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Hey there from Brisbane

I

iain

Member
Hi All,

looking at getting my first straight razor for my birthday and was pointed in this direction for advice.

Got my eye on the Dovo 5/8 with ebony handle, but as I understand it this one doesn't come shave ready, so now I need to find a honemeister.

Other than that, getting together the rest of a kit to start me off!
 
Welcome mate - others will be along soon with sensible straight advice.


Hey - Happy shaving :)
 
G'Day Iain and welcome to the fold.
It depends on where you get the razor from as some outlets get them honed to shave ready before they are shipped out.
In any case, I'll get it ready for you (gratis) if you like (also for your birthday).
All you need to do is bring it over. (Take note of my username though....hehehe)
Hang on and enjoy the ride.
 
Hey @iain welcome aboard, great to see more blokes from Brisbane we are slowly growing.
i regards to your new razor i will add my 2cents worth as i was in your exact position not that long ago. i bought a new razor thinking it was great but then decided to buy a vintage razor from one of the blokes on here. the vintage razor was a lot cheaper and came shave ready and in my opinion felt like a much better quality piece of kit. so now the more expensive new razor I bought just sits there unused, but that is just my opinion. there are a few guys on here that can help you out but i mainly dealt with @Mark he has great gear, other wise depending on where you are i am happy to lend you a couple of mine to see what you like.

anyway offer is there, happy shaving.
 
Welcome @iain - hope you have a great time here (y)

I'm sure the straight users will take care of you and I have heard nothing but absolute praise for @Mark - maybe send him a PM?

What brush(es) and soap(s) are you thinking of adding to the kit!
 
welcome aboard mate,
definitely take @Havachat45 up on his offer even if the str8 is already meant to be Shave ready just to confirm it,
there is nothing more off putting when starting out with Str8s than scraping away at you face with a dull or harsh razor thinking you are on the right path,
so lock it in & eliminate a major part of the learning curve, maybe get a bit of Lather building advice while your there as it will go a long way also,
the face to face meet & greets are invaluable as you can learn a great deal in a quick meet up, that would otherwise take a lot longer to get right running in solitary
cheers
 
Hi Iain,

Glad you could make it.

Don't forget to 'like' a few posts. It will open up the forum to you, more quickly.

Enjoy your stay.
 
Havachat45 said:
It depends on where you get the razor from as some outlets get them honed to shave ready before they are shipped out.
Click to expand...
Well I was trying to get it from mensbiz, unfortunately they've been sold out for the past week or so (and i'm somewhat impatient for this haha)
Havachat45 said:
In any case, I'll get it ready for you (gratis) if you like (also for your birthday).
All you need to do is bring it over. (Take note of my username though....hehehe)
Click to expand...

Thanks Havachat, very keen to take you up on that, only slight issue is redbank and morayfield aren't the closest suburbs, which is tricky because I don't drive...i'll send you a PM shortly and see what we can work out.
 
alfredus said:
What brush(es) and soap(s) are you thinking of adding to the kit!
Click to expand...

So far I'll be getting the Proraso red pre-shave cream, soap bowl and after shave lotion (always enjoyed the smell of sandalwood and shea butter).

Brushwise - the Vulfix pure badger #849 has good feedback, then for a strop...I don't know yet haha.

Tossing up between getting something cheap to start with as i'm likely to cut it as i'm a beginner, or getting something mid-range incase I don't cut it...
 
nathan1983 said:
i bought a new razor thinking it was great but then decided to buy a vintage razor from one of the blokes on here. the vintage razor was a lot cheaper and came shave ready and in my opinion felt like a much better quality piece of kit.
Click to expand...
Out of interest, is there any upside/downside to buying vintage vs. new? provided you don't mistreat the razor, the warranty for a new would be someone pointless wouldn't it?

nathan1983 said:
bought one from that place in Chermside (johnnys or something) for about $30 leather/linen that did me for a bit
Click to expand...

Hmmm, may have to have a hunt around Chermside next time i'm anywhere near there - that or just buy a cheapie off ebay.
 
iain said:
Out of interest, is there any upside/downside to buying vintage vs. new? provided you don't mistreat the razor, the warranty for a new would be someone pointless wouldn't it?
Click to expand...

so I am sure there are many opinions on the matter but I have 2 new straight razors, the one I bought and one I inherited from a mate who decided it wasn't for him and I feel that the vintage razors have a better quality steel they just seem to shave better. I am no good at honing yet so I am sure that some of the guys might be able to chime in on the difference between old and new behavior on the stones
 
Hi. Welcome. I'm just starting to use my birthday razor as well, so I'm keen to listen in on all the Q&A you have.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
iain said:
Tossing up between getting something cheap to start with as i'm likely to cut it as i'm a beginner, or getting something mid-range incase I don't cut it...
Click to expand...

Cheap - you will quickly see why when you zig when you shoulda zagged with that ultra sharp bit of steel. A cheap strop will still cause a grown man to cry when he slices it [don't ask] but the trauma when you slice your brand new roo strop because you lost concentration - well that is a whole nuther level of grown man whimpering in the corner of a darkened room.

And yes welcome :)
 
Welcome mate!

iain said:
Out of interest, is there any upside/downside to buying vintage vs. new? provided you don't mistreat the razor, the warranty for a new would be someone pointless wouldn't it?
Click to expand...

nathan1983 said:
I feel that the vintage razors have a better quality steel they just seem to shave better.
Click to expand...

This. Most vintage razors have a better quality steel. They also can be bought cheaper and come with character. [emoji6] They are a lot more unique as well.

But once you're in and hooked, then the world opens up for you. There a plenty of custom straights being made locally here in Oz. Or you can re-scale an old blade with plexiglass or wooden scales. Basically however you want it customised...

Don't be surprised at how small a "cheap" strop is on eBay... just like a belt really. But it's enough to cut your teeth on until you slash it and need another as baldy said.

You're best off meeting a local face to face and seeing his str8s in person. You'll also be able to ask Q's and get advice for technique. Plenty of local Str8 shooters in BrisVegas even if you're closer to the Bay...
 
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