Thanks Maladroit and SRP

[kevinred]

Thank you very much Mike for a great afternoon.


I had a great afternoon with Mike and his wife yesterday at their home on the Sunshine Coast. Mike was kind enough to invite me to see his razors and his rocks and to watch him hone. Wow the time went by so fast, when I got in my car I couldn't believe what time it was! I learned so much. Thanks Mike for putting up with me and all my questions.

I also took a Bengal razor my friend had bought from ebay (He's currently learning with my first shavette) and Mike very kindly sharpened it for him and also taught me what to look for and avoid in a vintage razor.

After spending time with Mike and recently Jimbo I am sure I am going to get my self some hones and learn the art, I think it's important to keep this art form alive for future generations.

Thanks also to SRP and it's owners as without this fantastic forum all this would not have been possible.

[Maladroit]

Thanks Kevin,

we had great time - makes me wish we could have a larger get-together with the other SE Qld enthusiasts in the not too distant future. I guess Brisbane is the most convenient and central location.

BTW, I had further thoughts on what might make a good set of starter hones: while the venerable Norton combination stones (220/1k and 4k/8k) rightly deserve their place in the honing pantheon, a good alternative choice might be the Naniwa superstones. They're available from many different online stores including Straight Razor Designs. I have noticed that some of the chef's supply shops mark them up quite a bit - especially in this country - so its worth cross checking on prices. Some people buy a full set, only to discover honing isn't for them so ebay might be worth checking out (with the usual caveats of course)

There is a lot of debate about how many hones you need and what grits you should have. The beginner really only requires a high grit finisher to do the occasional refresher and a traditional barber hone answers this need for many. However, as one's enthusiasm builds and the razor collecting bug bites, the need for a bevel setter and intermediate hone arises, hence the popularity of the King and Norton combos and of the Naniwa single grit waterstones. It would be a good idea to check out this page before proceeding:
What hone(s), paste(s), or spray(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

regards

Mike

[kevinred]

Thanks Kevin,

we had great time - makes me wish we could have a larger get-together with the other SE Qld enthusiasts in the not too distant future. I guess Brisbane is the most convenient and central location.

BTW, I had further thoughts on what might make a good set of starter hones: while the venerable Norton combination stones (220/1k and 4k/8k) rightly deserve their place in the honing pantheon, a good alternative choice might be the Naniwa superstones. They're available from many different online stores including Straight Razor Designs. I have noticed that some of the chef's supply shops mark them up quite a bit - especially in this country - so its worth cross checking on prices. Some people buy a full set, only to discover honing isn't for them so ebay might be worth checking out (with the usual caveats of course)

There is a lot of debate about how many hones you need and what grits you should have. The beginner really only requires a high grit finisher to do the occasional refresher and a traditional barber hone answers this need for many. However, as one's enthusiasm builds and the razor collecting bug bites, the need for a bevel setter and intermediate hone arises, hence the popularity of the King and Norton combos and of the Naniwa single grit waterstones. It would be a good idea to check out this page before proceeding:
What hone(s), paste(s), or spray(s) do I need? - Straight Razor Place Wiki

regards

Mike

Wow Mike you're sure spoiling me with all this great advice, I really do appreciate it. I will check things out.

A local meet up would be a great Idea. I guess Brisbane is the obvious choice. Who usually arranges this kind of thing?

[edhewitt]

EBay seller 330_mate sells the superstones in grits up to 10k, in both 10 and 20mm, the 10mm ones are not too pricey. He also sells a niumber of other Hones such as choseras and kings

[Maladroit]

Regarding a possible Brisbane meet up, I want to check out the availability of a possible venue. I'll let the Down Under group know if I think it will work out.

[MickR]

I might have to put on a barby at my place perhaps.


Mick

[Maladroit]

Edit: See new thread
http://straightrazorpalace.com/down-...d-meet-up.html

Mick has mentioned the possibility of a barbie get-together at his place in his post above. This would be great but would mean a fair bit of effort on his part, not to say at least some expense and inconvenience to his family, possibly even hiring a marquee and tables etc.

I'd like to suggest an alternative that while it doesn't include a barbie does have advantage of minimal set-up and central location. Some of the City Council libraries have meeting rooms available for out of hours hire; the one I'm most familiar with and is, I think, the most suitable, is at 135 Sydney Street New Farm. The NFM library meeting room is a good facility in that there are no carpets to worry about spilling water on, there's an A/C if it's hot, there's running water and tea/coffee making facilities, fold-up tables that we can arrange however we like, and parking spots are available.

I've enquired about the availability of the room and have been told there are 2 Sunday afternoon slots available for February (2nd and 9th) and 3 for March (2nd, 9th and 16th).

I'd like to hear the general views of the SE Qld enthusiasts regarding both the venue and the possible dates.

Over to you guys.........

[MickR]

What sort of costs do you know, Mike?


Mick

[Maladroit]

The rooms are free for non-profit "community" groups like us who aren't charging for entry

[MickR]

Sounds good to me. Whichever date attracts the majority vote will do me.


Mick