For all the animals out there.

I've just got into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne, so I figured I should probably learn how to handle a blade well and before I become a surgeon. If I can shave thick stubborn hair from my face with precision, the beasts I will eventually operate on will hopefully stand a pretty good chance survival.

The other reasons why I began to learn how to straight shave are:

1. I'm sick of paying for $15 for 4 disposable razors (Money)
2. Even when I triple shave with a disposable, I can still feel stubble (Dissatisfaction with another product)
3. I've had a couple of cut-throat shaves at a couple of different barbers, and I would like to try my own hand at it (Saw a better product)
4. My new years resolution with my wife was to do less work, and more of what I enjoy. I enjoy shaving (Therapy and meditation... and in a manly way)
5. It's an ethical choice in terms of waste (Will save the planet)

I hail from Adelaide in South Australia, and I'm about to move to Melbourne (although I've chosen to cycle the 1100+km via the Great Ocean Road in Summer for charity [I'm a man of unwise decisions:p]). I've been browsing the site for quite sometime now and was seriously contemplating joining up. I was surprised at the high calibre of writing, and the way many of you effectively communicate difficult concepts.

I genuinely hope to milk all of you for all of the tips, hints, and information that I can while I learn to shave with a straight razor (And hopefully to the relief of the community's Veterans: No, I don't want to know the value of my razors; yes, the search bar is a very useful tool; and no, I don't want to know how long my razor will last before I need to have it honed again.) I also have a keen interest in the history of the objects I own, and I think that this will extend to my razors and other shaving equipment.

So basically, I hope to be a valuable member of this community (particularly the Australian one), and build my knowledge and skills until I am at a stage where I can be a useful member and help newcomers as much as many of you do.

Now, for the question, aimed at both new and old members.

Why did you decide to start shaving with a straight/DE?
What equipment do you have, and why do you choose this? (Brag as much as you want about your little beauties!)

Cheers,

Wulf

Wellcome to SRP, I ran the dog lab for yrs at stanford in the 60s during the heart transplant era,even today,vets do not use blades,is a proven fact that using a blade/Vs an electric shaver,Creates far more bacterial skin contamination.
You be taught all this stuff down the road.Enjoy the site

Welcome to SRP from the other side of the world:)

First off, the best of luck to you with your studies.
As an animal lover and pet owner I salute you!

Sounds like you are both motivated and prepared for the straight razor adventure.
Should any questions arise, we will help you out the very best we can:)

Good luck matey!

Welcome from Sweden!

Wulf, this might be a razor for you; http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...rn-scales.html
and since you gonna be a vet, can you get cat whiskers?

Some quick advice, take heed if a thread contains words like "Jnat" or "tape"! ;)

Tape??? what about tape:)

Welcome to SRP. Just as well your riding to Melb. You might've needed a canoe if you chose Brisvegas instead. ;)

Welcome to SRP, Wulf.

Oz is correct - I just found part of my roof, which had taken off part of my TV antenna, on the back verandah...:cry:

Anyway, if there is anything I can help with - just ask - good to see another Aussie on board, too

@ Pixelfixed: Haha, Thanks. Don't worry, I'm planning on shaving the animals with a blade! I just need the blade skills so I can develop a steady hand and the precision needed for surgery. I figured that having a straight blade on my face would help with that.

@Thanks for the wisdom :). Yet, Vets still use disposable blades to shave the animals, but only after an electric shave and serious sterilisation of the surgery site. More recently, they've identified that any hair left over can create non-sterile niches for bacteria and other pathogens. So razors have essentially become crucial in the formation of an a-septic surgical site.

What did you do in the dog lab? What motivated you to work with dogs?

@Birnado: Cheers! I will take you up on that offer, I'm sure.

@Lemur: That is one bloody beautiful razor! I'm not sure if it belongs in my bathroom, or in the National Museum.

@Onimaru: Yeah, no joke! Or a fire suit if I was going through NSW.

@Havachat: I'm sorry to hear that mate. I will certainly be haunting the Down Under Forum more often than the main ones. So I hope to see you there too. I hope you and your family stay safe.

Well Wulf, welcome. That's a lit of wubble youse. :) You sound like a typical independant sort of Aussie bloke. Enjoy you ride to Mels Bin. 750kms wa the most I ever did for charity and that wass back when I was 17. I'd be flat out riding to the corner shop these days ;).

Geoff (Havachat), Are you right for a toothbrush mate? Need a handout of some kind? I'll lend you my electric razor too if you need it :p. Seriously though, if I can help in some way I will.


Mick

Cheers Mick. I've been reading a few of your posts, and you seem to be the local good guy, guru, and funny bloke. I'm sure we are going to have a good time giving each other flack in the future.

For now though, the same goes for me here Havachat. If you need a care-package sent up to somewhere you can get to, I'm sure we can sort something out.

[QUOTE=Wulf;1099891]@ Pixelfixed: Haha, Thanks. Don't worry, I'm planning on shaving the animals with a blade! I just need the blade skills so I can develop a steady hand and the precision needed for surgery. I figured that having a straight blade on my face would help with that.

@Thanks for the wisdom :). Yet, Vets still use disposable blades to shave the animals, but only after an electric shave and serious sterilisation of the surgery site. More recently, they've identified that any hair left over can create non-sterile niches for bacteria and other pathogens. So razors have essentially become crucial in the formation of an a-septic surgical site.

What did you do in the dog lab? What motivated you to work with dogs?

In 1964 shumway was perfecting the heart transplant,I was a lab tech, worked in his lab.Needed 3 dogs for every transplant.Recip/Donor and Bleeder.
My job was to get the recip ready for surg,put him to sleep,intubate him,prep him.
Same with the donor dog.Than go up to the kennel,pick out a bleeder,put the dog to sleep,do a cutdown on the femerol cannulate it Than collect all the blood in beakers.
Needed the blood to prime the heart/lung machine.
I killed ALOT of great dogs:(

That's a sad story Pixel. I assume it was all for a very good cause...Saving an even greater dogs life, yes?


Mick