Hi, New guy from Qld, Australia

Hi everyone, just a quick intro, been spending the past 2 weeks on this and other sites learning about straight razors, ect.

I have now got to the point where I was really dissatisfied with the shaves that I have been getting with the disposables and also from the two electric razors that I own, so time to change tactics.

I used to use one of those shavette style razors when I was younger and before I was married and don't know exactly why I switched over to the twin blade disposable types. I think it was possibly because of the time restraints, quicker to hop into a shower in the morning with the disposable razor and didn't even need a mirror to see what I was doing, not a great shave but passable. Now that I have retired I have more time to enjoy life.

So now I have just ordered the Dovo 4580 Silver Steel razor 5/8 and also a Ozuku Asagi (Koppa) stone for the fine polishing after reading some reviews on this website about them both, still need to get a 4k/8k Norton or similar stone or a welsh slate to do the basic sharpening/beveling if needed and a strop is also in the post. Reading up on the different sharpening stones gave me head spins, too much information and too many choices/brands, and the prices were astonishing for a piece of rock. But as the saying goes "if you want it then just suck it up!" At least if the rock is any good it should last me a lifetime of sharpening so it's a one off expense. I do have some old slates from my father but they are a bit too small for my liking.

I was hoping to get the razor from Straight Razor Designs as it would come pre-sharpened, but it appears that that site is out of stock of the ones I was interested in, so ended up buying one from an E-Bay seller in Poland of all places (where I was born) as they were one of two places that I found that have them in stock (supposedly) and at a reasonable price that I could live with, will see if it arrives soon.

Fairly certain that although there were mixed reviews on the net of the hit or miss production quality of Dovo razors nowadays, it will most likely serve me well once it is honed up and I figure out how to use it correctly, although I am still keeping an eye on a couple of nice used Boker's that have caught my interest on E-Bay, and I also really liked the look of the Dovo BERGISCHEN LOWE, but at this stage it was out of my budget and although it looks much nicer it probably won't shave any better than the Dovo I bought, maybe next Christmas Santa may bring one to me. :w


Cheers

EdB

Welcome to SRP mate. If you could find someone local to you do hone it for you in the beginning, that'll leave you free to get the technique down for the straight. Then after a while, take up honing.

G'day EdB, good to have you aboard.
I know what you mean about the information overload when you first start researching this stuff, but it sounds like your getting your head around it well.
I dont know if the site you bought your razor from hones the razors before they go out, but most guys here say the factory edge on the Dovo's is not truly shave ready and will probably need a little tweeking.
Keep us informed on how things are going and dont be afraid to ask questions
Grant

Thanks fellas for the welcome, I am fairly certain that the razor will come factory sealed, ie; not shave ready, hence the reason I am buying all the stones, tried to get the razor from SRD as they do state that their stock is sharpened before delivery but it seems they (and most other companies I tried) are out of stock of the ones I was interested in, and so unfortunately I had to buy from where I could. So now it is a waiting game as I don't know how long delivery takes to get to Oz from Poland, at least in the meantime it will give me some more time to get the other stones I need. I have some experience with honing on knives and chisels but not on SR's, so will give it a go first and if I somehow stuff it up or it doesn't come up to expectations then I will watch someone more experienced to do it for me.

EdB

Just watch a few youtube clips from guys like Lynn Abrams and gssixguns and listen carefully, they know what they're talking about. That will help a lot.
Grant

G'Day and welcome, Ed.

If you are anywhere near me I'll give you a hand with honing - just shoot me a PM

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Originally Posted by Havachat45

G'Day and welcome, Ed.

If you are anywhere near me I'll give you a hand with honing - just shoot me a PM

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Thanks for the offer, I am north of you up in Ningi, near Caboolture so not quite local to where you are but I will give you a call if I have problems, I have just ordered up another 3 cheapo Chinese razors to practice on, so if I can get a reasonable edge on those then I shouldn't have to much drama doing the Dovo, (famous last words!). Still chasing a Norton 4k/8k or a coticule to complete a set of stones, it's an expensive little hobby I have just gotten in to! Probably still a month away before all the bits arrive from everywhere.

