Hello from Queensland Australia + needing some advice.

G'day guys (and possibly gals?).

I'm new to the straight razor place and thought I'd introduce myself. So hello all.

So I've been a long time user of cartridge shavers *shudders* (since I was 12, now 21) and the occassional user of electric shavers as well. And each adn every time I've used either form, it has left me with razor burn and/or bumps that can last for ages, to the point where I've just gone screw it and let a beard form. I finally went to a doctor and the old fella told me to leave that crap behind and get my hands on a straight razor. So here I am. Haha.

The advice I'm mainly looking for, is where do I start looking for a decent straight razor? If anyone is a local, ie. S.E Qlder, would they be able to point me in the right direction in procurring one of these fine instruments and what to look out for? I've been looking at the Dovo range online adn they look pretty sweet, but not sure if I want to spend that much for a learner and then eventually drop it or somethign and damage the blade, which is highly likely I have been told. If not I'll cop it sweet and fork out the 125 for their cheapest one I can find.

So thanks everyone.

Hi there! Welcome to SRP. I'd say the best (or at least most inexpensive) way to start would be to check out whippeddog.com

Larry has a lot of daily workhorse shavers that, while they may not be aesthetically perfect, will give great shaves. They're cheap, but still quality learning razors. He's also got everything else you need to get started. His poor man's strop kit includes a strop and some pastes to touch up your edge when it's getting dull.

He's a standup guy, and always willing to help a new shaver out.

Make sure to ask lots of questions and read the wiki. The journey can be rough to start, but it's well worth it!

G'Day bm4506 and welcome to SRP.
It's good to see another Queenslander here.
If you are close enough to me and want to catch up I'll lend you a shave ready razor to see how you go.
Just PM me if you are interested.
Hang on and enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Geoff

Its good to see our Aussie brothers up and running to help a mate!

bm4506, Welcome to SRP! Stick around you will meet more from the land down under, they have a very strong contingent!

Welcome, welcome!! :)


Yes, another SE QLDer here. There are actually quite a few of us. Havachat has made you an excellent offer that I'd take him up on if you can. Otherwise, there are places where you can procure all sorts of good stuff locally - start by taking a look in the Australian and New Zealand forum - there's a thread on where to buy things in there. There is also the Classifieds here.

Good luck.

James.

G'day there bm ,i had same dramas as you except i bought a cheap as razor (enzo) from ebay and i like the way it shaves but i also went and bought a dovo diamant $140 from ebay that hasn't arrived yet so i can't compare with my cheapo ,point is the shop from ebay au also sold dovo 6/8 best quality razors for around $85 au delivered if your after a good cheap razor i've heard there good starters.cheers Steve

Hi guys,

Sorry to take so long to reply, been bogged down with university. 4 weeks in and 3 assignments due within 2 days of one another, gotta just love law.

Thanks for the offerhavachat, but I will decline at this stage. I was talking to my grandmother because I vaguely remember my late grandad using the straight razor, and asked if she still had it laying around somewhere. It appeared she had! So I pinched it and the rest of his kit, and followed some advice on here and took it and got it honed professionally.

His kit including the razor involved a relatively new dovo (about 4years old) an old Baker and Wade which needs restoring, which I will one day do when I grow the balls to try it, I don't want to destroy it seeing as it was grandad's, a somewhat old unknown brand brush, the only markings are badger silver tip and made in something England on the handle made from what appears to be somesort of bakelite or celluloid got some nice patina going on, so it appears to be fairly old. Unfortunately no soaps, EDT's, aftershaves or anything of the sort, sadly she turfed them not long after he passed, as the smell reminded her off him too much.

So the soap I ended up with was Praraso (sp?) green tea and something else. I also bought a strop as the one that grandad had, seemed to have been slightly gnawed at by some little vermin and was a bit old hat, so ended up buying a double sided strop by P.A Baker.

I had my first shave last night, and didn't think I did too bad of a job. No knicks or cuts, single pass with the grain and got about on par as what I used to get with a Gillette 5bladed wizzbang magic cartridge kit which I'd do about 2 or 3 passes with. This is with a coarse beard, approximately an inch long and extremely thick. I also recieved no horrible razor burn or bumps. I used a nivea for men sensitive aftershave lotion/balm. Was quite happy with it.

I tried again tonight, because my facial hair grows at an alarming rate, I had a normal persons 2 day growth by 8am that morning. Tonight, I did manage to knick myself once, and that was when I finally convinced myself the mo had to go, so I cut my lip. Other than that went rather well, I tried 2 passes, one with and one against the grain. I did find that I have some slightly mild irritation, but that is more than likely from user error than anythign to do with the blade.

So I'm going to stick with it. However, I am looking at getting a different soap as this one I'm not so keen on the smell. Can anyone suggest a good soap to use, prefer to be pretty much all natural, as most synthetic stuff irritates the living crap out of my skin. Possibly even a soap and aftershave combo? And a better alternative than the nivea post shave balm?

Shaving oils are they worth it to get the blade to glide a bit smoother? And what sort of light oil should I use on the blade itself to prevent any damage?

Cheers guys.

Regards
Brendon

No worries, Brendon - the offer is always open.
I have plenty of material to make scales etc if you wish to get into the restoring thing, although I'd try a few ebay specials before doing anything with your Grandfathers, or even investigate one of the Australian restorers here.
When you are ready to start honing, I have a few hones too that you are welcome to try.
I wouldn't worry too much about the odd nick - I do it with nearly every new razor I try.
I look at it as a kiss for cleaning them up and getting them back into use.
It sounds like you have a good brush being a silvertip - it should serve you well.
You might want to give it a good clean up with shampoo and conditioner then let it air dry.
I use Mitchells Wool Fat and Col Conk soap and a couple of different creams as well, depending on my mood.
Gaia is a nice cream and is available at Coles for under $10 - it makes a great lather too.
I have never used pre-shave oils as I have found a good lather to be slick enough for me.
As you will soon find, there are many and varied bits and pieces that you can collect and use to expand your experience as you go along.
As a suggestion, get your stropping and shaving technique happening first before you go too hard at anything else.
Be aware that you need much less pressure than you have been used to with a multi-blade when using a cut-throat to prevent irritation.
I use 'Grace Cosmetics' Aloe toner and moisturiser after shaving and find it really good - Australian made too.
I use rice bran oil on my blades, however, any light machine oil will do.
I put it on with a make-up removing pad folded over the spine
As I said earlier, if you need some help I'm only too happy to assist.
Hang on and enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Geoff

Thanks Geoff.

I'll keep that in mind. I'll search out this Grace Cosmetics toner and moisturiser. The Nivea gear, even when cartridge shaving wasn't too crash hot, more like a bit of a tone the irritation down marginally. Rice bran oil, I have some in the cupboard, I'll use that.

I try to use only as much pressure as necessary, but my gigantic mitts sometimes don't realise that I'm being a touch too firm.

Thanks for the great advice!