Hello from Cairns!

Hey guys! Been lurking here for a while, now feel like I'm ready to dive into the world of Straight Razors!

I'm 22 years old, and have had a lot of skin problems in the past, which is what led me to seek out an alternative to cartridge razors.

I've been scouring the 'bay looking for a decent first razor, they're so over-priced in Australia! Haven't been able to find anything locally, been to all the secondhand/antique stores in the area, so now I've decided to go ahead and order one from Larry over at whippeddog.com :)
From what I've read here he's a stand-up guy and his razors are all good enough quality, especially for a poor university student! Only problem now is that I'm too excited to wait before getting started and want to throw away my gillette fusion as soon as possible!

So is anybody here from this part of the world? Any North Queenslanders?

Also, what would you guys recommend, is it worthwhile starting with a DE razor (especially while I'm waiting for my straight to arrive)? Would it make the learning curve a bit less bloody? I also travel a lot, so I figure in any case it won't be a complete waste of money since I can't bring the straight on a plane :p

hi sheff, be sure to check out a lot of the pre/post shave threads to see whats best for your skin problems.

a de would be excellent for travelling but not really needed to learn to before a straight

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Originally Posted by sheff

Hey guys! Been lurking here for a while, now feel like I'm ready to dive into the world of Straight Razors!

I'm 22 years old, and have had a lot of skin problems in the past, which is what led me to seek out an alternative to cartridge razors.

I've been scouring the 'bay looking for a decent first razor, they're so over-priced in Australia! Haven't been able to find anything locally, been to all the secondhand/antique stores in the area, so now I've decided to go ahead and order one from Larry over at whippeddog.com :)
From what I've read here he's a stand-up guy and his razors are all good enough quality, especially for a poor university student! Only problem now is that I'm too excited to wait before getting started and want to throw away my gillette fusion as soon as possible!

So is anybody here from this part of the world? Any North Queenslanders?

Also, what would you guys recommend, is it worthwhile starting with a DE razor (especially while I'm waiting for my straight to arrive)? Would it make the learning curve a bit less bloody? I also travel a lot, so I figure in any case it won't be a complete waste of money since I can't bring the straight on a plane :p

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Welcome, not sure about the D/E I have never used one, but I am fairly sure Mick will help out with some advice fairly soon. You can pack a straight in the hold, if you take a D/E I am fairly sure you would not be able to carry the blades on, so would have to source them on arrival.
I doubt it will take long for your razor to arrive, and I personally wouldn't want to learn 2 different styles of shaving at the same time.
Again welcome and feel free to ask questions.
Regards Ed.

Thanks for the words of advice guys.

@bombay you know I've been so bogged down in figuring out the technicalities, that that thought actually hadn't occurred to me. Thanks!

Ed, so I was thinking that using a DE would make picking up a straight easier, seemed like a natural transition to me. Maybe I'll just wait for the one from WD to arrive..

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Originally Posted by sheff

Ed, so I was thinking that using a DE would make picking up a straight easier, seemed like a natural transition to me. Maybe I'll just wait for the one from WD to arrive..

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That's exactly what I would do especially as you are a poor student. As I said I havent used a D/E but the technique is a bit different. Prep and stretching would be the same I think.
You have a razor, but do you have all the other necessaries, such as soap or cream, a brush and a strop. As a minimum this is what you will need. Then there are the things which are useful such as alum, witch hazel, some sort of pre and post shave.
Then you have the luxuries Such as scuttles, bowls, aftershaves, colognes.
You are using a cartridge at the mo, so you can get a brush and soap, Palmolive is fine and cheap the sticks are$2 they also make cream in tubes for a few dollars, fauldings "shave" is adequate and about $4. the pharmacy will also sell brushes, they will be ordinary but will work. Start practicing lather making now it will be one less thing to deal with when your razor arrives.

while it could take just as long a time to figure out how to get good shaves with a de as it does with a straight. maybe a twin blade disposable would be better for travelling

G'day and welcome. Although I didn't really have skin problems I found that shaving with a straight was a lot kinder to my skin than a DE.

Hi and welcome. As Ed has said its not just the razor you need. If you look in the library section you will find all the beginners info about what you need and how to start. Good luck.

G'day Sheff,
From Gladstone Central Qld
You won't go wrong with the wealth of info here
Cheers
D

So an update,
I've taken everybody's advice and decided against the DE for now.
johnmrson has been kind enough to set me up with a razor, and now I'm in the process of sourcing a strop, brush, some soap, etc.
Thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice.
sheff

Well, I found this thread a bit late to be of any use to you mate. All the good advice has already been given away...And for bloody free by the look of it! :) I would say keep the DE idea on the back burner at the least. They are a handy thing to have around, though I much prefer my cut-throats...But that's just a personal thing. As far as skin problems go, you might find the best thing you do for yourself, regardless of the scraping tool used, is getting yourself a shaving brush and some proper shaving soap or cream. Ed as already mentioned some decent cheap ones in Fauldings and Parmolive, there are better out there, but they are good to kick off with for a budget conscious beginner.

As my mate Havachat would say, Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Well, I found this thread a bit late to be of any use to you mate. All the good advice has already been given away...And for bloody free by the look of it! :) I would say keep the DE idea on the back burner at the least. They are a handy thing to have around, though I much prefer my cut-throats...But that's just a personal thing. As far as skin problems go, you might find the best thing you do for yourself, regardless of the scraping tool used, is getting yourself a shaving brush and some proper shaving soap or cream. Ed as already mentioned some decent cheap ones in Fauldings and Parmolive, there are better out there, but they are good to kick off with for a budget conscious beginner.

As my mate Havachat would say, Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.


Mick

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yeah late alright mate, i Said you would be here soon 2 days ago. Then again this is australia, everything takes longer here. :)

Island time Ed...Get used to it now mate :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Island time Ed...Get used to it now mate :)


Mick

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Well that, and I forgot about QLD factor :)

That's extra mate..


Mick

As a Yank I was going to chime in after I read to the end of the responses.But other Aussies and one Brit beat me to it. I converse with bombay, MickR and edhewitt. All good people with practical info. But I, also, will stress, look into to the SRP wikis. A wealth of info. I often go back several times and find something I missed the first time.

Welcome, and enjoy the ride,

Razorfeld

I'm a bit late to the party as well and Mick stole my line...hehehehe.
Welcome aboard, Sheff and I'm sure Sunbird (Townsville) will chime in soon too.
AFAIK cut throats can be put in checked in luggage but not carry-on.
Looking forward to sharing your journey with you

Thanks for the very warm welcome guys! Island time, love it! Everything has now been ordered. Razor, strop, brush and soap. Now just waiting impatiently for it all to arrive!
I'll make sure to post about my progress. In the meanwhile I'm scouring the wikis for every bit of information I can. I think this is the beginning of an addiction.
Thanks again, Sheff