Australian supplies, materials, vendors compendium.

[Legion]

Let's use this section to collect some recommendations for local resources. A lot of us are forced to import stuff from overseas a lot of the time, but I sometimes think that is because the local blokes are a bit of a secret, or at least have no exposure.

Let's try to keep it relevant, and suggest resources you have had good experience with. Let's not use the section to shill your mates car detailing business, if you know what I mean.

 

[Legion]

I lived in Melbourne for many years, so I know a few there.

One shop I know of that sells hones is The Vintage Tool Shop. They usually have a few. Slightly pricey, and often in "found" condition (you might have to do the lapping, etc yourself), but their stones are usually identified, which is more that you usually get buying it off a rando on ebay.

Collections

Selling and buying user grade and collectors grade antique vintage hand tools in Melbourne Australia since 2012. Premium quality hand sharpened sharp tenon dovetail saws. Locally made Heritage Saws. We sell woodworking woodworkers carpenters cabinetmakers carpentry old hand tools. Planes chisels...

vintagetoolshop.com.au

 

[Legion]

If you want to have a crack at making your own strops, I used to buy a lot of stuff off Leffler leather. They have a online store, but if you can visit they have a whopping big warehouse full of interesting things. I used to live walking distance away, so would pop down and see what strange offcuts they might have on discount, which would not be listed online.

https://www.leffler.com.au/

 

[Legion]

Men's Biz in the Melbourne CBD (Royal Arcade) was always a good lunchtime distraction. I believe they also have other shops around the place now.

NOAH Barber in Docklands Melbourne Collins Square

Barber in Collins Square, Melbourne Docklands. Previously MEN'S BIZ.

mensbiz.com.au

 

[Manye]

I use Oz Barber and Beard & Blade. Good for general shaving supplies. I’ve used Style & Swagger too for the same.

 

[ajkel64]

Don’t forget The Stray Whisker at Leura in the Blue Mountains. Beard and Blade are great to deal with as mentioned by @Manye. Style and Swagger are good as well.

 

[Lil Cooties]

Online:
-Blade.net.au: Wide range of products (blades, soap, brushes, razors etc)
-Artisan Arcade: Official retailer of Stirling soaps
-Beard and Blade

For brick and mortar stores in Melbourne:
-Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick: range of Proraso products for cheaper than other retailers
-Turnleys in Fitzroy: Omega brushes, Pinaud products, Wavol Bay Rum, Oriental shaving cream, liquid styptic, Feather Custom shavette, some razor blades
-Men's Biz: Merkur razors, blades, Tabac soaps, more variety online though
-Natio also has a list of retailers who might carry their aftershave balm

 

[Legion]

Online:
-Blade.net.au: Wide range of products (blades, soap, brushes, razors etc)
-Artisan Arcade: Official retailer of Stirling soaps
-Beard and Blade

For brick and mortar stores in Melbourne:
-Mediterranean Wholesalers in Brunswick: range of Proraso products for cheaper than other retailers
-Turnleys in Fitzroy: Omega brushes, Pinaud products, Wavol Bay Rum, Oriental shaving cream, liquid styptic, Feather Custom shavette, some razor blades
-Men's Biz: Merkur razors, blades, Tabac soaps, more variety online though
-Natio also has a list of retailers who might carry their aftershave balm

Oh yeah, I forgot Turnleys. Bought a big bottle of Clubmen there one time. Was about the only place I could find it.

I remember several Italian barbers in Carlton stocking Prorasso, if that is handy.

 

[Tomo]

Let’s not forget the Truefitt & Hill boutique in the Melbourne Royal Arcade. A stones throw from Men’s Biz.

 

[Legion]

Let’s not forget the Truefitt & Hill boutique in the Melbourne Royal Arcade. A stones throw from Men’s Biz.

How long has that been there?

 

[Tomo]

How long has that been there?

Probably one or two years. I went when they first opened and they gave me a bunch of samples. It’s a really nice store and they have the full range of soaps, creams, brushes and aftershaves. It would be good for people to support it.

 

[Tomo]

Zanvak is a good resource for honing equipment.

 

[Legion]

I got some of my first hones (a king 800 and a Cnat) from Carbatec.

Carbatec - The Home of Woodworking

www.carbatec.com.au

 

[bernie01]

vshod.com have moved their website to blade.net.au and give great service. They used to post for free but I believe started charging recently. I used to buy Fine Accoutrements after shave from them but after customs confiscated a large shipment they can't get it for the time being. If anyone knows another source please advise! I get Saponificio Varesino soaps from them and find they are excellent soaps for straight shaving; have tried Opuntia and Cubebe so far (a puck lasts me 12 months, shaving every second day). Osma alum blocks too. The website is still a bit clunky and amateurish but gets the job done.

 

[Wal59]

For Australian shaving soaps Stuga i

shave soap Archives

stuga.com.au

and Whispers from the Woods

Whispers from The Woods

Whispers From The Woods

whispersfromthewoods.com.au

I enjoy the soaps for their lather but also their scents. The triple scented from Stuga are excellent to my nose.

 

[Tomo]

I got some of my first hones (a king 800 and a Cnat) from Carbatec.

Carbatec - The Home of Woodworking

www.carbatec.com.au

I got my granite surface plate from there.

 

[dmshaver]

I purchased a Mondial boar brush a few years ago from Executive Shaving in Australia. I found it odd that the only place I could find an Italian-made brush was in Australia.

 

[ajkel64]

Catch of the Day can have some deals going. Prices can vary somewhat but I have bought a bit of stuff of them and sometimes you can get free postage. Also Shavershop have a fair bit of gear as well.

 

[Peter Mount]

My nearest Shavershop has run out of Proraso green aftershave. I’m in Melbourne. I understand Myers has some in stock. Is it just a problem with supply? Is it still being made?

 

[ajkel64]

I really don’t know at this stage @Peter Mount. I am about due to resupply my Proraso Soap so I will have a look around. You could try Catch of the Day. They had some Proraso Aftershaves a little while ago but it may not have been the Green.