Newbie Checking in

Hey guys, a newbie from Australia here, I'm a uni sudent and I'm always rushing myself, so I figured that straight edge shaving would be a good way to slow down my morning ritual (or start one in my case lol), my cousin showed me a SR a few years ago and I thought nothing of it, but now I'm back here and I can't even remember what it was that got me compelled to start looking at razors not even a few hours ago haha.

so far I've always had the shoddiest technique and I've only ever used aerosol can cream and cartriges to shave, and even then only the cheapest of the cheap at that. Nasty things those are.

I have a question, when starting should I get a decent $80 strop like a dovo or a $20 cheapo one in case I damage it? also where might I be able to find soap or cream used for SR shaving? and which ones would you recommend? (I have tried normal soap before but it's the worst thing for my skin when I'm shaving) also keep in mind I live in australia so no walmart stuff (what you have in walmart can be suprisingly hard to find in this country)

I've also made a little list of what I'll need, please elt me know if there is anything else I need to add

1: Razor
2: strop
3: styptic pen
4: brush
5: soap

Edit: I have been wondering, steel alloys are quite cheap, even more exotic ones, but how can a razor which is a relitavely small piece of sharpened steel alloy cost $100+ sometimes it beast me, is it because the demand is so low?

Welcome Stickeelion of Australia from the States. Keep an eye on your thread here. There are a lot of Aussies that are going to jump in here when they find your post. I will alert one of them that I know quite well. He and a lot of the other experienced str8 users will have a lot opinion and advise for you. AND don't be afraid to ask, ask, ask. They sure like to answer. Enjoy the ride we all keep bying more tickets for.

Let me answer your edit. A razor that is going to give you a good shave is made from high quality metal. There are a lot of cheap razors made in parts of the world that look appealing but are ANYTHING but. They are poorly made, low quality steel, don't hold an edge very long and in simple words, are crap. SRP has suggestions as to first razor as will all the Aussies that are going to chime in. $!00 is an average price for a beginners razor and will give years of service when properly maintained. A lot of work goes into forging and forming a razor that performs as it should. Do not even consider any razor made in Pakistan or China (a few there but hard to find). If in doubt about the origin of the steel ask the seller. Older razors made in England, France, America, Sweden and Germany prewar W II. Unknown German brands post WW II sometimes use Pakistani made blades that can then be labelled German. Sold German blades stamped Soligen are also among the best. Again ask advise from your countrymen, they know where to get what you need at a reasonable price or how to make it yourself.

Edit: Sold German should be Old german

Welcome, Palmolive SOAP and CREAM are both perfectly good, at a cheap price, as is fauldings shave cream. These are available pretty much everywhere.
As to the razor, razorfeld summed it up, you can get functional but not terribly pretty vintage razors for $50 or there abouts shave ready if you look around. The classifieds here usually have one or two, I wouldnt go the eBay route yet.
You may also want some witchhazel and or alum, and some sort of post shave balm and or aftershave.
All the best,
Ed

Hi and welcome. If you let us know what part of oz your in a local might be able to help. Would get a reasonable but not expensive strop to start as you will nick up your first one a bit. If you look in the down under forum there is a thread on Australia shaving supplies. Mensbiz and Himage on the net are probably a spot to start to see what's available.

thanks guys, I've looked around at vintage razors but I have not yet come across one that doesn't need restoring of some sort, and getting it restored would make it more expensive than a brand new one. I've looked around and I've been eyeing of these ones:


dovo 5/8 best quality
Dovo Carbon Steel Half Hollow Best Quality Razor, 5/8

timor solingen 6/8 (or any similar timor solingen one)
Timor "Timor Solingen" 6/8" Smoke Black Acrylic Handle | Shaving Style - Online Store

Giesen & Forsthoff 5/8
Giesen & Forsthoff Straight Razor - 5/8" with Rose Wood Handle

the dovos are harder to get in australia however there is a local online store that stocks plenty of razors by the last 2 manufacturers

I have heard the newer timors are a pain to hone

what would you guys recommend? adn are there any others you would recommend?

thank you for you recommendation edhewitt

I'm still rather amazed they cost that much, even if the steel is extrememly good quality that much of it is denity not $100 even if you add in grinding, forgind and tempering, are they all hand made or something?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stickeelion

I'm still rather amazed they cost that much, even if the steel is extrememly good quality that much of it is denity not $100 even if you add in grinding, forgind and tempering, are they all hand made or something?

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Welcome to the 'Place'.

I'm more amazed that Apple charges me $100 /hour for working on a computer. Making a razor takes at least equal skill maybe more & yes a lot of hand work is involved. :)

You might consider something 2nd hand as an alternative if price is a consideration. ?

The G&F's can be made to shave nicely but some take a lot of work.

