Thread: New member from Australia.

Hi everybody.

I'm a long time lurker first time poster. I'm male, in my late twenties and am sending this communication from the island of Australia. It's about 3 o'clock in the afternoon here on a bright and sunny day ~33 C / 91 F. You really should see these lovely clouds in the almost porcelain blue sky here

I've been had an interest in straight razor shaving for quite a while now, and presently feel like I have reached the right time in my life and level of enthusiasm to make an investment and learn the art.

I'll share a little background on my shaving journey prior to reaching this point, it has been a bit of a bumpy one. (Ba dum tss! - a virtual rimshot drum roll)

I started out as I suppose many of us might have in this era, teaching myself first to shave with the disposable cartridge razors which were most effectively marketed to my age group while I was growing up. Tradition, legacy or environmental impact played no part in my decision making.

Now I'm not sure if I had particularly sensitive skin, poor technique (or both) but I remember finding that shaving with the cartridge razors was for me a pretty painful and certainly inefficient exercise. Razors with multiple blades seemed to clog up with my whiskers immediately and do more tearing than shaving for me, I'd get cuts, razor burn and hairs pulled out - ouch.

I remember that I ended up transitioning to (if I remember correctly) a Bic brand disposable razor 'ladies' razor with a single blade, which not only turned out to be more economical but seemed to have a sharper blade that dulled less rapidly, and the design itself was less prone to clogging or more effectively rinsed out.

Some years later I purchased my first DE razor, I'd decided that shaving with a single blade was superior to shaving with three, four, five or more blades in a single cartridge and I had also become more environmentally conscious. In the back I contemplated the garbage bags upon bags full of unsanitary disposed plastic razors with rusting blades I had contributed or would contribute to landfills over my shaving lifetime.

Switching to a DE single blade razor both allowed me to save some more of my money, and also reduce my environmental impact. While I continue to accumulate collections of used razor waste, I feel that the manufacturing and disposal process of individual DE blades must be much less damaging to the environment than that involved in the consumption of plastic disposable or cartridge razors. In switching to DE razors however, I cannot say that my technique or understanding of shaving really increased that much, and it was still an unpleasant but more tolerable chore in my life. I manage to not cut myself most of the time, and the resulting shave is perhaps a little bit better.

Fast forward in time, I'm not sure exactly how long ago it was when I visited a barber and they used a straight razor to clean up some areas of the cut. I can remember the distinct sound of the blade moving over my skin painlessly and afterwards marvelling at the effect the barber had achieved with the blade on those areas. This blew my mind a bit and helped me realise how little I knew of or had thought about shaving.

It actually amazes me now that the practice of shaving with a straight razor is so relatively unpopular, given the glowing reports I've seen shared by straight razor converts as well as the economical and environmental benefits of the practice. It must be a sign of our times where products are designed to be superseded and replaced rapidly and where appliances are designed to require service and/or fail after so many years. It is unfortunately less profitable within the economic framework we presently utilise to promote to society the most effective tool for a job, when a more profitable alternative is available as far as large companies with marketing budgets are concerned.

Enter the shining light of online resources such as this, since then I've been researching the practice of shaving with a straight razor, as well as the fabrication, maintenance and restoration of straight razors. I've watched so many videos on Youtube and done more online window shopping than I'd like to think of.

My first mission is to acquire a usable straight razor and start learning how to apply it. I've read that the services at whippeddog.com are highly recommended for starters, so I am likely to place an order from there shortly. I'd be keen to hear any opinions on what package is best for starters, or if there are any alternatives with good reputations for those looking to get started without the most to spend.

I'd really also like to get into the art of honing and perhaps even restoring razors, so as far as learning to hone goes I've located a local supplier of the Norton waterstones 220/1000 and 4000/8000 that I've seen referenced a fair bit, I'm looking into a lapping plate (?) of some sort, maybe even a cheap microscope or jewellers loop for examination. Are there any other tools I've missed that you'd want when getting started? And also where could I acquire suitable straight razors to practice honing on?

I've thought of purchasing some el cheapo 'high quality steel' blades from Chinese suppliers to practice honing with and would appreciate any feedback on that and where to find blades to practice honing with economically (or is there some other way to practice?)

Anyhow thanks for reading. Hope you all have a great day.

L

Bit of a long read, but welcome to the forum "L". The Cut-throat razor is by far the best way to shave, but for King Camp Gillette's marketing, I daresay it would still be the way we shaved.
The modern pivet head cartridge razor does all the work of angles that your DE and C-T won't do. That's where the practice comes in with the older forms of sahving. Get the knack of that and a keen edge, and you're well on your way.
I would suggest you at least learn the shave with a Cut-Throat before you start your honing. If you're going to do it anyway, then any old cheap razor shaped object would do for practice, just don't expect to get a decent (complete) shave from it. Pick up a Gold Dollar from ebay for this if you like. You should be able to get a shave or two from one of those. I've never owned one, but the reports are mostly not good about their ability to hold an edge. Apparently they will take an edge though, so you should be able to shave test with one to see how your coming along in the honing department.
Thus the reason why you should at least be able to shave first. Without the knack of shaving, you won't have any idea how good or bad your honing skills are.
Where in Oz are you, by the way?


Mick

Haha yes bit ridiculous in post length :-0

I'm in Melbourne now, but will be staying in Adelaide next month for a while. Will get up North one of these days. Just put an order in for a straight and strop from Whippeddog.com, doing some more research on stropping in the meantime

Welcome to SRP!

Never mind about the post length - good to see a man as garrulous as myself here!

I'm not too sure practicing honing on chinese razors will necessarily set you up for when you start on the "good stuff" as it were. I always think you should start as you intend to go on. Learning to hone on a "decent" razor focusses the mind, lest you slip up.

Anyway, good to have you here. If there is any way we can help or be of use, let us know.

James.

Gents, glad you're here & glad you're posting. For the newer shavers, I encourage getting together w/ some experienced guys. A while back, there was a thread on a meet-up down in OZ. 'Wish I could have joined. Also, for you guys learning - I pay alot of attention to what Onimaru has to say. Stateside here, we have a number of really talented craftsmen with blades. If I were down there, I'd make the coffee, sharpen the pencils, wash the car - to get the time learning from Onimaru. I don't think that's hero worship or gush. I think time w/ him would be very well spent. 'Wish I could also.

G'Day and welcome aboard, L

When you get settled, you might like to edit your profile to let us all know where you are.

Keep an eye on the Down Under forum to find out when the catch-ups are - you'll be made very welcome