Newguy from Australia.... introduce myself

[mobriena]

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