Thread: Honmeister in Australia

Hi,

I've recently bought my first straight, a Dovo 5/8. I've shaved with it about 5 times and I am making good progress. The only problem is I know its no-where near sharp because it pulls the hell out of my whiskers. I have to keep shaving with it anyway because I love it, even thoguh it really hurts. I'm from Australia and can't seem to find any professional (knife sharpener etc) that can sharpen a straight. I know if I try myself I will destroy the blade. Does anyone have any suggestions?

sorry I cant help,I`m in the same boat and country
Regards Peter

Buy another razor, say from Classic shaving and send it through its sharpening service. Then start honing the one you have. Ask us questions and you'll get it. You probably won't destroy the razor. Look in the archive section for info.

Hey Travis,
Same country, slightly different boat. I looked into this as well and as you said it's pretty slim pickings. The shavershop in Chadstone/Melbourne (and I guess any other location) offer a sharpening service but I think they said it was about $70!! If ya don't mind!!
They suggested I tried 'King of knives'. They also offer a service but I called the guy who does the sharpening and it scared me that I seemed to know more about straight razor sharpening than he did. I think knives were more his thing.
I bought two dubl duck ebay specials, a seconds strop from Tony (www.thewellshavedgentleman.com) (Mmmmm nice), and a norton 4000/8000 waterstone (www.lie-nielsen.com.au) in perth (I think) and am at this moment trying to get these shave ready with my own honing with mixed results. If I can't do this within the next few weeks I might be sending one or both over to the states for Lynn to sharpen which sounds like a pretty good deal $20USD + shipping. If I do work out how to hone my own razors then you can send it to me after I've had the 20 odd years experience as Lynn has

Where abouts in Australia are you?

Cheers,
David.

I don't know about Australia, but when it comes to SRP members in the greater Toronto area, I'm probably the one who knows the least and I am still relatively under-equipped. Once I get the coticule and have some practice with it, I'll see about offering assistance to my fellow-Canadians. Carrying on X's torch on the east side lol.

I advocate the DIY approach for you Ausies. It may take a while, but once it's there, you'll be able to look after each other. A video conference with Randy Tuttle will help you advance even faster. If you can't video, give him a call. Getting a shave ready razor from a Honemeister will set the bar for you. Ask questions in the Honing Forum. We'll do our best to help how we can.

You Can Do It

X

Originally Posted by xman

I advocate the DIY approach for you Ausies. It may take a while, but once it's there, you'll be able to look after each other. A video conference with Randy Tuttle will help you advance even faster. If you can't video, give him a call. Getting a shave ready razor from a Honemeister will set the bar for you. Ask questions in the Honing Forum. We'll do our best to help how we can.

You Can Do It

X

X,

I had no idea that you were actually Tony Little!

RT

Well I'm not a honemeister by any means but I have restored some pretty ordinary stuff and get great shaves with them.

I'm using a 6000 Jap waterstone, 1 and 0.5 micron paddle strop and then a fabulous 3" leather hanging strop from Tony Miller.

If I can do it, you can at least get to the same standard.

I only live across the pond so I would do it for free (you pay postage) if you are really stuck.
I would however recommend getting Lynn Abrams to hone them, he is nothing short of brilliant.

Gary

Originally Posted by xman

I advocate the DIY approach for you Ausies. It may take a while, but once it's there, you'll be able to look after each other. A video conference with Randy Tuttle will help you advance even faster. If you can't video, give him a call. Getting a shave ready razor from a Honemeister will set the bar for you. Ask questions in the Honing Forum. We'll do our best to help how we can.

You Can Do It

X

I'm not trying to belittle anyone here cause there are many degrees in doing something well. I have no doubt that this is a skill that can be honed (pardon the pun. Bet it's not the first time it's been used in this forum) but go back 70-80 years everyone was doing this weren't they? There just wasn't another option. My mum said that one of her first memories of her dad was stropping a razor before a shave and my uncles was getting belted with the strop on the odd occation. It can't be that difficult and it can't be that complicated. Having said that I am yet to get my razors shave ready. One is almost there thanks to all involved so far for the advice, I'd call it 'shave almost ready'. Tried it last night, it was fine on the cheeks and neck but the chin and upper lip were a struggle and I had to revert back to the shavette.
So without having actually achieved a super sharp razor I'd have to agree with x, give it a go.... what's the worst that can happen ?

drsch3, many years ago most men got shaved once or twice a week at the barbers. Those that had there own straights probably got their barber to hone them and just stropped it on a leather belt to keep up the edge.
There is a thread here somewhere about the good 'ol days.

Gary