Thread: Shaving supplies in Auckland

I've had one razor done at House of Knives, it wasn't bad, but they didn't quite put the edge on it that I had done by someone in the USA who really knew what he was doing. The question do you shave with one is very relevant. I pm'd Scott and got no reply, I know he is still around but maybe isn't honing razors these days.

Yea I gave my house of knives sharpened ones a go on some pastes and they came out quite nice.

Originally Posted by jadekayak

Hi grayman11,

There is also a guy on trademe,gentelmansblades, or something like that who has a sharpening service but I haven't used him yet.

Hi all. I'm very new here and just today ordered my first ever straight razor (and other stuff) from Simon at Gentlemans Blades. He's a Trade Me dealer but is in the process of launching his website. Really impressive service and great source of advice. He hones every blade he sells too and offers an ongoing service.My new gear should be here in the next day or two. Gotta admit, I'm rather excited. Who'd a thunk it!

Welcome mate I'm sure you'll end up loving it just do loads of research and watch some youtube vids and you'll be sweet.

yep and don't rush things, be patient and remember practice makes perfect, at least that's what i tell myself.

But perfect practice is even better if you can get it.


Mick

That's for sure

I really don’t bother with NZ shaving supplies and everything I buy shave related comes from different international internet retail sources.

Even with postage and exchange rates guaranteed it would be way cheaper than buying the same product from a retail source in NZ.

I bought Belgium Corticule Bout and slurry stone to go with it and have done all the honing myself:

http://www.ardennes-coticule.be/shop...-coticule-bout

I always bought a little tub of Chromium oxide and balsa wood to finish off my honing:

http://thesuperiorshave.com/Pastes.html

All my limited honing abilities are from information on this forum and YouTube and I am more than happy with my results.

I have quite a limited but good collection of Cut Throats from various antique shops, but you have to strike it lucky and don’t pay too much as most antique dealers don’t have a clue.

Originally Posted by planetocean

I have quite a limited but good collection of Cut Throats from various antique shops, but you have to strike it lucky and don’t pay too much as most antique dealers don’t have a clue.

Your right there,they tend to charge like a wounded bull for a piece of steel that resembles a razor,especially out of Auckland.
The worst I've seen is in Paeroa.A rusted bar for $120 with the scales broken!!!

Originally Posted by jadekayak

Your right there,they tend to charge like a wounded bull for a piece of steel that resembles a razor,especially out of Auckland.
The worst I've seen is in Paeroa.A rusted bar for $120 with the scales broken!!!

I actually drove down to Paeroa yesterday for an antique razor hunt and unearthed nothing worth buying.

The same shop that I purchased my gotta 120:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ine-120-a.html

from over a year ago has 2 new ones just come in and they want $75.00 for them but they are nowhere near as good as the one I paid $25.00 for.

One is a 6/8 honed to a 5/8 and the other the toe is honed out more than I would personally like.

I would not pay the $75.00 for it that’s for sure; I have never paid any more than $40.00 for a razor.

The $40.00 razor was an exceptional condition 5/8 Kropp with original scales and lead wedge.

The dealer in Paeroa yesterday said “Well you do not plan on using the razor of course!”

I think that was more of a statement from him than a question.

I told him if I buy a razor I buy it to use it, I think he thought I was talking a load of BS.

After Paeroa I drove a bit further down to Te Aroha as there is an antique shop there.

He had 3 old razors not worth the time of day but he did say that a few months back the local barber found an old collection of customer named razors that he bought and sold off.

Well I missed out on those razors (bloody hell) but perhaps someone on this forum snapped them up if they were passing through Te Aroha in the last few months?

Certainly not a good razor buying experience for me but I did pick up a second hand mint CD that I wanted from another secondhand dealer in Te Aroha which made the day trip worthwhile.