Cheers

EdB

Welcome to SRP :)

I'm sure you will do fine. If not there are plenty of us local enough to help you out if needed.

Good luck.

James.

A bit late to the post , but welcome Edb. I'm a bit closer to you than Geoff (havachat) if that makes it any easier for you. I can also give you pointers on the honing, though I'm far from the expert; my own face is happy with the edge I put on them :).


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

A bit late to the post , but welcome Edb. I'm a bit closer to you than Geoff (havachat) if that makes it any easier for you. I can also give you pointers on the honing, though I'm far from the expert; my own face is happy with the edge I put on them :).


Mick

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Thanks Mick and Jimbo, looks like there are quite a few straight shavers around here in S.E. Qld. Now I just have to wait to get all my bits. Has anyone tried out the Taidea stones from Auskitchen or the stones from themagicworld2009 (both sellers on E-Bay), they seem to be the same apart from the name, looks like the only Norton 4k/8K stones I can find are from overseas, and the price shipped to me would work about the same for two of the others in combo grit 2k/5k and a 3K/8K or 1 Norton 4k/8k combo. Any advice welcome.

Cheers

EdB

Try the carbaTech website as well mate. Here Japanese Waterstones : CARBA-TEC.


Mick

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Originally Posted by EdB

Has anyone tried out the Taidea stones from Auskitchen Any advice welcome.

Cheers

EdB

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I have a 1 and 8K Taidea and they are far too course/gritty for my liking - the Tojiro ones are more like a Naniwa in feel (nice and velvety)

You could look at the Sigma 1, 6, 13K set from toolsfromjapan as well.

I've got them are found them really nice to use and good value (shipping is a PITA though)

Well after doing all the chasing and research on the web on the various stones and finding out that the Norton 4k/8k stone is not available in Australia and only from the USA, I finally bit the bullet and ordered one from Amazon.com, ($84 delivered) should get here by the end of the month. I had a look at Carba-tek but their single grit 8K stone was $125 so ruled that out. I figure that if some of the commercial guys are using the Norton combo stone and are happy with the results then it should do me as well. I will hone and lap them when they arrive and so should be good to go and learn how to sharpen razors on the cheapies I bought.
I also have a Japanese stone on order (Ozuka Azagi Koppa), so I will use that as the finishing stone and that should do to complete the set (for now:) ) unless I develop HAD, which I am really trying to resist, too many tempting choices. I have some lower grit ones already so for now I will see how these new ones go before spending the kids' inheritance on more stones.


Thanks for the help fellas.

Cheers

EdB

Carba-tec have stone holders and DMT D8C's at a reasonable price if you are in the market for them.

You should really get yourself a DMT325 (D8C) for lapping and creating slurry IMHO

Hi Havachat45, I actually ordered a large dual sided coarse and medium Diamond plate last week for that lapping and have a couple of small ones for slurry making already, so I am just about set for the sharpening part of things, although today I did go out and buy a piece of balsa wood and some very fine diamond dust (50K and 100K) for a paddle board, probably overkill and most likely won't be necessary but what the heck, seeing as I have blown out my budget well and truly, I might as well get the lot, don't know it it will make any difference and haven't read of too many people that use them as part of a sharpening routine. As for the stone holders, the Norton comes with one but I was hoping to make up some decent wood ones to keep them on and in.

Cheers

EdB

Cheers

Ed.

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Originally Posted by EdB

Well after doing all the chasing and research on the web on the various stones and finding out that the Norton 4k/8k stone is not available in Australia and only from the USA, I finally bit the bullet and ordered one from Amazon.com, ($84 delivered) should get here by the end of the month. I had a look at Carba-tek but their single grit 8K stone was $125 so ruled that out.

