Thread: First shave(kind of)...

I got tired of buying cartridges only to have buy more, so I decided to look into straight razor shaving.

I decided to start off with a Dovo shavette. I figured I won't have to worry about stropping until after I get the motor muscle memory down. That way in the future when I have a straight razor I will be able to discern if it's my shaving technique or my stropping that's causing any issues that arise.

Started off with my right hand(dominant). Went down the side burn, felt comfortable to do the rest of the cheek and below the jawline. I switched over to my left hand and left side of my face. Did the side burn and cheek down to the jawline. Started feeling uncomfortable when trying to angle it for below the jawline, so I stopped and finished the rest of my face with a Mach three.

I experimented on my forearm, a couple of days ago to get a feel for the angle I need to hold it at.

I look forward to doing it again and getting better.

Slow and steady fredly, that's what's going to win you the race. Sounds like that's what you're doing, so keep up the good work and welcome the fold.


Mick

Your maiden voyage was more bloodless than mine. There's a reason I'm pinklather. If you live in an area with forum members, you may want to hook up with them. The opportunity for tutoring and trying other gear can save a fair amount of blood, trading effort and dollars. I let others try my blades, soaps, brushes so they can get a feel for a product without having to spend alot learning what they like and don't like.

Enjoy the journey. 'Good to have you.

Hello, Fredly:

Congratulations on your decision to become a gentleman shaver.

Remember, the best way to hone your skill with the straight razor is to:
1. Throw the clock away.
2. Be methodical in your learning process.
3. A little bit at a time is an excellent idea.
4. Wet shaving with the straight razor calls for patience. If you don't have it, try developing it.
5. Keep your focus at all times and don't take your eye off the razor.
6. When you feel you're ready, obtain a regular straight razor and strop.
7. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. Everyone will try to help you.
8. We're delighted to have you share our world.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Fredly:

Congratulations on your decision to become a gentleman shaver.

Remember, the best way to hone your skill with the straight razor is to:
1. Throw the clock away.
2. Be methodical in your learning process.
3. A little bit at a time is an excellent idea.
4. Wet shaving with the straight razor calls for patience. If you don't have it, try developing it.
5. Keep your focus at all times and don't take your eye off the razor.
6. When you feel you're ready, obtain a regular straight razor and strop.
7. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. Everyone will try to help you.
8. We're delighted to have you share our world.

Regards,
Obie

+1 . I would listen this this man. Words of wisdom .

Originally Posted by fredly

I decided to start off with a Dovo shavette. I figured I won't have to worry about stropping until after I get the motor muscle memory down. That way in the future when I have a straight razor I will be able to discern if it's my shaving technique or my stropping that's causing any issues that arise.

I'm confused. Are you planning on not stropping for awhile? A razor needs to be stropped before every use, except maybe for the first one and even then only if the person who honed it also stropped it (not always the case).

Originally Posted by markevens

I'm confused. Are you planning on not stropping for awhile? A razor needs to be stropped before every use, except maybe for the first one and even then only if the person who honed it also stropped it (not always the case).

I believe what fredly is saying, is that he wants to get his shaving technique down so that when it comes to using a 'proper' straight, that technique will be a minor factor in the sceme of things. That if anything, his issue will lie in stropping and not shving technique.

Just be aware, fredly, that there are apparently issues in the transition from Shavette to Cutthroat razor. Not having used a Shavette, I can't speak from experience, just from what I've read here.


Mick

There is a bit of a difference. Given I just started myself and bought a proper SR recently. But I shaved with a shavette for a month before I decided to take the plunge. Now my razor is a full hollow and after my first shave the angle the shavette taught me vs the angle of the full hollow are quite a bit different. The shave helps. But even I'm still trying to figure outthe angle on my new SR.