Thread: New Zealand Honemeister?

Hi everyone

I'm another newbie on the traditional wet shaving front. I'm currently living in South Africa but moving to Cambridge, New Zealand in a few weeks.

About a month ago I was searching the web for tips on shaving for ance prone and sensitive skin and stumbled upon the world of DE razors and the classic straight.

So currently im using a Lion DE razor with some no name brand brush and a shaving soap that cost more that my DE and brush put together.

It was what I could get my hands on asap after being exposed to this brotherhood.

The shaves have been decent and good enough not to want to return to my plastic counterparts. And of course my skin feels amazing.

I need advice on getting a starter set together for straight razor shaving but have no idea what to do, firstly what is available in Cambridge or at least Hamilton and also what is it that I need.

At this stage a double sided strop, good brush and straight is what I feel comfortable with and seems in reach money wise, but what about honing stones, stropping pastes and all that jazz, is it needed for a weekly shave or can i do without it and just send my straight to the closest honing service guy.

Would really love some advice

P.S. I'm currently having a look at cutlerroad. Co.nz starter set for $200. It includes a really nice restored Bengal straight, double sided strop and badger brush.

Hello Gentlemen,
Just had a quick read through your thread. There is a man called David who sprung to my mind. He was based in the UK, and I bought my NOS ERN Ator off him, then all of a sudden he upped and left the UK. He mainly does re-plating work for safety razors, but he dabbles in straights too.
He hones straight razors on lapping films, which may upset some purists, but I do have to say, the edge he put on my ERN Ator was one of the best I have ever shaved with - hot knife and butter and all that.
I notice he is now based in Auckland. Now, I have only ever shaved with one razor honed up by this gentleman, and so cannot give him a "tried and tested" thumbs up, but it might be worth trying next time someone needs a razor honed?
Contact Us

Edit, I've just realised that the majority of this thread dates to 2012....still, someone in NZ might want to try Dave if there remains still a dearth of honemeisters. That may have changed in intervening years however

Drop Graeme a PM I'm sure he can help you out. http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/grazor.html

Hi Guys,

Onotoman (Dave) here. It's been a while since I've been on the forum but I'm now well settled in Auckland, New Zealand and restoring, making and using straights again as the day job permits, anyway.

I do indeed use lapping film as well as Belgian Coticule etc. for honing. I've also recently invested around $2,000 in a belt sander to restore and make blades too. Now all I need is a forge, kiln for hardening and tempering...

Happy to have my hobby back and more than happy to help Kiwis and our cousins across the ditch :-)

Originally Posted by Damo

Hello Gentlemen,
Just had a quick read through your thread. There is a man called David who sprung to my mind. He was based in the UK, and I bought my NOS ERN Ator off him, then all of a sudden he upped and left the UK. He mainly does re-plating work for safety razors, but he dabbles in straights too.
He hones straight razors on lapping films, which may upset some purists, but I do have to say, the edge he put on my ERN Ator was one of the best I have ever shaved with - hot knife and butter and all that.
I notice he is now based in Auckland. Now, I have only ever shaved with one razor honed up by this gentleman, and so cannot give him a "tried and tested" thumbs up, but it might be worth trying next time someone needs a razor honed?
Contact Us

Edit, I've just realised that the majority of this thread dates to 2012....still, someone in NZ might want to try Dave if there remains still a dearth of honemeisters. That may have changed in intervening years however

I took my Maxam straight into King of Knives for sharpening this week - it was returned untouched as the sharpening guy had said it was too difficult, but I couldn't get any further details on why

I may well try contacting Scott Boness and see if he can help.

The Maxam was a gift (and my first straight). Reading the reviews, it's probably not the best razor in the world. I'm half tempted to have a go at honing myself and if I stuff it up source a better replacement razor.

Taking my Cadmen Bengal to Shannon at House of Knives in Mt Eden on Monday. Will let you know out come of service.

I hope you have better luck than I did.

In the end I bought a Bengal off Scott Boness pre Christmas - and what a difference

I'd recommend you contact Scott of HOK can't help

Hi, yeah if you recommend him I'm keen to contact him instead. Where can I get his details?

he's actually a member on here! sboness - you can email him direct from his profile - let me know if you can't find it and I'll try and PM you his details

Got my Bengal back today, seems like a good hone but to tell the truth it hard for me to really know. I guess experience is the only thing that will change that.

Next day service, $16 NZD- I also visited the Leather outlet store around the corner and picked up a new strip of leather 3"x20" for $5 NZD.- will let know how it