Thread: Australia, Straight Razor/Shaving supplies

Hello all,

Although I'm yet to shave with a straight I've been researching and building my supplies in the land of OZ and have found the following.

1. "Autosol" metal polish works very well for polishing a razor and is readily available from automotive stores in Australia (I got mine from "Repco" at about $7.00AUD a tube)

2. I found Neetsfoot oil made by "Diggers" at "Home Hardware" 500mls for about $8.00AUD.

3. Mineral oil I found is marketed under "Light paraffin Oil" within Australia, although my local chemist didn't stock it.

4. I believe "Singer Oil" will suffice for blade oiling, about $3.00AUD at "Home Hardware".

5. Sand paper, "Repco" stocks Norton Abrasives wet/dry sand paper for $1.50AUD a sheet but only go up to 1200grit (well at least at my local rural store).

6. "Lie-Nielsen" sell a "Norton" 4000/8000 combo stone for $104.00Aud + $10.00 next day delivery. Link

7. An Australian eBay store is selling "Col. Conk" shave soap 2.25 ounces (Buy It Now) for $10.90AUD + $3.00AUD postage. Link

8. "Shell-Lap Supplies" has some interesting looking lapidary supplies including diamond and chromium oxide. Link

9. "Bay Island" This place is located in Brisbane and makes some shave soaps. I haven't tried them but they look ok and not too expensive. Link

Well, that's me for the time being. Maybe some fellow Aussies can post their own finds/thoughts and we can make this a good reference point for all Aussies here.

House of Jewellery has anything you could possibly need for restoration with the exception of low micron pastes.

That site only covers abut 1/3rd of their product line

Excellent idea Chopper

Not a lot to add at the moment. Shaver shop stocks Dovos, strops, etc. I think I've tracked down the guy who makes the Black Beauty strops - hope to contact him soon to see if he's interested in making customs...

The Body Shop has a kick-ass shaving cream - pretty expensive ($25 for 200ml tub) but goes a very long way - you don't need much to get an excellent lather. Crabtree and Evelyn are also good.

I think those Lie-Nielsen guys are now stocking the Shaptons too. Bunnings sell Dremels and accessories (cheapest I've found, but didn't look real hard).

James.

Isn't Lie Nielsen an American company --- do they have outlets or something in Oz?


Justin

G'day Justin,

Yes they sure do........but given the price difference between here and there, I can still buy a Norton cheaper over your side of the pond and that includes shipping.

Cheers
John

G'day John --- hate to keep popping up in the "Aussie exclusive" threads but when I saw Lie-Nielsen it got my interest. They sell a lot of good stuff --- and they have some very nice woodworking tools like planes, back and dovetail saws, etc. So too bad on the prices in Oz but still interesting ---

Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

G'day John --- hate to keep popping up in the "Aussie exclusive" threads but when I saw Lie-Nielsen it got my interest. They sell a lot of good stuff --- and they have some very nice woodworking tools like planes, back and dovetail saws, etc. So too bad on the prices in Oz but still interesting ---

Justin

Justin - we took a vote and you're officially an honourary Aussie. So, feel free to pop in on the threads whenever. (Oh, we'll send you details of the initiation ceremony later ... hey guys, where'd we put that saltie? )

Yeah, those Lie-Nielsen guys keep sending me catalogues for woodworking tools (might as well be instruments for navigating ships by the stars for all the use they'd be to a numbnut like me...)

At the moment the Aussie dollar is still pretty strong, I think. So it's a good time to be buying from the rest of the world.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Justin - we took a vote and you're officially an honourary Aussie. So, feel free to pop in on the threads whenever. (Oh, we'll send you details of the initiation ceremony later ... hey guys, where'd we put that saltie? )

Yeah, those Lie-Nielsen guys keep sending me catalogues for woodworking tools (might as well be instruments for navigating ships by the stars for all the use they'd be to a numbnut like me...)

At the moment the Aussie dollar is still pretty strong, I think. So it's a good time to be buying from the rest of the world.

James.

Glad to here on the strength of the Aussie dollar James (and I hope the Aussie economy is doing well aslo) . As far as the honourary Aussie title, well let's just say I'm not worthy but it does my heart proud ---- now I quess I have to run a saltie guantlet while juggling drop bears--- and if I survive I have to drink down 2 gallons of "piss." (beer that is).

I came across this quote and being that I'm ignorant of such things I hope it is a good one:

"There is no better way of life in the world than that of the Australian. I firmly believe this. The grumbling, growling, cursing, profane, laughing, beer drinking, abusive, loyal-to-his-mates Australian is one of the few free men left on this earth. He fears no one, crawls to no one, bludgers on no one, and acknowledges no master. Learn his way. Learn his language. Get yourself accepted as one of him; and you will enter a world that you never dreamed existed. And once you have entered it, you will never leave it." Nino Culotta - They're a weird mob, 1957"

Hooroo (and I shall not hijack this thread anymore)

Justin

Justin,

That sounds pretty spot on to me, that would be a very good description.

It was a very funny movie in it's day, but it would be real dated now, and I doubt whether the film industry could get away with the political correctness of today.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061087/

Cheers
John

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

As far as the honourary Aussie title, well let's just say I'm not worthy but it does my heart proud ---- now I quess I have to run a saltie guantlet while juggling drop bears--- and if I survive I have to drink down 2 gallons of "piss." (beer that is).

I came across this quote and being that I'm ignorant of such things I hope it is a good one:

"There is no better way of life in the world than that of the Australian. I firmly believe this. The grumbling, growling, cursing, profane, laughing, beer drinking, abusive, loyal-to-his-mates Australian is one of the few free men left on this earth. He fears no one, crawls to no one, bludgers on no one, and acknowledges no master. Learn his way. Learn his language. Get yourself accepted as one of him; and you will enter a world that you never dreamed existed. And once you have entered it, you will never leave it." Nino Culotta - They're a weird mob, 1957"

Hooroo (and I shall not hijack this thread anymore)

Justin

BWAHAhahahaha dont be TOO happy... IT'S YOUR SHOUT AT THE BAR!