Thread: Hi from Brisbane, Australia

Firstly, many thanks to David who sorted out my membership so that I can now introduce myself and interact with other members via the forums.
Secondly, I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and expertise that the experienced members of this site are so willing to share.
My story so far -
Like so may others, I started to shave with a straight out of curiosity and bought my first three razors off EBay before knowing what I was doing (read: before finding this site)
I read, with interest, the thread on the 'Gold Dollar' razors, as this was the first one that I bought and shaved with (straight out of the box!!). I couldn't understand why straight shaves were supposed to be so close as I couldn't get my shave anywhere near as close as my old schick FX no matter how many passes I did.
I was using an old leather belt to strop with until the one arrived with my next razor, which is a 'titanium' blade which I thought looked pretty (how was I to know that it wouldn't take an edge).
I had trawled You Tube to find out how to straight shave, hone and strop and managed not to cut myself about too much but didn't get a real close shave either.
I managed to hone the GD (5 passes on an 8k water stone) to a better edge and, using very light pressure, get a much better shave than I had previously.
I have just purchased a couple of old razors and am going to try my hand at restoring them. (photo attached)
I have read so much about the art of straight shaving on this site and am indebted to those who have shared their experience.
Eventually I will know what I am doing.
If there is anyone here in Bris who would like to meet up and have a coffee, I would dearly love to see what a real edge is like.
Sorry if I have been a little long winded, but I have to live up to my name...hehehe
Cheers All,
Geoff

Welcome! I'm ... about 10 hours drive south of you and starting to learn as well, just with my Grandfather's razors.

Hi Mick,
I know the area as we ride down that way going to Phillip Island for the motorcycle racing (my other passion).
I don't know what happened to my Grandfather's razors (if he had any) and Dad used an old Gillette DE for a long time.

I'm not big on racing but I do love to ride (though I'm between bikes right now )

Welcome aboard Havachat & don't forget to post up your restores when done.
No big loss on your first purchases. At least you can practice stropping with them

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Welcome aboard Havachat & don't forget to post up your restores when done.
No big loss on your first purchases. At least you can practice stropping with them

That's true.
I'm using one of them as a knife in my workshop 'cause I can't get a shaving edge on it.
The other one is barely OK so I am persevering with it until I get my real ones done.
And that's another thing - is the leather side of a strop supposed to stretch easily - the one I have does?
Would 2000 grit sandpaper tidy up the thick side of a strop to what it is supposed to be?
My strop (purchased from the same place as the 'titanium' razors has a very thick, natural coloured side and a thin, black side.
Maybe I should go for a ride to see Mick and find out what a real strop looks like.

Currently all I have an el'cheapo baby strop I bought to practice with. Cost me all of about $20 something shipped and I'm not going to be too upset if I accidentally cut it. When I can track down my grandfather's strop THEN I'll have something I'd be willing to show people.

Originally Posted by MickRussell

Currently all I have an el'cheapo baby strop I bought to practice with. Cost me all of about $20 something shipped and I'm not going to be too upset if I accidentally cut it. When I can track down my grandfather's strop THEN I'll have something I'd be willing to show people.

Sorry Mick,
I got you confused with MickR at Redcliffe that makes the 'roo hide strops.

Ahhh now THOSE should be worth having!

Damn being broke!

I just sold my ute and will have money for some more real shaving equipment on Sat.
I suppose I will have to learn how to use the classifieds here now.
When I get proper equipment I might know what this stuff is supposed to feel like.
Any suggestions for my first 'real' razor?
Just don't tell SWMBO