Thread: 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

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

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

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..

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..

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