Need help! Gift for husband!

Hello,
I'm located in a remote area of Australia and my husband would like to start using a cut throat razor. With his 30th bday coming up I'd like to get him set up with a razor, strop and anything else he will need. I'm leaning towards getting him a new razor as we are not really "vintage" people (mostly because I'm not sure what I'm buying)
I have done a little research and am looking at Dovo and Thier Issard but not sure which way to go. Thinking that a 5/8 round would be a good starting point but don't know what type of steel to go with.

HELP!!!!

Anything german or american made will be fine. French and italian razors are ok as well. The steel makes minimal difference and 5/8 round is a good start both brands are good as well.

Contact Jimbo or Onimaru55 right here on SRP they are downunder also and will be able to tell you about Local places if they are available

Either make of razor can give a nice shave but I don't know of anyone selling Thierrs in Oz. Dovos can be had online from someone like Mensbiz but Google is your friend unless you want a bricks n mortar store.

Thanks everyone.....online us our friend as we are 750km from the closest store��
What else do I need to look for? I'm thinking a strop....he has a good brush I purchased on one of our trips, but he will need to hone his own blade here as sending it off isn't really an option.
Are there any websites you can recommend to get everything he will need/want??

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Originally Posted by Oldyswife

Thanks everyone.....online us our friend as we are 750km from the closest store��
What else do I need to look for? I'm thinking a strop....he has a good brush I purchased on one of our trips, but he will need to hone his own blade here as sending it off isn't really an option.
Are there any websites you can recommend to get everything he will need/want??

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I think Mensbiz would be your one stop shop for everything if he needs to buy hones as well. They carry the Shapton brand so he can't go wrong with those but he will need to be a quick study or have some previous sharpening skills to do his own honing up front. Not impossible, just a big ask for new user but I imagine you 2 might be fairly self sufficient out there :) You on a cattle property ?

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Originally Posted by Oldyswife

Are there any websites you can recommend to get everything he will need/want??

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Well, one thing he'll most certainly need is an education in shaving with a straight razor, and you've already located that for him. :)

Tell him to sign up here as a member in addition to all the shaving gear you're getting for him. Not only will he be able to gain knowledge on how to shave, but there's a truckload of info on maintaining gear as well as moral support and encouragement (not to mention just good overall camaraderie).

One more suggestion- get two razors instead of one if your budget allows. That way, especially if sending one out for honing isn't an option, he'll have a backup to shave with while he learns to hone the other. As Onimaru55 stated earlier, learning to shave with a straight razor AND learning to hone at the same time is a pretty tall order.

Also, I noticed that you have your location set as Esperance, WA so that means your not all that far from Perth, correct? Maybe one of the members from Perth (edhewitt springs to mind) would be able to meet up with your husband and give him an in person lesson on all things straight razor?

Esperance is a long way from no where all by itself. Perth is a fair drive away from there. As for learning to hone and shave, I'm living proof it can be done, but I will admit it wasn't the funnest way about it. I would recommend that you have it honed up first time around, by the likes of Onimaru55, just to remove any doubt about the shave-ability of the razor.


Mick

Yup only 450miles or so Ed is practically next door.

jim

To put it in perspective, if its only half a days drive i consider it "close"!
My advice is to purchase it and get it sent straight to Oz or similar as i recently purchased one trying to stay with Australian sites but now realized that none of them are shave ready brand new. Otherwise you'll find your husband is like a kid with a RC car and no batteries!

Hi, I live in Perth but work in the pilbara, don't be concerned about sending a razor for honing, I have sent razors from Karratha and Perth to oz (onimaru) for honing. Overnight express is only $10 each way. And should take 1-2 days either end. Oz has a pretty good Turn around too in my experience.
All my razors (3) are vintage. I can't speak for any new brands. With regards to other stuff, what sort of budget have you got? Neil miller strops are supposed to be fantastic, and don't have to be too spendy.
Soaps, creams and pre/post shave things don't need to cost a fortune to be nice.
Has your feller wet shaved before? Learning to make a decent lather is something he could be doing to reduce the quantity of things he will need to pick up. If you got him a brush and some decent quality soap early it may make life easier, or if it wouldn't dent his pride you could get these things, figure them out and have it ready/ show him how to do it. I know I would like that.
All the best Ed.

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Originally Posted by syslight

Yup only 450miles or so Ed is practically next door.

jim

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Come on Jim we deal in kilometres here, divide by 5, times by eight. I am happy to help where I can, but I spend most of my time in Karratha, which is around 1700 km from perth, besides bongo is a bit south of Fremantle which is even closer. As said I am happy to help where I can. :)

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Originally Posted by crouton976

Well, one thing he'll most certainly need is an education in shaving with a straight razor, and you've already located that for him. :)

Tell him to sign up here as a member in addition to all the shaving gear you're getting for him. Not only will he be able to gain knowledge on how to shave, but there's a truckload of info on maintaining gear as well as moral support and encouragement (not to mention just good overall camaraderie).

One more suggestion- get two razors instead of one if your budget allows. That way, especially if sending one out for honing isn't an option, he'll have a backup to shave with while he learns to hone the other. As Onimaru55 stated earlier, learning to shave with a straight razor AND learning to hone at the same time is a pretty tall order.

