Goodbye to Packet Razors

[austy]

Hello!

My name's Aaron and I'm from Australia.

For years I've put up with packet razors - dragging across skin, tearing at the hairs, etc. A friend mentioned that a good shaving brush goes a long way - so I started to look into it, and now I'm hooked on the idea of a cut throat shave. I've put together a list of things I intend to buy - and am chasing the opinions of members here

1x Dovo Straight Razoz - Prima Klang, Extra Full Hollow Ground Round Point "Singing" Razor with Violet Wood Handle
1x Muhle Stylo Brush
1x Dovo XL Linen/Russian Leather Strop
1x Vulfix Sandalwood Shaving Cream
1x Dovo Green Paste
1x Dovo Red Paste
1x Dovo Yellow Paste
1x Jar Chromium Oxide
1x Silicone Treated Razor Sleeve

I'm a big believer in 'buy good, buy once'. At first I was thinking just how expensive this is becoming - but when compared to the $30/month I spend on new Mach3 blades, it will pay for itself in due time.

Many Thanks,

Aaron.

[str8fencer]

Hello Aaron, and welcome to SRP!
Your list looks good, but I have a couple recommendations. First, I see you intend to use pastes, Nothing wrong with that, but remember that you will need something to apply those pastes to. It is not recommended to paste your daily strop. You can not use different pastes on a strop either, it is impractical if not impossible. In idea here could be to use balsa wood for pastes, many find those work fine and are not costly.
Second, for storage. A silicone treated sleeve might not be the best option. Rust is your main enemy, and unless you are absolutely sure you have zero moisture on your razor storing them in a watertight environment - well, suffice to say it might go wrong. I just store mine in a non humid cupboard.
Check out the wiki, where you will find lots of info for your enjoyment of straight shaving. Do let us hear how you fare, and happy shaving.

[DLB]

A great list. You will love the Dovo Prima Klang razor. I just got one last week and it is a superb razor; smooth and close shaving.

Be sure to read all the stickies and Wiki information on straight razor shaving. It will really help to get you on the right track.

I wish you well on your shaving journey.

[austy]

Many thanks for the fast replies

So - I need to buy a flat piece of balsa as well, and reconsider as to the storage. Here's a quote from the website regarding the sleeve (I won't list the exact website as I'm not sure as to this forum's policies).

Made by hand in the USA for the firearms industry, the sleeve's based on USA cotton treated with oil and silicone. It wicks away moisture like crazy! There's no need to oil any carbon steel razor if always keep it in here; I've used it for a high carbon oldie that I never oil, and I live in a near-constant 70%+ relative humidity environment. Not a drop of rust anywhere in 2+ years. That's very impressive. In fact, the makers say to not oil that which is placed within, as this can seal moisture under a film of oil.

However - I'm more than happy to hear further advice on this. Perhaps just a pocket of terry towling, and a rubber band - to keep it safe?

On another (related) subject - can anyone recommend where to buy this from? The razor itself ranges from $170USD to $250USD for the exact same product. I can't find a supplier of that particular razor (in that timber) in Australia (and it seems that top dollar is paid for any razor bought directly from Australia).

I can find it for $110GBP, however the exchange rate to the Aussie dollar is quite poor when converting to pounds. At the moment, the Aussie dollar is buying around $1.09USD, so it seems the US is a good choice.

If it's against forum policy to list websites selling products, perhaps PM me?

Many Thanks Again (what a helpful forum!)


Cheers,

Aaron.

[Str8Raz0r]

G'day and welcome to SRP Aaron. Good to see another Aussie on board. Looks like you have a nice setup on the way, good luck with the straight shaving.

Let us know how the first shave goes.

[MickR]

Yep sounds like you've dived in head first there alright. Welcome Aaron. Be sure to check out the posts in the Down Under section of the Forum. They are more relevant to all us Aussies here. Grant has already posted a link in your other thread to sources of supply within Australia. Yeah I know America needs our money right now, but we shouldn't have to get our stuff from them, when we should be able to get it right here in our own backyard. No offence meant to our Yank brothers of course, but you understand the sentiment behind what I'm saying.

[austy]

Mick -

I agree with you there. It's very hard for small businesses to start up in Australia. Particularly now with paid maternity leave etc etc!

That was one of the reasons I bought within our fine country (apart from being a little paranoid about international post. I've had a couple of nightmare experiences with USPS).

Cheers,

Aaron.

[jfleming9232]

Welcome aboard. You'll find all the info you need in the wiki and the forums. If you need a question answered just ask. You'll find the whole bunch here very helpful.
And....happy shaving!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[DLB]

Be sure to post a follow-up with the results of your first shave. We love reading about people's reactions to their first straight razor shave.

Happy Shaving!

[austy]

Be sure to post a follow-up with the results of your first shave. We love reading about people's reactions to their first straight razor shave.

Happy Shaving!

I have shaved twice (full shave, with the grain) with the unhoned Dovo. It was quite enjoyable - no cuts, a little rough, but not as bad as a cartridge razor.

However, today, I received a Lakeside Cutlery Co razor in the mail - purchased from and freshly honed by Onimaru55. I thought the unhoned Dovo shave from the past two days was good. Now it's like I've bought a Rolls Royce It's mighty sharp, that's for sure!

I was a tad nervous for the first shave - I thought it would be much harder than it was though. I guess some people have a more difficult time due to their physical features. The hardest part during my first shave was my sideburns. I was holding the razor in a way that was obscuring my vision. After just a couple of shaves, it's becoming more natural though.

You know you're borderline obsessive when you walk through the door after a long day at work - and rather than reaching for a beer - you reach for a razor and have a shave lol!

Cheers,

Aaron.