1st razor help

I have just ordered my 1st true straight razor. I have been using a shavette for a couple of months and slowly getting the technique for that correct(ish).

My questions are.

Is there much difference in technique between a shavette and true straight?

I have a factory honed dove stainless razor. Is there any special treatments needed before shaving for the 1st time.

I found 1 time on this site a list of honemisters but I can't locate it now. Where is it or is there anyone in particular I should see in Australia, in particular South Australia

Cam, Getting a pro edge on that Dovo is a very good idea.
You might want to PM Onimaru55 to see if he would do the honors. I'm sure there are others capable, but that's where I'd go.

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Os(onimaru) is a good guy, very helpful, and certainly puts a good edge on. If he could put up with me I am sure you will have no trouble getting advice from him.

Got my new Dovo yesterday didn't shave with it this morning as both my boys (5 and 3) wanted to watch me shave so I didn't want any distractions with it. Have decided to try it to see how "shave ready" they come from the factory and compare that after getting it honed by some one like os

I will have to post a before and after honing post.

Cameron

Nice very interested to see if you luck out and get one that is shave ready. I just switched from using a Shavette to real straight. it will be interesting to compare experiences. I bought a used antique razor that came shave ready. What did you get for a strop?

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Originally Posted by monkeycam

I have just ordered my 1st true straight razor. I have been using a shavette for a couple of months and slowly getting the technique for that correct(ish).

My questions are.

Is there much difference in technique between a shavette and true straight?

I have a factory honed dove stainless razor. Is there any special treatments needed before shaving for the 1st time.

I found 1 time on this site a list of honemisters but I can't locate it now. Where is it or is there anyone in particular I should see in Australia, in particular South Australia

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Well, I can chip in on the first part; there's not much difference technique-wise with a shavette/true straight. You just need to be a bit more careful since Shavettes tend to be sharper and some say less forgiving than a straight (YMMV). Still, the way you hold a Shavette is really no different than the way you would hold a straight and the motions aren't much different either.

Happy shaving,

Natz

The before honing test shave.

Shave ready from the factory HA!

I decided to try and shave with a factory sharpened Dovo this morning, while it looks fantastically sharp and take some hair off my arm, I was not getting a close shave like with my shavette.

I must admit that the blade felt a lot more comfortable on my face and I am looking forward to having it honed correctly, so I can have the close shave and comfort all in one.

I know all the advice is to get it professionaly honed before using, but there is nothing like experience.

I feel for the people who have not experienced a sharp blade and try a factory honed straight as it would leave ALOT to be desired

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Muamero

What did you get for a strop?

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I got a Dovo leather /canvas strop 2 inch wide

Leather looks nice and I am assuming a good reputation for strops like their razors.

Nice man, How is your stropping coming along? I am excited to say that I can definitely see the difference between the sharpness after I just shaved with and after I strop it. I am still having hard time getting my chin clean shaved. Today I managed to to 3 passes on the cheek area. Chin, under neck seams to be different story though!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Muamero

Nice man, How is your stropping coming along? I am excited to say that I can definitely see the difference between the sharpness after I just shaved with and after I strop it. I am still having hard time getting my chin clean shaved. Today I managed to to 3 passes on the cheek area. Chin, under neck seams to be different story though!!

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dont stress, there are loads of threads about these areas, quite a few of us have trouble here.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

dont stress, there are loads of threads about these areas, quite a few of us have trouble here.

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Amen to that! The chin is one of the hardest areas of the face to shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by monkeycam

The before honing test shave.

Shave ready from the factory HA!

I decided to try and shave with a factory sharpened Dovo this morning, while it looks fantastically sharp and take some hair off my arm, I was not getting a close shave like with my shavette.

I must admit that the blade felt a lot more comfortable on my face and I am looking forward to having it honed correctly, so I can have the close shave and comfort all in one.

I know all the advice is to get it professionaly honed before using, but there is nothing like experience.

I feel for the people who have not experienced a sharp blade and try a factory honed straight as it would leave ALOT to be desired

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Well I got my razor back from Oz.

Having learnt with a shavette I am getting used to the weight of the blade.

As per advice from Oz I didn't strop the 1st time as it is already stropped

A couple of things I noticed.

The shave was not as close as with the shavette but I am assuming that is getting the angles correct. So it is back to square 1

The shave was more comfortable but as the blade is new to me I took some extra time to shave

I have decided to store the blade outside the bathroom as everyone else in my house tries to make the bathroom as humid as possible.

I look forward to learning to how use this new blade correctly

Taking a little extra time in the beginning will pay off big time later on. Now that you have a true shave ready blade angles will be your friend. Get it right and the whiskers just fall off your face. Enjoy the next shave.