Thread: Hi from Perth, Western Australia

Hi all!

Been a DE shaver for a few years and have been umming and ahhing on taking the dive into straight razors ... and so I've been doing as much research as I can handle, and figure I may as well make an account here and try to learn something

I've picked out a 3" wide strop by Premier, some chromium oxide bar thingy, a Dovo 5/8" silver steel razor (mostly because it looks cool, but I heard stainless steel razors were not as good as carbon steel?) ... and then I started getting into honing and the purchasing of stones etc., and am wondering if I really need that, or if it would be better to just strop, and take my razor to a pro to hone when it's necessary ... any thoughts? Am I vaguely on the right track?

I've been watching youtube videos on stropping and shaving with a straight razor, and have read the post here on introduction to straight razor shaving.

Cheerio

The Dovo should be fine, assuming it's been honed by the seller. I have no personal experience of stainless-steel razors, but the reports here are generally favorable. They take long to hone than carbon steel, but have just as good an edge.

As for stones, etc:

. . . Don't hone a working razor (especially if it's your _only_ razor) until it _needs_ honing.

That means (for most people) after months of continuous use.

Just strop it after (or before) each shave.

When it gets dull, put some CrOxide on a piece of balsa, or on a piece of cloth (e.g. seatbelt webbing), and see if you can get the edge back into shape.

When that doesn't work, _that's_ the time to ask questions about honing (or send the razor out). The lowest-cost DIY solution is a vintage barber hone, or lapping film. There is no upper limit to how much you can spend.

And don't think that, just because you own a hone, you know how to use it! There's a learning curve . . .

Charles

Thanks a bunch Charles

That takes a load off my mind ... I think I'll buy a strop, the Chromium Oxide paste, and the straight razor, and then think about sending it to a pro to hone rather than hone myself. I keep my kitchen knives in good condition and never have to hone them (only finishing steel + polishing steel before each use, I know it's not quite the same but anyway,) so here's to hoping I can achieve constant sharpness in a straight razor with before-every-use stropping!

I certainly don't think that if I own a stone I'll know how to use it ... just watching YouTube vids on the subject prompts me to think "what if I do that wrong? Wrong angle? Wrong amount of pressure?"

Anyhoo, thanks for the advice, I feel better informed now

I'll post an update on how I fare in a few weeks!

Geez another bloody Sandgroper...Welcome to the forum mate. Sounds like you might have got yourself sorted gear ways. Where are/have you, sorted your gear from mate? And don't just give me that vague generalisation called 'The Eastern States' either . Not really too many from your end of the GSL about on the forum. Gordon (Heelerau) is a fellow SG, but I don't recall any others. I know there are some, but just don't remember who.
For the record, I didn't find it all that hard to learn how to hone, but I was willing to destroy a razor all the same. Just keep the pressure light if you do try it yourself. Concentrate on learning the shave first (unless that razor needs a proper honing, then you might be up that creek people mention. The one without a paddle to it's name.)


Mick

Heya Mick

I suppose you'll also hate it if I just say "from the internet?" right? :P

I actually came here through YouTube, @geofatboy from Shave Nation - Shaving Supplies mentioned this place as a great wealth of knowledge, so I feel indebted to him and that I must pay tribute by purchasing something from his store ...

Been watching his videos on straight razor shaving, stropping, getting the curve out of a honing stone, more stropping, and his reviews on DE razors too.

Surprised to see there actually is a board for peeps Down Under, am impressed

Got nothing against buying online at all. If you have a look at the posts in the Aussie forum you'll see we have even put together a list of the local websites to purchase from if you need more gear.

Now about this text talk...peeps...Well, just don't start me...


Mick

G'day and welcome to the forum. A Dovo 5/8 is a great starting razor. If you start with a save ready razor, at worst you might need to look at getting a finishing hone in the future too touch it up.

G'Day Setak and welcome to SRP.
Glad to see another Aussie on board - even if you are from the dark side.....
I have been doing this for a couple of years now and haven't used pastes yet - maybe one day.
If I were you, I'd get my shaving and stropping technique sorted out, then get into honing - if you want to.
If you want, I'll touch up your razor when it needs it - gratis - you just pay the return postage.
I'm being selfish really 'cause I don't think I've honed a stainless razor yet.
If you get over this way - give us a yell and we can catch-up

Originally Posted by MickR

...Now about this text talk...peeps...Well, just don't start me...


Mick

I use the word 'peeps' a lot, but I use it to my dogs (4) and the chickens, as in "be good for daddy; peeps" and "Hello peeps!" (as they run across the lawn like someone running across the lawn with their arms held behind their backs). Anyway, welcome. I've never bothered with a Stainless Steel razor; I like the fact I need to look after them, it's part of the fun...

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I use the word 'peeps' a lot, but I use it to my dogs (4) and the chickens, as in "be good for daddy; peeps" and "Hello peeps!" (as they run across the lawn like someone running across the lawn with their arms held behind their backs). Anyway, welcome. I've never bothered with a Stainless Steel razor; I like the fact I need to look after them, it's part of the fun...

If your dogs look like that when they're running across the lawn, you either need to rethink what fertilizer you're using or take them to the vet to sort out some serious joint issues. And I'm not suggesting you're puffing too much 'erb their way either...Although you might be, but DON'T TELL ME if you are...I would feel obliged to let the RSPCA know if you did...


Mick