Straight razor use in Australia

[Crowbar]

I've been considering buying one of these sometime. Problem is, I have often noticed that the websites say they will need to be professionally honed and sharpened before use (and I guess now and then when needed after that?)

So does anyone here from Australia use them? where is a good place to buy them and what about maintenance?

"ShaverShop" has them for sale so I paid them a visit. The shop I went to had one Edwin Jagger and one Dovo but the sales people didn't know anyone with the knowledge to sharpen them.

Also, they said something I simply hadn't thought of. They were up high behind the counter in a locked case and they informed me that if I purchased one,  I would have to go through a process of registering it with the police as a licenced weapon and pay any ongoing costs associated with that  

[Bluebriz]

If you go and take a look at (or even better, sign up as a member to) www.badgerandblade.com you will find specialist straight razor forums, for beginners, honers, experts etc etc.  I'm 100% certain that there are straight shavers among the members there who would be happy to point you in the right direction.

Another option to avoid the need for honing and stropping is to try out a shavette such as the Parker SR1 (or other SR models), which uses DE blades broken in half, or the CJB (cheap versions of Feather or Kai razors) or Feather or Kai razors which use special disposable blades.

There are a lot of options, but really the B&B website I mentioned above is a mine of information, as well as being populated by very nice guys.

(feel free to PM me if you want to though, my experience is very limited compared to some people but I'll help if I can)

[Crowbar]

Thanks heaps for your advice Bluebriz, I will definitely have a look at that site and I will look up the razors you mentioned

So do you use a SR a lot nowadays? Or Shavette? or both?

[Bluebriz]

I have some proper straights, which I've used from time to time when someone has honed them for me, but never over a period of time.

I've used a super cheap shavette which cost me about 4 British pounds on ebay.  Sanguine cool cut or something like that.  Took a few weeks to learn but gave great shaves.  Then a Parker SR1 for a similar period with the same results.
I've tried Feather SS non-folding and RG non folding.  I kept the RG and sold the SS, but both great razors.
I've tried Kai Captain standard folding and Kai Captain Excelia folding, and love them both so have kept both.
I've also tried CJB non folding which is a Feather copy from Korea.  Does a good job, but noticeably lower quality finish than Feather or Kai.
Feather, Kai, Dorco and I think CJB also make various blades for the Feather, Kai and CJB razors.
My personal favourites are the Kai razors and the RG Feather, but none of those are cheap models!

[Bluebriz]

Hey Crowbar,
Did you make any moves towards getting a straight or shavette razor?  I'd love to hear what you've decided.