups). Dropped my wife in to do some shopping, so came home and had as much time as I needed.

Figured I had better get the stropping thing happening, and think I've got the hang of it. The first 50 or so passes took forever, and I'm glad I'm doing this on the "packaged" strop (Dovo little one) rather than the one coming from Tony - the poor strop has a couple of nicks in it already! After 50 passes, the edge was definitley worse than when I started, along with the nicks in the strop - obviously I was doing it all wrong!

So I surfed around here for a while, and found a couple of video links. Turns out my idea was right, but I was using way to much wrist, and not allowing the spine to ALWAYS stay in touch. Once I worked out the idea was to get lift the blade edge before slowing the spine stroke down, and the change direction completly before puting the other blade edge down, it all started working. No more nicks in the strop, and after 100 passes it was popping hairs off my arm - not sure about the HHT, as my untouched razor (I bought two) would do it with my hair either. Another 50 passes and it seemed to be the same as my "reference" razor (!!) so I figured it was time to shave.

lathered up, this time with no oil - I thought that might help the soap stay better, but it really didn't make a difference - and the razor burn I have now tells me I need to keep using the oil!

Whole face this time - cheeks were easy, trying to cut in at the sideburns is a PITA (especially on the right side - wrong hand!), and doing the neck is just scary to start with! To many damn angle changes!

I tried doing left with right hand and vice versa, but my dominant hand is REALLY dominant - I think I have a lot to learn - I found myself not even holding the razor correctly by the end!

Anyway, did the whole face WTG and a couple of patches that needed it ATG (pretty much the same approach I use with the mach). I'm not super smooth - but about the same as the same approach with the mach. It took a lot longer (25 mins I suppose, after stropping) - and halfway through I switched to the as yet unused razor - I felt the hairs were really pulling, but I'm not sure if they were or if its the sound I'm not used to - its damn noisy! Both razors cut about the same, and afterwards I stropped them again, and they now pop hairs better than when I started, and kind of cut a hanging hair if I angle it right ;) I am looking forward to the wider strop so I can forget the x pattern - I think thats putting more hassel into it at this learning point.

I think I need to work out the angle a bit more (can't wait for Lynns DVD to get here!), and I think I need to get even more sharpness - I can't really let the blade do all the work - there is still a fair bit of pressure from me. I've got quite a few nicks in me this time, and some decent razor burn - but again no worse than I have had from the mach in the past - I think the oil really helps me there - it won't be being left off again!

Lots to learn, but enjoying it - its certainly not rocket science, but its not a walk in the park either!

Matt

P.S. Thank goodness for alum!

Welcome both to the forums and to the adventure of straight shaving!

If you wouldn't mind a bit of advice from a recent beginner, here's what I have

Don't be too hasty to doubt your equipment. All the reviews I've seen of razors from the Invisible Edge have been quite complementary as to the sharpness of the blades. Sure, it's possible you could have rolled the edge while stropping, but the single biggest variable in your shaving experience is, well, experience. Give your technique some time to develop.

Razor burn is, I believe, a pretty common beginner's experience here. My first shave was horrible! Modern safety razors (especially those with a pivot at the bottom like the Mach 3) teach us to press far too much. Use light, short, overlapping strokes and soon you will be getting BBS shaves with no razor burn. Since I switched to straights I have entirely lost a patch of chronic razor burn that I'd had since I was 14. After a shave I give myself a nice hydrating splash of Aloe Vera juice followed by an aftershave I've made from Witch Hazel, distilled water, aloe juice, and cologne.

Someone with more experience will probably chime in, but I believe the yellow Dovo paste is a leather conditioner and does not contain any abrasives. When you get your TM strop, you might want to use the Dovo for Chrome Oxide or another abrasive paste.

I'd be happy to come over and give you as much help as I can. You're in education, right? My wife is a Math (Maths) teacher and has been wanting to move to Australia ever since she studied at Wollongong. :w

Thanks for the suggestions!

Can I just clarify one thing - I am sure its me, not the razor - In no way was I suggesting I got something less than great from Steve at Invisible edge - My first shave was great, its the second one after stropping that wasn't crash hot, and theres only three things that could have caused that - me, myself or I!

I'm really pleased I ordered two razors, as I could compare what i'd done to one, and work out I'd stuffed it up - I think I'm working it out now though - but the proof will be in the shaving! Only problem is now I've used both, and between my course/thick/tough hair, bad tecnique and stropping... Maybe I better order another one - just don't tell my wife :w I told her this would be cheaper than mach blades!

Wollongong is a nice place - I'm a bit further north in Brisbane. Any help is appreciated, but I don't think you need to come over to show me :p Although we do need a new maths teacher at school....

M

Matt, Don't worry mate, The guys here are a great help & sounds like its coming together. Just hang in there and practice good habits.

BTW Mamma Bear's soaps are divided into Essential oil (EO ) & Fragrant oil (FO) bases so that may help you choose, if you like the all natural stuff but otherwise, yeah, spoiled for choice.

Wooohooo!!!! Congratulations Matt!:D:y

+10 on Mama Bear's soap, only problem is it is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE (MBAD). I've used my straight about 6 times so far on my legs and have yet to not nick myself, time and practice mate, time and practice.;)

Thanks Silver!

I'm not going to do my legs though - have a feeling I would have to strop after every stroke!

Shave three this morning - it officially takes me 15 minutes longer than my old shave (mach). Getting the angle less and reducing pressure made a massive difference - much more comfortable! Also used oil again, and tried the Dovo soap (in the silver screw top tin) I bought (was using Kent before) - think I like the Dovo more. BUt could just be doing better at making the foam!

Got a really decent cut on my chin - didn't feel it at all, but bled like a stuck pig - even the alum took 30 seconds to stop it. My wife says that alum is good, but it won't stop the bleeding of a lost limb, so to be careful!

Good fun.

M

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mobriena

" ... Professionals practice on a balloon - if they pop the balloon they have just killed a client. .... "

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:roflmao Oh stop! :roflmao *wipes tear from eye* :roflmao PLEASE!!! :roflmao

Sounds like you'll do fine here, Matt. Good to see you.

X