Reporting in!

Hey guys,

I'm coming all the way from Malaysia where we still live on trees, and we have an ex-dictator who won't shut up. Australians call him incalcitrant. We locals are lest subtle about what we call him.

Anyway, straight raszor shaving is almost unheard of here, save a few elder ethnic Indian barber shops who still perform the straight razor shave for a small fee (but using refillable razors that costs around USD1 a piece) They do a good job nevertheless.

Everyone (else) here uses Gillette, which is a pity. They are expensive, and the shave quality is bad. I could never remove the grains underneath my chin and neck areas without nicking myself or not removing them cleanly enough.

So I recently drew inspiration from the barbershops after suffering years with the Mach3. I wish to graduate to straight razor shaving! Of course, I only thought the refillable types existed until doing research online.

Spurred on by the stinging sensations and the awful smell from the can of Gillette shaving foam, after several Google searches and some research, I stumble upon 'real' straight razor shaving!

I'm all set and raring to join the genteel tradition of shaving like a gentleman; the only problem is to obtain a proper razor! Nobody sells them here in my country (or so I think) and I'm reduced to online purchasing. The only thing I fear is the bothersome (and somewhat dodgy) Customs Department confiscating my precious razor after purchasing it for USD100++ (which isn't a small sum to me considering the exchange rate). Should I chance it?

I'm also stumped on buying a proper polishing stone for the razor. The ill-equiped shops here do sell some stones but they do not come with a grit rating. Should I chance it?

A hearty welcome to SRP!! I hope all works out for you. :jedi:

Firsta of all welcome to SRP!

You can't find straight razors at all in Malaysia? What did the barbers used until they got disposable blades?
Check the customs rules and ask them about blades.About the hones, with the wrong hone you could do more damage than good to your blade.

//Victor

I would first look into a domestic company to get what you need, there are no doubt companies that make their living dealing with the import officals and know how to get just about anything past them. Here is a web site that can help and hopefully there is someone that can help you: Malaysia Products, Manufacturers, Importers and Suppliers. Again look for an import company, these companies spend their entire career doing what you need to acomplish and know how to get it done better than anyone in the world. Also look for old time barber shops. These shops wil certainly be able to help you out. I have heard some things about Malaysian culture that would lead me to belive that there are certain parts of the country who like to use more traditional methods of doing things, this community would be more likely to be able to get you what you need. Once you exaust these two avenues then consider importing it yourself, you will need to speak with some of the import officals to understand how to accomplish the task. Be upfront about what you are buying, why you are buying it and what it will be used for. No doubt government officals will be able to help you understand how to go aobut getting what you need.