Hi Gents - I'm from Geelong in Australia

Hi Gents,

I'm from Geelong in Australia and I think I may be about to commit SRP sacrilege.

I've been pondering the idea of using a straight razor and before I jump in boots and all, I thought I'd ask if it's worth starting out with something like a DOVO Shavette first to get the technique of shaving with something similar to a straight razor before I make the investment on my first real straight razor?

I suppose this comes form feeling a little overwhelmed by all this technical talk on stropping and honing. I sharpen my own hunting knives on a flat stone but this seems like a whole new level.

I am still in the research phase, so any advice would be kindly appreciated to point me in the right direction.

Kind Regards,

Steve (AKA - Goatman)

G'day Steve. Welcome to the forum. I'm just up the highway in Melbourne. My advise would be to start with a shave ready straight. In my opinion, a shavette looks like a straight razor but doesn't shave like a real straight razor so you've then got two learning curves.
Feel free to drop me a PM if you're after any advise. I ran a honing class at home a few weeks ago and I'll probably do another one in the not too distant future so keep your eye on the Downunder section. The more the merrier.

JOHN

Welcome aboard mate, just get the real deal and as stated above...have it honed by a pro. Most folks get 2 vintage razors so that when you mess up the edge on one razor you still have a back-up.it takes some time to learn the craft but give it time and you will be rewarded.There are plenty of bloaks in your country on here SRP that can get you on the right path. Good luck

Hi Steve,

welcome to SRP

Hi Steve,

Welcome to SRP.

As johnmrson is just down the road I am just up the road!

There are plenty of members in Melbourne who will be watching your SR experience with enthusiasm.

Take Johnmrson's advice regarding razors.

Read, read and read more about SR's in the library section. There is so much you can learn from this site.

Understand what "shave ready" really means before purchasing your first razor. :D

Sunbird

Thanks for the advice John. Ill keep you in mind once I get started with my first razor. I've done a fair bit of reading up on razors already, so I've got a vague idea of what I'm after for my first razor. I've been thinking something that's a 5/8 half to full hollow blade with a round tip and might be a good place to start. Do you know of any retailers in Melbourne that have a straight razors I can look at in person and pick up to get a feel for weight, tang length, and blade width. I'm not talking about actually using the razor, but I just think it might be good to pick up a blade to see how it feels in my hand to get a better idea of what will work for me.

Thanks,
Steve

Bricks and mortar stores that sell straights are very thin on the ground in Australia. You could visit Nathan at Mensbiz in Richmond. He's the only one that comes to mind. You're pretty spot on with looking for a round point, between 5/8 and 6/8 leaning more towards the hollow grinds.

Thanks everyone for the kind welcome. I look forward to sharing and learning with you all. I've just gone an brought myself a styptic pencil, now for the razor : )

G'Day and welcome to SRP, Steve.

From what I've heard, it'd be worth the drive up to meet with John.

I haven't met him, however, I bought my first shave ready razor from John and it was just the business for me to learn on.

Hi Steve,
If you have a 'The Shaver Shop' in your area I noticed they sell Dovos. I'd go for a full hollow 5/8. You get good tactile and audible feedback with that profile. I wouldn't bother about a Shavette, though I've never used one. I think learning to strop and hone is very achievable; and gives you ultimate control over the edge, and hence the shave, that a Shavette may not allow. Being able to actually be taught to hone by someone would be well worth a drive!

Welcome to the forum!

Carl

I have found that Sam at capitans of Industry in the CBD has a small selectionf of new Dovos and some Trumpers products.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnmrson

Bricks and mortar stores that sell straights are very thin on the ground in Australia. You could visit Nathan at Mensbiz in Richmond. He's the only one that comes to mind. You're pretty spot on with looking for a round point, between 5/8 and 6/8 leaning more towards the hollow grinds.

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BTW Welcome to SRP and good luck on your journey.
I back John's advice as it is the same he gave me and I am a happy little shaver !!

Honing is not rocket science, stropping is even easier!