What do you consider needing restoration to be? There are a lot of razors in the classifieds for $100 or well under. But I understand if you want something unblemished.
Attachment 142397
This is one of my razors, it could be argued that it is in need of restoration, but it is still a fine shaver, and those cracks have been stable for about 5 years according to the vendor, it came shave ready, and cost about $50.00
All the best
Ed

Quote:

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

What do you consider needing restoration to be? There are a lot of razors in the classifieds for $100 or well under. But I understand if you want something unblemished.
-snip-
This is one of my razors, it could be argued that it is in need of restoration, but it is still a fine shaver, and those cracks have been stable for about 5 years according to the vendor, it came shave ready, and cost about $50.00
All the best
Ed

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well this is a vintage one that I'm looking at on ebay 22hours left on bidding and it's only $26 so far however I've been told restoration will be about $130
Attachment 142398

I have a feeling the price (here in australia) is going to end up at least $140+ for just a razor then you have a strop and all the other stuff to go with it

The edge on that Blue Wonder looks more trouble than it's worth.
Seems a razor like Ed's @ $50 is good value. If you want a new razor or one that looks new you will have to pay more. Bear in mind if you do your part & look after the razor, even a $300 dollar razor is cheap for a lifetime of good shaves. These are not throw away items like most things made today.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stickeelion

well this is a vintage one that I'm looking at on ebay 22hours left on bidding and it's only $26 so far however I've been told restoration will be about $130
Attachment 142398

I have a feeling the price (here in australia) is going to end up at least $140+ for just a razor then you have a strop and all the other stuff to go with it

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Ignore the price now, wait until the last 10mins of the auction, it will Change dramatically at the end. Have you looked at the classifieds in this site? I know I have mentioned them a few times, and I don't want to sound like I am trying to push you, but the razors there are sold by shavers, who have a reputation to keep.
Bear in mind that unless the razor you buy new is sold shave ready, and by that I don't mean factory sharpened, but actually hand honed you will be up for another $25+ to pay for postage and honing once you receive the razor.

Ebay buys are chancy even if you know what to look for. Chances of getting a cheap, good condition razor are slim and the last 30 sec of bidding usually see the price go up by a third to a half. You will then need to get it honed as well. You can get a decent honed razor in the classified for 50 or a new one for 100. After that price increases for cosmetic value as the shave won't dramatically increase.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stickeelion

well this is a vintage one that I'm looking at on ebay 22hours left on bidding and it's only $26 so far however I've been told restoration will be about $130
Attachment 142398

I have a feeling the price (here in australia) is going to end up at least $140+ for just a razor then you have a strop and all the other stuff to go with it

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There are razors on the classifieds here right now that will cost you less than that and will come shave ready. Manah has about three up right now, and they get snapped up pretty quick. Geneva and Spike are both good razors. I would grab one, pick up a poor mans strop, and you are good to go for under a hundred. The blue wonder looks well worn to me.

Ebay as stated is a hit or miss deal many "pretty" and/or "big name razors (puma, DD,wb and the like) sell more for bragging rights and the prices go up noticeably the last few minutes. a nice clean blade by a lesser hyped maker often goes for near the opening bid. properly honed and stropped there is no difference in the shave.

of the 3 razors you listed go with the Dovo.... the other 2 are very nice if they are vintage models but the current production ones often are not quite good.

enjoy,
jim

Hmmm, I am noticing a theme here....

I will buck the trend and say that Dovo and Timor use the same blades in some models, and that Timor make those blades, so based on that Timor razors should be on a par. However my experience here is limited. I just have it from a source that I would think should know their stuff, being in the cutlery business, that this is fact. I just recently gifted my excellent Timor to my best mate for his birthday. I know I will regret having done this later down the track, but it was already loaned out to him and I had not seen it for a few months, so I shouldn't miss it terribly...I Hope. Having spoken in glowing terms of Timor now, they had better live up to your expectations if you get one and here is another Australian site you can purchase from. I don't know that they come Shave ready from this place, and I would think, like many other places here in Australia, they don't, so would need to go to the likes of Onimaru55 for honing.
Here is the link Cutthroat Razors

All the best, and welcome to the forum.


Mick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MickR

I will buck the trend and say that Dovo and Timor use the same blades in some models, and that Timor make those blades, so based on that Timor razors should be on a par. However my experience here is limited. I just have it from a source that I would think should know their stuff, being in the cutlery business, that this is fact. I just recently gifted my excellent Timor to my best mate for his birthday. I know I will regret having done this later down the track, but it was already loaned out to him and I had not seen it for a few months, so I shouldn't miss it terribly...I Hope. Having spoken in glowing terms of Timor now, they had better live up to your expectations if you get one and here is another Australian site you can purchase from. I don't know that they come Shave ready from this place, and I would think, like many other places here in Australia, they don't, so would need to go to the likes of Onimaru55 for honing.
Here is the link Cutthroat Razors

All the best, and welcome to the forum.


Mick

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Well giving the Timor to him as a gift got around the awkward "can I have my___ back" question, it seems that the longer someone has something the harder it is to ask them to return it.

cheers guys, I'll probably steer away from ebay for the time being. I'm keeping an eye on the classifieds here, they certainly seem like great deals, unfortunatly I probably can't get the kit right away due to other payments but I'm sure some more great deals will pop up some time. and If I do get e new one I'll probably stick with a new dovo for now

you live in my area MickR :) and that site was one of the first I stumbled upon in my razor research :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Well giving the Timor to him as a gift got around the awkward "can I have my___ back" question, it seems that the longer someone has something the harder it is to ask them to return it.

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I got it back off him no drama's, I honed it up (Touch up really, along with one of his own for edge restoration) and gifted mine to him for his birthday.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stickeelion

cheers guys, I'll probably steer away from ebay for the time being. I'm keeping an eye on the classifieds here, they certainly seem like great deals, unfortunatly I probably can't get the kit right away due to other payments but I'm sure some more great deals will pop up some time. and If I do get e new one I'll probably stick with a new dovo for now

you live in my area MickR :) and that site was one of the first I stumbled upon in my razor research :)

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Well if you need help with anything let me know. If I'm around you can drop by.


Mick