Thread: G'day from Oz

Morning Gents,

Thanks very much for the opportunity to participate in the greatest repository of straight shaving information in the world! I'm a 26 y.o. man from Western Australia (but seldom actually there) who's been putting up with bad shaves for the past decade and looking for something better.

Look forward to soaking up the wealth of knowledge out there, and enjoying my first straight shave in the very near future.

liljohn.

Welcome John! Have you purchased of picked out what you want as a first razor?

Welcome from Utah.

Thanks for the warm welcome gents.

I'm at the end of my research phase and looking to purchase a complete wet shaving kit in the next couple of days. I've been using brushes and soaps for a while now, so shouldn't really need to replace those. My big concern remains getting my first razor(s) 'shave ready' so I think I'll buy from a U.S. vendor that offers shave ready products.

Here's what I'm thinking to get me started:
-Dovo (undecided model) carbon steel half hollow straight in 4/8 or 5/8 with a round point, professionally honed x2
-Dovo or simmilar Leather strop
-Norton 5000/8000 combo stone

I'd like to get started on learning to hone straight away - which is also why I'm looking at a second razor straight up so that I've got a professionally prepared razor to compare my working razor to.

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

Liljohn.

Welcome aboard mate.
A 4/8 razor might be a little on the small side (for my taste anyway) I'd recomend a 5/8 or 6/8 personally but thats a matter of taste.
Dont forget a strop, You should strop before each shave.
Grant

I am a relatively recent newcomer to straight razor shaving also. 6 months or so ago I bought my first straight and it was a cheap blade not even worth looking at let alone shaving with. At the time I didnt know so the second razor I bought was an 8/8 wade and butcher still my daily shaver. this was the razor that I studied and practiced with.

I recommend starting by practicing with something that wont cut you as you begin to map your face for shaving. get comfortable with the movements and angles required for S R shaving. switching hands has been my worst cut so far. The first time you shave make sure that you have a well stropped and very sharp blade. If it doesnt "pop" hairs its not ready.

get used to shaving in the down direction only. One pass only. I read a post of a newbie doing 7 passes on his first go. Dont!

shaving up is a completely different feel. take your time and dont force it if it sticks.

learn and know where the trouble spots are on your face and the direction your hair grows. this is very helpful in avoiding irritation.

remember that you are not just moving hair off your face but exfoliating your dead skin cells also so take a while and let your face adapt.

I still shave every other day sometimes if I feel it will help.

under the nose and the chin is a place to be careful as this is where most nics occur. shave side ways under your nose not up. incase it slips..

take your time and enjoy the shave rushing is not recommended.

G'Day liljohn and welcome to SRP from Queensland.
Nothing much to add to the previous posts except to suggest an Australian vendor for your first razor.
I got mine from johnmrson in Melbourne and it is still serving me well after more than 12 months.
Oz (onimaru55) in Sydney also has a good reputation.
My suggestion would be that you PM them, discuss your needs/wants and take their suggestions on board.
It will make the journey more enjoyable in the early days.
Also, hold off on honing until you have more than six months shaving/stropping experience under your belt.
You'll have more of an understanding of what a shave ready blade is by then.
Most of all - hang on and enjoy the ride.

Welcome from the East Coast.
Agree with Baldy , a 4/8 can be a bit of a challenge in new hands or in large hands but they can be pretty great for trimming or bits that are more awkward with a bigger blade.
My advice is practice stropping with sacrificial items first to develop dexterity. A butterknife & a single sheet of newspaper the size of your strop will save your new razor & strop not to mention honing fees.

Originally Posted by liljohn

Thanks for the warm welcome gents.

I'm at the end of my research phase and looking to purchase a complete wet shaving kit in the next couple of days. I've been using brushes and soaps for a while now, so shouldn't really need to replace those. My big concern remains getting my first razor(s) 'shave ready' so I think I'll buy from a U.S. vendor that offers shave ready products.

Here's what I'm thinking to get me started:
-Dovo (undecided model) carbon steel half hollow straight in 4/8 or 5/8 with a round point, professionally honed x2
-Dovo or simmilar Leather strop
-Norton 5000/8000 combo stone

I'd like to get started on learning to hone straight away - which is also why I'm looking at a second razor straight up so that I've got a professionally prepared razor to compare my working razor to.

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

Liljohn.

Welcome to a wonderful new world! It is exciting isn't it! With that said, go slow! Grant's advice on the 4/8 is spot on!! Go with a minimum of a 9/16 and stick with a round point for now! You will thank me later on! Now! You don't need to spend a ton of monies on your first razor! You will find some very nice beginner's razors for about $35 and shave ready, shipping across the big pond will add some postage costs but these vintage razors can give some killer edges and shaves!

Now! After you've learned how to properly shave with and maintain your razor, then and only then should you consider learning to hone! By then you will appreciate your work!

I believe that Glen's monthly advice hit home right here!

Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: March 2012

While I can't speak for everyone here I do believe that you will find that your fellow members want you to succeed! That's why we answer posts and give advice as best we can!

I hope that this will help! If you want a reference for purchasing a beginner's razor or two PM me!

Again! Welcome and welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the Web!

Thanks for all the advice gents, really appreciate it. So many gold nuggets in there, not sure where to start!

I've been practising stropping on an old barber strop I found at an antique store with a butter knife, trying to get the technique down pat having watched a bunch of videos and read the threads here on SRP. How long can I expect to maintain a shave ready edge from stropping alone? I've read individual cases from 3-4 shaves to a couple of months...

Cheers

Liljohn