Thread: Possible Brisbane and SE Qld meet up

Great book Mick.
Honestly not trying to trump you, but I havethat and a few others added to my library when I was looking into folder making. Closest I got was making a workng model out of MDF. Get there when other priorities allow time. I did make a folder from a kit once. Folders can be fun, but time cosuming to make and I love fixed blades.
Anyhow, I have Switchblade, The Ace of Blades. (A curiousity thing. Would not make anything illegal)it shows how side and front opening switchblades work as well as the Spetsnaz ballistic knife and string pull switchblades.
Useful ones I have are Blade's Guide to Making Knives and How to Design and Make Your Own Folders by Jerry Van Eizenga. That one is gold. Shows how to make Scagel style folders. Plans for single blades in 3 and 4 inch, multiblade, and the fixed blade with a folder in the handle. As well as detailed instruction it has plans with all parts you photocopy, cut out and stick to the stock materials you want to cut them from.
Be good for me to be able to contribute.
Adam

I have 'the Ace of Blades' book as well. I have others but not those last two you've mentioned. The information would help Stu no doubt, and that's all that matters.


Mick

FYI guys, first batch of samples for you all have arrived from TriShave, a shave cream and a post shave balm/moisturiser for each person in a small travel friendly clear plastic bag. Will bring to the meetup, plus they also gave full size tubes which I will also bring so you can all try on the day if desired, without having to use the samples. Ive also got a selection of coffees and teas for all ready to go.

Ive bought T&H soap, unscented cream and lime cream, if anyone hasnt tried and would like to, let me know and I can bring that as well. Ive also got eshave lime preshave oil and perfect potion lime and vetiver after shave spray I could bring if anyone wants to smell or try. Dont have anything in the way of honing products to share sorry.

Razor wise I will bring the robert williams 7/8 which is leaving Canada today or tomorrow as well as the sight unseen razor from larry and the Platypus I bought from ebay. The razor from larry was shave ready and have had a number of shaves with it, but the one on ebay wasnt shave ready (far from it) so will bring it for honing advice (never honed before).

Hopefully if they arrive in time (should do) will also have samples of Aesop and Perfect Potion shave products for us all.

Hope all is well with everyone,
Andrew

Holy snappin' ducks Andrew. Sounds like you have been busy.
Thanks for organizing all the samples etc. I wouldn't worry about honing products, Geoff had a small arsenal of hones and sound like Adam and others are bringing a few. I will bring my meager collection of jones along as well. Should be plenty of rocks and advice on how to use them.

See you at the meet.

Stu

Hi Andrew,

Thank you very much for taking the time to do all of this, it is very much appreciated.

How are the shaves coming along, are you enjoying them

Hi Kev,

Im loving the straight shaving actually... initially I wanted to try it out more as a hobby and a new skill to master, but I am finding the process almost meditative... perhaps thats just being new and concentrating so much, but its nice for the old brain to not to have work or other worries on the mind, even if its only for 10 minutes. Ive had a couple of very minor nicks, but only on the awkward chin area, and once on the neck when I hiccuped whilst shaving.

Getting pretty decent shaves but certainly not BBS, but at this point Im not going against the grain, just with the grain and a little across the grain on the cheeks and part of the neck. Just taking my time with the process of learning.

Need to look into getting a scuttle or something though, to keep the lather and brush warm, and perhaps some glycerine to add to the soap / cream to help it stay wet and lubricating. Have decided to give DE a go as well, as when I travel I usually do so with carryon luggage only, and the damn airlines wont let me on with a straight for some reason lol. I don't see myself collecting straights, but the more I look into straights and read this site, the more I see razors Id love to have... but will go easy, Ive already bought all that I ned apart from hones and a good strop. At some point I would like to add a nice vintage like a W&B barber use or anchor, but will just sit back and take my time until I see a good one come up at a fair price. Rather than collect for the sake of it, ideally Id like 4-6 nice razors that I love shaving with, so will acquire the odd one here and there and sell the ones I like less. Aesthetically I like large blades, especially with the smile, but also want ones I like to use.

Will be great to see everyone else's gear and see what they like / use, and cant wait to watch some honing.

Hope all is well, with you Kev but also for everyone else here of course

Glad your doing well with the shaving Andrew. I find shaving almost mediative too, I especially like to shave with lavender soap or something before bed, almost horizontal before applying the last rinse.

I wouldn't worry about adding stuff to your lathers yet, just use them as they are and you'll soon learn what is a great lather and a poor one. Just keep experimenting.

I have been nicking my upper lip as shaving it is a new experience for me. What a silly place to put a nose eh? But Im getting better at it. I will soon have a BBS. I also learned a new way to shave the trouble spots on my neck. I have been using scything strokes which do work,but I figured out a new stretch which is quicker and easier, it coming along too.

I have several scuttles but I don't use them any more, they are all antique so they do look nice though. I found face lathering to be the way to go, I found sorting the consistency of the lather easier on my face. Also adding heat to the lather just dried it out quicker and the heat irritated my skin. We all find the way to go by experimenting, so don't let me put you off, fill your boots and get that scuttle. I may revisit the scuttle later but happy with a mug to soak my brush in at the moment. Im a simple lad really.

I'm also looking forward to seeing what everyone else brings.

I just got given 4 vintage razors, two snuff boxes, an old strop and a 22 bullet which appears live… Its amazing what people will give you once they know you shave with a straight. Had a great long chat with the guy to, he was really interesting to talk to.

A DE is a great bit of kit for travelling, I prefer the Parker shavette. Takes half a blade and is very similar in use to a straight but you do need to allow time as with a straight. The DE is quicker and easier for sure, but don't be fooled it will bite.

I'm glad you're still enjoying it. Keep it simple for now and it will repay dividends later. These early days are the time you learn the most.

Enjoy

Andrew, you can just put a small bowl into a bigger bowl of hot water instead of buying a scuttle. And if you carry on a D/E you will have to buy blades locally, or buy the world's smallest hold bag for your blades.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Andrew, you can just put a small bowl into a bigger bowl of hot water instead of buying a scuttle. And if you carry on a D/E you will have to buy blades locally, or buy the world's smallest hold bag for your blades.

My local shops don't stock razor blades except woolworth and they are $10 for 5. I wonder how easy it is to source razor blades abroad. I know in the UK its pretty easy...

You can always address a pack to yourself and forward it on to where ever you have booked yourself into ahead of time.


Mick