Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Junior Member benious82's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Posts
    6
    Thanked: 0

    Default My First couple of Shaves

    I recently have purchased a Dovo Shavette to see if I will like to fully invest into straight razor shaving. I used a soap and brush kit that I got at my local Wal-mart and a styptic pen I found at my grocery store. Well first i know I got to get used to shaving but my face looks like I lost a fight to a cat. By shave 3 I have not cut myself as much but my skin is really irritable. I also have used an alcohol based after shave which feels good right after the shave, (besides the cuts) does anyone have any advice for a newbie?

    Thanks
    Ben

  2. #2
    all your razor are belong to us red96ta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Fresno, CA
    Posts
    1,368
    Thanked: 446

    Default

    Sounds like you need to ease up on that heavy hand of yours . When I started, I had the same problem...heavy handed pressure from twenty years of cartridge shaving. It wasn't until someone explained it like this; imagine the razor is a feather and you're gently touching it to your face like you're trying to tickle yourself. That's the kind of pressure you need.

    If I have a shave that isn't going my way, I lean on my witch hazel to help with the irritation and razor burn. You can get a large bottle at Target for under $3...after that dries down and gets some of the irritation knocked down, I move over to the alcohol aftershave.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to red96ta For This Useful Post:

    benious82 (06-17-2010)

  4. #3
    Senior Member ziggy925's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    325
    Thanked: 36

    Default

    Before I got started I thought long and hard about whether to get a straight with disposable blades or just go for it. After doing the math I decided to just go for it.

    IMHO I think a real straight shaves a little different than a shavette. You may find that going for it improves your experience and you'll have a razor that will last your forever. It is addictive once you start, and you can always sell it if you want out.

  5. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    49
    Thanked: 6

    Default

    Two things:
    1) if your face hurts, take a day off. No one will be the wiser, except your boss.
    2) I tried a shavette once or twice and was afraid to use it after a while. It just seemed flimsy.
    3) I am still a newbie so any advice is just from my limited experience.

    That's three things! DOH!

  6. #5
    Predictably Unpredictiable Mvcrash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Northern NJ
    Posts
    3,588
    Thanked: 1487

    Default

    It take a while to learn to use a straight razor. I think everyone goes through the same newbie period. I had a time when my face burned so badly after the shave I was ready to throw in the towel. Thanks to many members here I am still using the str8 and now even enjoy it tremedously.

    Give it time, hang in there and come here and look for advice.
    “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
    Albert Einstein

  7. #6
    Well Shaved Gentleman... jhenry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Indianapolis, IN
    Posts
    3,860
    Thanked: 3760

    Default

    Ben,

    ++1 on the previous advice. You needn't apply a lot of pressure to the blade to achieve a good shave. This is especially true of a shavette which, although it looks and shaves similar to a straight razor, is not a straight razor--in the strictest sense of the word.

    Let your face heal for a day or two, then try shaving again, using gentle pressure to remove your whiskers.

    Just my 2 cents.
    "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •