Thread: First shave with SR after Shavette

With practice you will be able to match your Shavette results with your straight razor. As straight razors are not as sharp as shavettes, you will need to learn how to finesse the most out of your straight. It takes time. I think it is worth the effort, you're less likely to cut yourself with a straight, the straight is gentler on the skin (for me), giving a more comfortable overall shave - and let's face it - a straight razor just looks cooler.

But, you'll need patience, these benefits will not come overnight. There's lots of good information here to help you find techniques that will work for you in trying to get the most from your straight razor. Try to enjoy the journey.

I haven't used a shavette but know you can get away with a much greater variable in angle without issues. For a straight about 1 spine width between the skin and inside edge of the razors spine is about right. Angle, stroke direction and stretching will play a huge part of successful straight use.

I use both. Shavette mainly for travel but also for my head because shaving my head dulls the SR too fast for me. You can get away with a wider range of angle with the shavette so you may not have really learned the correct angle yet. I prefer the SR over the shavette and can get just as close of a shave with the SR and the SR is more comfortable. If you have been getting good results with the shavette, work on the angle of the SR. Eventually you will be able to feel and hear the angle on the SR.

Today I shaved again with the SR, second time.

I stropped, 20 time linen side and 50 times leather side. Nice and easy.

I can notice that the SR is much less aggressive to my skin than the Shavette. I was careful with my angle.

The shave was not as close as the one with the Shavette but better than the first time. As a matter of fact I did a fourth pass with the shavett in order to get a smooth shave.

Maybe the SR is not sharp enough and my technique is certainly not there.

I am reassured to read that with proper technique I can expect SR shave as closed as the ones with the shavette.

Thanks again for the replays.

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Hello Everybody;

So I just got my new Dovo Best Quality 6/8 professionally honed and I must say that I am desapointed about my first shave with it. I have been shaving for 30 days with a shavette with great results and I find the the Dovo gives a much worst shave.

Is this normal? Will the shave be comparable to the one of the shavette as my technique improves?

Thanks

Every razor shaves differently. I have eleven and each one behaves differently. One is full hollow, another quarter hollow, another is 5/8, another 8/8, one square point, another round. I can't hold each razor to the same standard in shave quality, because I don't fully appreciate a full hollow blade, I prefer a quarter hollow. The reason, I've spent more time learning the traits and technique of a quarter hollow. Square points require me to slow down or look like Edward Scissorhands got ahold of me. But, when I slow down and pay attention I still get a close shave.

So, it's probably more technique than it is the razor. You have to learn each razor.

The shavette just felt wrong when I used it for the first three months of wet shaving. The blade was always sharp and the angle was not as critical but a straight just feels solid. Technique comes into play a lot more and you need to take it easy at the start. I enjoyed having a larger edge to play with than the shavette when I made the change. It is just technique, your primary concern is to keep the edge shave ready (go slowly and precisely), worry about the angles a bit and relax on the rest as it will become natural very soon. I am asuming that you can build a decent lather by now. The fun part at the beginning is experimenting and finding out what works for you.

Originally Posted by TaipeiJake

As straight razors are not as sharp as shavettes.

If a straight razor is not as sharp as a shavette it is not properly honed, stropped or used. It may also have subpar, steel or heat treat.
Only reasons I can think of.

Hello Everybody;

Right now I am stropping 100 passes and doing the hanging hair test (thin hair). I have done it 3 times and it now cut the hair 1 time out of 3 in the air. I will probably use chrome oxide on balsa wood to get the blade close to the shavette.

Tomorrow I ll shave again and lets see.

Do you think that I am overdoing it or this is the right way to do it?

Thanks

So here is an update about my shaving. Just did my third SR saving and the results are promising. I must say that I am not far from the results I had with the shavette.

I am paying close attention to my angle and now I do short but decisive movements. That seems to do the trick. With the shavette I don´t need to do this, I can do slower movements.

I can see how the technique if different as you all said.

Thanks.

you never said who honed the razor ? but I use a feather disposable for travel so they are sharp ,, but more so than my straights? not so , if they are honed right they will be as sharp and much smoother. so technique is more than likely the issue ,, your expecting to much from a beginners standpoint ,, relax , slow down and take it slow,, good luck tc