Thread: 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.


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

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

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

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

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