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Thread: Another Ottawa member !

  1. #1
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    Default Another Ottawa member !

    Hi SRP members,

    Samir here from Ottawa, Canada. I have just began my journey into the straight razor shaving world.
    I joined here after seeing that my friend (forum member Badgister) who I share some musical interests with is also a member here.

    I am happy to say things are going rather well for me so far. I am at my 3rd full shave this morning and I achieved what I would say is a confortable no iritation shave that is comparable to what I can get with my mach 3 which I have been using for 10 years. It didnt start well though, I usually sport a short trimed beard and I thought it would have been easier to outline my upper cheeks and neck with a straight razor. Wrong! This is what I tried to do the first time using the razor and even though I didnt cut myself, I found it akward to do and didnt do as good a job as with my mach 3.
    I have since read a lot on here and I know my ways were wrong.

    I was somewhat discouraged but I decided to do some full shaves and those went much better. The first one took me almost an hour and the one this morning probably 15 minutes with better results and less iritation. The most important thing I learnt from reading here is letting the tool do the work using no pressure and to reaply lather often when making new passes. Maybe I will try to do some beard outlining again now that I have a better feel for the razor and the hand positions that work for me. Any one have a pictorial of various hand position and grips? I use one hand by the way, not nearly confident enought to trust my left hand for this.

    My experience is probably different then most people. I bought a Dovo best quality on ebay and honed it myself. I have many years experience as a part time luthier (wooden instrument maker), so the tools I use have to be extreemely sharp to tackle some of the harshest woods like dense rosewoods and ebony. I already had Norton stones and a leather padle with green chromium oxide compound which I have been using for years on my planes and chisels.

    I am now starting to think about which product I will use next which is really the fun and exiting part of the shaving "experience". I found a store in the Market (Bottega Nicastro) that sells proraso products but like a I dumbo I bought the aerosol can of the Red kind. I love the sandalwood smell but I have been reading here and I now know it wasnt as good a choice so and I will pick up some of the cream or soap next. Any other stores in ottawa which carry good shaving products? I am liking this sandalwood scent! way different then the gillette shave gel I have been using my whole life.

    I see there are quite a few members here in Ottawa, I would be interested in a meet up if someone is planning one. Also, anyone that has a decently priced vintage blade to sell? I would be interested in making my own scales on one.

    Thanks for reading and welcoming me to the hood

    Cheers,
    Samir.
    Badgister likes this.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Badgister's Avatar
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    Samir! How great it is to see you on this forum! Welcome and enjoy the ride.

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    samircanada (04-09-2013)

  4. #3
    Incidere in dimidium Cangooner's Avatar
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    Welcome Samir,

    There aren't any *really* good suppliers of shaving gear here in Ottawa - at least that I'm aware of. I'd love to be proven wrong on that! La Bottega as you already know carries Proraso. They might also have Razorock, but I'm not sure whether I'm just imagining that. Shoppers Drug Mart also carries Proraso and some other lines as well, and Maca Root shaving cream at The Body Shop comes highly recommended too. There are a few other places such as barber shops that might have some kind of selection (Imperial on Bank usually has a bunch of DE and Straight razors, brushes, and strops, some soaps and aftershaves, etc but the selection isn't huge and they ain't cheap!) but nothing to get too excited about I'm afraid. I tend to buy almost all of my soaps, etc., online.

    I have a bunch of blades awaiting restoration in a drawer at home. When I get home I'll take a look and PM you if there are any I could stand to part with.

    I'd be all for an Ottawa meetup too, but unfortunately as I live in a tiny place downtown I can't offer to host. but maybe later in the spring/summer we should see if we can get something organized...

    It was in original condition, faded red, well-worn, but nice.
    This was and still is my favorite combination; beautiful, original, and worn.
    -Neil Young

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    samircanada (04-09-2013)

  6. #4
    Senior Member livingontheedge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cangooner View Post
    They might also have Razorock, but I'm not sure whether I'm just imagining that.
    They don't have RR, the black tubs are Omega shaving cream. Don't forget Stroked Ego on Bank, they have several creams and a few soaps, DR Harris creams and shaving sticks, and also I was surprised to find they now have Castle Forbes creams and of course Jack black and Eshave products, along with a few over priced straights, brushes and Double edged razors.
    John

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    Cangooner (04-09-2013), samircanada (04-09-2013)

  8. #5
    Member pitrik's Avatar
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    Hi Samir, and welcome. La Bottega has that same sandalwood proraso in a cream (not aerosol). Also, there is the cigar emporium on Clarence that sells straights and DEs, however the prices are quite high.

    At some point we should have a meetup. I have the space, but I'm 45 minutes out of town. We'll see!

  9. #6
    Incidere in dimidium Cangooner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pitrik View Post
    Hi Samir, and welcome. La Bottega has that same sandalwood proraso in a cream (not aerosol). Also, there is the cigar emporium on Clarence that sells straights and DEs, however the prices are quite high.

    At some point we should have a meetup. I have the space, but I'm 45 minutes out of town. We'll see!
    That's a fantastic idea! I drove about 5 hours to get to the Toronto one, so 45 mins will be a doddle.

    It was in original condition, faded red, well-worn, but nice.
    This was and still is my favorite combination; beautiful, original, and worn.
    -Neil Young

  10. #7
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    Welcome from a fellow Canadian. Once you get the hang of the straight it will be the best way to sculpt whatever look you're going for. Good luck and have fun

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