Thread: New Guy

Hi all

Just taking 5 mins to say 'G'day' and introduce myself.

So for the last 25 years or so I've been shaving in the shower with cheap disposables and Faulding shaving cream which I just smeared on my face - did ok I suppose... didnt really think much about it and after slicing myself a good one one day, decided that I'd like to try something a bit different.

Invested in a Weber stainless steel safety razor, a Frank Silvertip badger brush, a bowl and some Taylor of Old Bond Street cream, and lo... I'm hooked - I love the lathering up and the skilled job of shaving without injury(especially the learning curve, as there was a bit of blood at the start), the refreshing splash of cold water when finished and the oh so smooth skin for the next few hours - so much so that I'm itching to try a straight razor. To be honest, its something I've always wanted to try anyway, but I've never really gone looking for someone that I'd trust to hold a blade to my throat like that.

Went and got my dear departed Grandfather's old straight razors, but I fear they have had it - dirty, rusty, broken handles and a chipped blade or two. There are a couple of others with my dad (in another state of Australia) that I'll get when I go over there in a month or so - apparently they are in better condition.

Regardless, I dont have a strop and so I stumbled on someone in Queensland selling 700mm x 100mm kangaroo leather for strops on ebay for $16 - just bought one and I'll get D-ring and some Chicago screws and make myself one.

I strongly suspect that after I've tried Grandad's old razor (assuming at least one can be made shave ready), I'll lash out on a new one for myself. I was thinking of a Ralf Aust, but have some questions that I'll save for another thread.

Anyway... glad to be here and see that I'm not the only one who is now obsessed by this :-)

G'Day and Welcome to SRP…

I'm sure the forum will keep you busy for many hours, there really is a wealth of information here, some that suits and some that don't. But the most important thing is that all the guys here are always happy to help, so feel free to post any questions you have or tell us about your excitement at the new discoveries you make…. Many of us love reliving our early days at any opportunity.

I like you came from the DE and then progressed on to straights. I use both nowadays, and enjoy shaving very much. The straight takes a little longer to get familiar with than the DE but it's an enjoyable experience for sure and once mastered will shave you every bit as well if not better for some.

The only tip I can give you at this point is to enjoy

Hi and welcome. If you have razors pic's will help us let you know if they are worth saving. Sometimes they aren't as bad as you think. Any questions feel free to ask and happy shaving.

Hi, and welcome to SRP !!

Welcome to the on line encyclopedia of all that is shaving, enjoy!

G'day and welcome to the forum.

Thanks all for the warm welcome :-)

I've posted pics of the old razors I've got here

If one is worth restoring, I'd be willing to give it a try!

Some of those look salvageable for sure. I would try some good quality metal/chrome polish on the Blue Wonder, Platypus or the George Butler. Keep in mind that metal polish will remove the gold wash on the blades

Originally Posted by Graham

Regardless, I dont have a strop and so I stumbled on someone in Queensland selling 700mm x 100mm kangaroo leather for strops on ebay for $16 - just bought one and I'll get D-ring and some Chicago screws and make myself one.

Let us know how the Kangaroo leather goes id be interested to see what kind of shave a razor that's kangaroo stropped would give isnt kangaroo leather quite dense and would in theory work very well?

Welcome! been wanting to try making a strop or two myself, curious about the kangaroo leather too