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