I am not really a lurker. Every time I searched for anything shaving related in Google I would somehow end up here so I thought it was about time I joined!
I live down here in New Zealand. It seems to be the back or beyond when it comes to decent shaving gear but I do my best. Part of my aim in joining is seeing if there are any other kiwis who might point me in the right direction when ti comes to obtaining supplies locally.
I was originally a electric shaver guy way back when. I then proceeded onto the disposables and canned foam and eventually worked my way up to the Mach 3. For a while I played around with a brush (boar) and lathering with that and I guess I just liked the feel of it. I remember hunting about a little for a real Badger brush but at the time I wasn't looking in the right places. I didn't finally get one until a trip to NYC in 2006 when I hunted about and found one at a Crabtree and Evelyn shop. Later I discovered they actually have a store here in Auckland!
The decent brush and Mach 3 kind of worked OK but I always thought there must be a better way. I vaguely knew of wet shaving then and that people still used DEs and straights but I hadn't really looked into it.
Then I remember seeing an advert on TV (watching TV - another bad habit I no longer have) for the new Gillette razor. The Fusion I guess it is. Wow! Five blades on one side and one on the other! That's f-ing ridiculous I thought! Excuse my language but that is what I thought. I had an epiphany I guess. At that point I knew it was all a con and there must be a better way. I think it was the whole "single blade on the back" thing. I remember thinking well if a single blade is so damn good why not use a single blade all the time!
So my journey into real shaving began. I first had to get a razor. Not so easy around here. Auckland has one specialist shaving shop that I know of and their selection is somewhat small. http://www.shavershop.co.nz/wet_shaving.shtml
I ended up searching the net and ended up reading posts on here on more than one occasion. In the end I decided to get a Mekur Hefty Classic razor. That seemed a good place to start. I eventually ordered one from ClassicShaving.com and they were great to deal with and shipped to New Zealand no problem.
And I found it to be great! I don't remember any issues moving from the Mach 3 to the DE. A few small nicks here and there perhaps, maybe a little irritation at first but generally it went well. Next I had to upgrade my soaps. No more foam in a can for me!
Since I now knew of the existence of C&E locally I went there first and got one of their soaps in a wooden bowl. Finally I was doing everything properly and the results were great. I get much better shaves than I ever did with the Mach 3. The experience is far more enjoyable and relaxing now. I like the routine in the mornings!
Generally I get up. Eventually get into the shower and soak my face. In the mean time my brush soaks in hot water in my coffee cup shave mug (which works well). By the time my shower is over my face is well prepared for shaving. While I lather up I wrap a hot towel around my face just to keep things nice and warm. To finish I use an alum block (I had to get from the states) and I find that is a great way to tell how good a shave I had. And the shave is usually the most relaxing and best way to start the day.
I think now though the 'sickness' is setting in. Now here I am checking out posts to find out the latest in shave news. I really want to try different razors, soaps and blades.
Soaps here are a problem. Again it is very limited what I can get. I really, really wanted to try Trumpers. They have one stockist in New Zealand. That's in Christchurch. And they didn't have the actual one I want (the Violet). Trumpers did send me one of their sample packs though and sent that out from the UK. Lovely stuff. Will have to order some. On a recent trip to Sydney I thought great, my chance to find something decent but also over there it seems much the same as here. Very limited choice. I have over time got some Proraso, the C&E, Col. Conk and some plain Comoy I think it is. I could order some Trumpers from the place down south I think but I suspect their prices to buy it locally and have it shipped to me will be more expensive than buying it from overseas (with shipping). Perhaps someone on here knows of other suppliers in NZ?
Similarly with blades and razors. Very limited. The shaver shop here does have Feather and Astra DE blades. I prefer the Astra platinums which work well for me. I did decide in a moment of madness to try something like straight shaving so I bought myself a Feather Artist Club (with super pro blades - hey if you going to do it go all the way). Now that's a tricky piece of kit. More than a few drops of blood spilled with that! I really like using it but I don't think I have mastered the technique yet as I can never get as close a shave as with my DE. Mind you with the DE I can do a ATG pass no problem to finish up and get a totally smooth finish. To try that with the Artist Club would be to invite lacerations I think! Of course now I find myself thinking the Feather isn't a 'real' straight so perhaps I should give that a go. Again the sickness kicks in!
I find myself looking in old shops and the local Internet auction site trying to find old razors (nothing yet). I'd like to try a Feather Pro blade cut down in an injector. I desperately want to try new and exciting soaps and creams. Oh, one thing I did try in the last few days was something I saw on here. I made myself up a castor/olive oil pre-shave (with a few drops of lavender so the nice smell didn't make me feel like I am rubbing Castrol GTX on my face). I must say that worked brilliantly! My face is so much softer and the shaves are closer and remain that way for much longer. For the low amount it cost to try I would recommend it.
So that's where I am at today. I mentioned to a work colleague I was joining a new forum about shaving and she said "what is there to know about shaving"? Little does she know!
