Thread: hi all

Hi all my name is adam and am looking at getting my first razor. What would you recommened for a first razor i know every one says 5/8 but what brand and what other bits and bobs would you get. I have been in contact with mensbiz they dont hone there blades to have them shave ready. So where in sydney do you get your razor honed. Thx all i will be greatfull for the help

For honing in Sydney, you have none better than the best in Onimaru55. For razors in Australia, Dovo is one of the easiest to get a hole of, but Giesen and Forstoff (spl?), from my own experience with my one and only, is a good razor, and can be had relatively cheaply. Maybe a smidgeon cheaper than Dovo, but don't quote me on it .
5/8 is a good starting point, but 6/8 is also in the same bracket as a starter. I prefer 6/8, but you might like smaller. You won't know until you try them out unfortunately. later you can always sell an unwanted razor on the forum or the 'bay though, I suppose. Mensbiz do claim that they can "...give you details of someone to hone them for you..." . No idea who it is they're referring to though.
Bits and bobs? Well a strop would be good, shave brush, soap or cream to shave with and you should be good to go I reckon!

Anyway, best of luck and don't be afraid to ask questions.


Mick

Thx for that mick
how would i go about getting in contact with onimaru55.
Thats okay i will start with a 5/8 and then go from there.
they said they are honed in the factory but i take it they would not be shave ready a dovo. Mensbiz does not touch them as it voids the warranty i was told also.
also for a strop i have read i should get a cheaper one for now due to i will nick it while learning. What would be a good place to get one as i can only see ones that are over $80
thx for the help also

Oz (Onimaru55) is the Moderator for the Down Under Forum. Just click on his name and look for Private message in the pop up menu that appears. Send him a PM.

Dovo doesn't come shave ready from the factory...Very few razors do no matter who the maker is.

If you have some basic hand skills you can make a simple one for yourself or you can substitute a smooth belt, newspaper folded up and laid out on a flat surface, or fork out the $80. I've got no more strops left from my own making to help you out either. if you can't find anything on the Australian sites like Himage/Mensbiz etc. Try looking at SRD (Straight Razor Designs) They sell a good range of strops, and do a basic double Dee ended strop for about US$45 and what ever shipping will add, but it still might be cheaper for you.


Mick

Thx for that. Okay so once i get it then i will get it sharpened by a professional until i learn.
I have seen some strops on ebay for about $45 like cyril what do you think of them to start with i know most things on ebay are crap but i thought i would ask.

Hey Guys, have just signed up and have been shaving with straights since June 13 (so not long). You will nick your first strop until you get used to the action, get cheap and nasty, I have seen some roo tail ones on the bay I am thinking about getting. For the chromium and iron oxide I got some thick balsa down at Bunnings for $14 and they cut that into thirds for me. Because I do not want to round the edge on the blade stropping I use one section for chromium one for iron and one to put the strop on a flat surface and go for it. Seems to be doing the trick, finally someone in Syd who can hone, would also be interested in cracking a PM off to Onimaru55 in the near future.

So i bought my first razor today i bought a 5/8 dovo in stainless, badger brush, soap and also stypic gel.
i will purchase a strop of flea bay while im learning.
also for a bowl can i just use what ever bowl from the kitchen?
Thx all i hope this makes shaving enjoyable for me.

Okay i was looking at a jico strop to start with what do you think everyone

Adam you won't even need a bowl if you don't want one. I just wet the Brush, swirl it around the soap or cream (Cream is in the palm of my hand in this case) and apply the brush to my wet face and swirl to make the lather. If you want to use a bowl, anything not too big will do, a breakfast type bowl or a coffee mug would do fine.
The Dovo you mentioned is a good choice for ease of maintenance, but do remember it is Stainless Steel and not Rust proofed. SS will still rust if you don't take care, it just doesn't need to be cared for as much as Carbon steel.


I wouldn't use the tail part of the roo for a strop as a general rule. The better leather is from the body of the animal.


Mick

Originally Posted by adaml

Okay i was looking at a jico strop to start with what do you think everyone

It isn't a reputable Brand. I would avoid it.


Mick