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Good on you getting the Norton, they are a great stone. (Oh, by the way, welcome). This makes me say, though, that I wish someone (or in fact I) would get off their bottom and create an Australian web site that actually features products SR shavers need. I know there's a few that offer soaps and scents, etc, and also DE stuff, but I ALWAYS have to send my money overseas if I want the stuff that all of us here know is actually quite common to us all. Stuff like strops, hones, and 'interesting' niche market 'European' soaps, creams and scents...

Maybe this is Carl's retirement plan, other than growing my hair long, taking up surfing again and experimenting with lysergic acid...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EdB

Well after doing all the chasing and research on the web on the various stones and finding out that the Norton 4k/8k stone is not available in Australia and only from the USA, I finally bit the bullet and ordered one from Amazon.com, ($84 delivered) should get here by the end of the month.

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Welcome to the Place Ed.
Actually you can buy the Norton in Australia but not for $84 delivered. ;)
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Australia | Norton Waterstones

Hi fellas, thanks for the welcome.

That place has them listed for $125 plus delivery cost (probably about $15 est.) so it would work out quite expensive for me.

In all honesty and in their defence , they aren't price gouging or ripping any one off with that figure. Even if they got a discount from buying from a wholesaler/manufacturer overseas, by the time they buy a large quantity to do so, organize to have it sent to a shipping agent, paying both the agent and for the freight to the shipping port, as well freight cost to import it here, then more customs charges, plus any duty as it will be a commercial quantity, then more clearance fees and GST on the lot, then freight to a store somewhere, it all adds up. At that stage they still haven't made any money on it, then they have to add their markup to cover costs, wages, insurances, running costs ect ect and more bloody GST. and lastly they have to make a profit 'cause that's is the reason the business exist, it's no wonder that the price is what it is. Yes, they get some of the GST paid earlier back but not enough to make a huge difference.

The only way would be to keep the cost down would be for the manufacturer to add it to their list of products here and stock it, and they won't do it 'cause the market here is probably too small for them to keep it in their price list although unless they stock it, they won't know how big that demand is!

At the end of the day, for myself I couldn't afford to buy that rock at that price, so have to get it direct from USA and cut out all the price hikes in between. Unfortunately that is the reality of running a business in Australia using products from overseas. For individuals like myself and others we just have to go on the web and ebay ect. to find the best prices we can afford. Off my soapbox now, ahh! feel much better now.

Cheers

EdB

Just wait until they start chucking GST on to all our internet purchases to prevent us from getting things cheaper overseas. Won't that be fun then?! :)


Mick

They do that now Mick, unless the price is below $1k & GST isn't the only fee they add then. Your $1k razor will cost about $1300 after customs take their cut.

Hey, Ed. Welcome and bravo for choosing quality. I'm betting you get to love it.

As you can see already, you have some guys down there, ready to help. I already see many of the names have responded. If its at all possible, I'd strongly recommend connecting w/ them. The face to face time will rocket your learning curve ahead. Among them are guys I'd love to meet, so I'm betting you would find the time a pleasure. 'Hope to hear more from you soon.

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

They do that now Mick, unless the price is below $1k & GST isn't the only fee they add then. Your $1k razor will cost about $1300 after customs take their cut.

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I would want several for that price, but then again, I'm a scrooge :). I knew about the GST by value already.


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Just wait until they start chucking GST on to all our internet purchases to prevent us from getting things cheaper overseas. Won't that be fun then?! :)


Mick

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I was trying to single handedly prop up the Portuguese economy a while back by supporting the portugal online shop, but the wife said 'no'...

Durn wives! They's kin be like that sum times! :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Durn wives! They's kin be like that sum times! :)


Mick

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Yeah. Mine always says 'You get whatever you want, you're too expensive to keep, we need to get rid of you, I never get anything for myself". You can't argue with the "I never get anything for myself" argument other than to say "Well, that's not MY problem!"...