Simon
P.S. Sorry for such a long first post. I must be getting carried away with the joy in finding like minded individuals to bond with!
I live down here in New Zealand. It seems to be the back or beyond when it comes to decent shaving gear but I do my best. Part of my aim in joining is seeing if there are any other kiwis who might point me in the right direction when ti comes to obtaining supplies locally.
I was originally a electric shaver guy way back when. I then proceeded onto the disposables and canned foam and eventually worked my way up to the Mach 3. For a while I played around with a brush (boar) and lathering with that and I guess I just liked the feel of it. I remember hunting about a little for a real Badger brush but at the time I wasn't looking in the right places. I didn't finally get one until a trip to NYC in 2006 when I hunted about and found one at a Crabtree and Evelyn shop. Later I discovered they actually have a store here in Auckland!
The decent brush and Mach 3 kind of worked OK but I always thought there must be a better way. I vaguely knew of wet shaving then and that people still used DEs and straights but I hadn't really looked into it.
Then I remember seeing an advert on TV (watching TV - another bad habit I no longer have) for the new Gillette razor. The Fusion I guess it is. Wow! Five blades on one side and one on the other! That's f-ing ridiculous I thought! Excuse my language but that is what I thought. I had an epiphany I guess. At that point I knew it was all a con and there must be a better way. I think it was the whole "single blade on the back" thing. I remember thinking well if a single blade is so damn good why not use a single blade all the time!
So my journey into real shaving began. I first had to get a razor. Not so easy around here. Auckland has one specialist shaving shop that I know of and their selection is somewhat small. http://www.shavershop.co.nz/wet_shaving.shtml
I ended up searching the net and ended up reading posts on here on more than one occasion. In the end I decided to get a Mekur Hefty Classic razor. That seemed a good place to start. I eventually ordered one from ClassicShaving.com and they were great to deal with and shipped to New Zealand no problem.
And I found it to be great! I don't remember any issues moving from the Mach 3 to the DE. A few small nicks here and there perhaps, maybe a little irritation at first but generally it went well. Next I had to upgrade my soaps. No more foam in a can for me!
Since I now knew of the existence of C&E locally I went there first and got one of their soaps in a wooden bowl. Finally I was doing everything properly and the results were great. I get much better shaves than I ever did with the Mach 3. The experience is far more enjoyable and relaxing now. I like the routine in the mornings!
Generally I get up. Eventually get into the shower and soak my face. In the mean time my brush soaks in hot water in my coffee cup shave mug (which works well). By the time my shower is over my face is well prepared for shaving. While I lather up I wrap a hot towel around my face just to keep things nice and warm. To finish I use an alum block (I had to get from the states) and I find that is a great way to tell how good a shave I had. And the shave is usually the most relaxing and best way to start the day.
I think now though the 'sickness' is setting in. Now here I am checking out posts to find out the latest in shave news. I really want to try different razors, soaps and blades.
Soaps here are a problem. Again it is very limited what I can get. I really, really wanted to try Trumpers. They have one stockist in New Zealand. That's in Christchurch. And they didn't have the actual one I want (the Violet). Trumpers did send me one of their sample packs though and sent that out from the UK. Lovely stuff. Will have to order some. On a recent trip to Sydney I thought great, my chance to find something decent but also over there it seems much the same as here. Very limited choice. I have over time got some Proraso, the C&E, Col. Conk and some plain Comoy I think it is. I could order some Trumpers from the place down south I think but I suspect their prices to buy it locally and have it shipped to me will be more expensive than buying it from overseas (with shipping). Perhaps someone on here knows of other suppliers in NZ?
Similarly with blades and razors. Very limited. The shaver shop here does have Feather and Astra DE blades. I prefer the Astra platinums which work well for me. I did decide in a moment of madness to try something like straight shaving so I bought myself a Feather Artist Club (with super pro blades - hey if you going to do it go all the way). Now that's a tricky piece of kit. More than a few drops of blood spilled with that! I really like using it but I don't think I have mastered the technique yet as I can never get as close a shave as with my DE. Mind you with the DE I can do a ATG pass no problem to finish up and get a totally smooth finish. To try that with the Artist Club would be to invite lacerations I think! Of course now I find myself thinking the Feather isn't a 'real' straight so perhaps I should give that a go. Again the sickness kicks in!
I find myself looking in old shops and the local Internet auction site trying to find old razors (nothing yet). I'd like to try a Feather Pro blade cut down in an injector. I desperately want to try new and exciting soaps and creams. Oh, one thing I did try in the last few days was something I saw on here. I made myself up a castor/olive oil pre-shave (with a few drops of lavender so the nice smell didn't make me feel like I am rubbing Castrol GTX on my face). I must say that worked brilliantly! My face is so much softer and the shaves are closer and remain that way for much longer. For the low amount it cost to try I would recommend it.
So that's where I am at today. I mentioned to a work colleague I was joining a new forum about shaving and she said "what is there to know about shaving"? Little does she know!
Simon
P.S. Sorry for such a long first post. I must be getting carried away with the joy in finding like minded individuals to bond with!
