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  1. #1
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    Default 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
    Last edited by mobriena; 07-12-2008 at 04:16 AM.

  2. #2
    Enjoying a bit of timor
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    Default

    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.

  3. #3
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    Default

    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.

  4. #4
    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
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    Default

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

    James.
    <This signature intentionally left blank>

  5. #5
    Member sssz's Avatar
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    Default Hi Matt

    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

  6. #6
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    Good luck to you, Matt.

    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, 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.

  7. #7
    Enjoying a bit of timor
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    Default

    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.

  8. #8
    JAS eTea, LLC netsurfr's Avatar
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    Default

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

    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!

  9. #9
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    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

  10. #10
    Bladed Valkyrie Silver's Avatar
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    Hi Matt

    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.

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