Also, I noticed that you have your location set as Esperance, WA so that means your not all that far from Perth, correct? Maybe one of the members from Perth (edhewitt springs to mind) would be able to meet up with your husband and give him an in person lesson on all things straight razor?

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Hey crouton, I seem to have become infamous, I would suggest that you look up the theme to Henry's cat (a cartoon from the UK ), it will become apparent what my level of knowledge actually is :)

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Originally Posted by Hayzee

To put it in perspective, if its only half a days drive i consider it "close"!
My advice is to purchase it and get it sent straight to Oz or similar as i recently purchased one trying to stay with Australian sites but now realized that none of them are shave ready brand new. Otherwise you'll find your husband is like a kid with a RC car and no batteries!

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Hey Hayzee, I just read your location, 'North West of Australia'. Well I've been to Christmas Island, but what's Indonesia like?! :p


Mick

Beautiful, flights arecheaper to go from Perth to Indo than to Karratha! Truckie by trade so am mostly throughout that area although live in Ktown.

On a side note, sorry for hijacking the thread. But i saw some fairly good deals at The Classic Edge Shaving Store Your Straight Razor Specialists. for starter kits if you can wait for the overseas postage. Wish i had found that one before. They also reportedly come shave ready which IMO is a big plus for a new razor!

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Originally Posted by MickR

Esperance is a long way from no where all by itself. Perth is a fair drive away from there. As for learning to hone and shave, I'm living proof it can be done, but I will admit it wasn't the funnest way about it. I would recommend that you have it honed up first time around, by the likes of Onimaru55, just to remove any doubt about the shave-ability of the razor.


Mick

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Hmmm
Lots to think about. I have a bit if time so I may order a blade then send it to get honed. Budget....I would like to keep it around $500 for the lot. But since it's for his 30th and I want this to be special not just utilitarian I'm looking for a razor that isn't plastic handled. Is this too much to ask for?? As for creams....I did hit a shave shop in Perth for a good brush and cream and he recommended Taylor of old bond street so that is what he has. He has held off on using it as I know he us waiting to have a straight.
As for follow up honing I'm sure he will give it a go. He does wet sharpen my Japanese cooking knives and quite enjoys it. I think he should just shave with them as nothing could be sharper!!! (May be a bit long though 😳)
Strops......wider better? How many does he need?
Pastes? I guess that goes with strops....how many and which ones?
As to answer the location comments...yes we are in Esperance...not a cattle station....in town but Gillette is the fanciest they get down here. The 750km/480mi used to be a breeze.....add one 8 month old and it all changes! No longer "fun" to jet to the city for a weekend of shopping. (Especially in stores cluttered with blades and specialty items)
Thanks for the help guys!

With that kind of budget you will get a NICE shave ready razor with wooden scales (handles) and a very nice looking strop to match! I havn't found any brand new on Aus sites but the other guys might?

Plastic scales are more practical IMHO but of course it's your choice. If he sharpens Jknives he won't likely need pastes & may be able to use the same stones he already has. Best to keep it simple in the beginning & most times for that matter. :)

One good strop is plenty. Linen & leather. 2.5" - 3" will serve. Bigger is not better nor worse unless poorly constructed.

Sorry for all the confusion everybody... I think Google maps was having a go at me this morning...

Oh, and ed, I think you know more than you think you know, based on advice I've seen you give others. Also, they say that there's sometimes no better way to learn than to teach. :)

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Originally Posted by crouton976

Sorry for all the confusion everybody... I think Google maps was having a go at me this morning...

Oh, and ed, I think you know more than you think you know, based on advice I've seen you give others. Also, they say that there's sometimes no better way to learn than to teach. :)

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Aww now I have gone all red :)

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Aww now I have gone all red :)

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I had a friend who was a Trotskyist. :p

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

I had a friend who was a Trotskyist. :p

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Geez where's that damn dictionary gone again! As bad as that other word...Meme was it?!...Trotskyism...Ah yes! Now I get it. You made a joke about socialists and communists based on the red of Ed's...'ead...Ok yeah, you had to be there I know...:):p


Mick

I wish my bride could be left to look for a straight for me and find this site and go to the effort you have, I applaud you for seeking & finding the outstanding advice here,
Just be warned you are opening a can of worm when he gets started lol

With the advice you have received here I am sure you will not go wrong regardless of your final choices.
good luck and we look forward to hearing from you lucky partner when he lets everyone know how well you did
Cheers D

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Originally Posted by MickR

Geez where's that damn dictionary gone again! As bad as that other word...Meme was it?!...Trotskyism...Ah yes! Now I get it. You made a joke about socialists and communists based on the red of Ed's...'ead...Ok yeah, you had to be there I know...:):p


Mick

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Havent you got a handbag to make? :). I know what a meme is but have no idea why it's called a meme.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Havent you got a handbag to make? :). I know what a meme is but have no idea why it's called a meme.

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What I do on my smoko break is entirely up to me! The "handbag" is coming along just fine. Slowly, but fine. :) :p


Mick