Thread: A word of caution for beginners starting with a shavette for the first time

I started with a feather DX after DE shaving for 2 months. I used the pro blades. First day was a disaster, it felt like a nightmare, I started off so confidently cut myself twice, two of the worst cuts ever from shaving, the lather was drying up, barely half way into my first pass I quit for that day and finished up with a DE. 13 shaves in now and was free from DE on shave 12, I do 2 passes WTG with both hands and a clean up pass with my right hand only. Left hand improving slowly. Shaves are slowly getting better. In 13 shaves I had 3 cuts and 2 or 3 weepers.

IMO with the feather DX any mistake and you will pay for it in blood, if there are easier ways to begin I would go with that. I felt like I'm taking the long way and I'm not even half way there yet. The ATG (south-north) pass seems impossible without cuts at this moment. I have some proguard blades on the way (which I've read mixed reviews on) I'm hope they can help.

I grabbed a Parker Shavette off the shelf at a local drugstore...figured I'd heard about them and thought I'd give it a try...wow...used it several times, but it was just no fun using it, constantly feeling like I was on the verge of slicing my face off....very unforgiving thing...I have one straight razor that acts like a shavette...a Double Duck Goldedge...the blade is paper thin...turn it face on and the blade disappears haha...I've never seen a razor that thinly ground, and one mistake...you bleed. IMO, that's no way to enjoy this sport...

I wouldn't consider the Feather in the same class as ordinary cheap shavettes. With a light touch (and that's all it needs) my SS can give a wonderful shave and I rarely nick myself, even using Pro blades. Cheap shavettes, no matter which blade I've tried are almost guaranteed remove some skin along the way and I've had some of my worst cuts ever in the past.
They tend to sit in my 'spare gear' drawer and I rarely risk them nowadays unless I'm feeling particularly reckless!

Originally Posted by Smithismund

I wouldn't consider the Feather in the same class as ordinary cheap shavettes. With a light touch (and that's all it needs) my SS can give a wonderful shave and I rarely nick myself, even using Pro blades. Cheap shavettes, no matter which blade I've tried are almost guaranteed remove some skin along the way and I've had some of my worst cuts ever in the past.
They tend to sit in my 'spare gear' drawer and I rarely risk them nowadays unless I'm feeling particularly reckless!

Hmmm maybe SS with proguards good for beginners?? I wouldn't recommend DX with pro blades, I see can how it can put people off every easily.

Originally Posted by RedGladiator

Hmmm maybe SS with proguards good for beginners?? I wouldn't recommend DX with pro blades, I can how it can put people off every easily.

I've heard good things about Proguards though I've not tried them myself. A well honed straight would be easier to begin with than a shavette IMO, much less likely to bite. I suspect most of us started off by removing rather more than just beard on occasion, but shavettes definitely increase your risk if you aren't very, very careful!

Originally Posted by Smithismund

I've heard good things about Proguards though I've not tried them myself. A well honed straight would be easier to begin with than a shavette IMO, much less likely to bite. I suspect most of us started off by removing rather more than just beard on occasion, but shavettes definitely increase your risk if you aren't very, very careful!

The Feather DX can be very unforgiving and requires close attention to shaving angle and pressure, as it takes little pressure to cut oneself.

As it is less forgiving than a straight (and more expensive than most), I don't consider it a good training tool for straight shaving beginners.


I also don't believe in the concept of stringing a wire in front of a blade and then trying to shave with it. Hence I never seriously considered the Proguard blade.

If someone wanted to try a less aggressive blade I would instead suggest the Light blade that has slightly less blade exposure, but is otherwise identical to the Pro blade.

Personally, I have always shaved with Pro blades and see no reason to change that.
I shave with my usual WTG, XTG and ATG passes, plus any touch-up at the corner of my jawline. As shaving prep for the razor is minimal, it has become my standard razor when travelling.


In summary, once the user has become proficient with this razor the Feather DX is a pleasure to use and gives close and comfortable BBS shaves.


B.

Originally Posted by beluga

The Feather DX can be very unforgiving and requires close attention to shaving angle and pressure, as it takes little pressure to cut oneself.

As it is less forgiving than a straight (and more expensive than most), I don't consider it a good training tool for straight shaving beginners.


I also don't believe in the concept of stringing a wire in front of a blade and then trying to shave with it. Hence I never seriously considered the Proguard blade.

If someone wanted to try a less aggressive blade I would instead suggest the Light blade that has slightly less blade exposure, but is otherwise identical to the Pro blade.

Personally, I have always shaved with Pro blades and see no reason to change that.
I shave with my usual WTG, XTG and ATG passes, plus any touch-up at the corner of my jawline. As shaving prep for the razor is minimal, it has become my standard razor when travelling.


In summary, once the user has become proficient with this razor the Feather DX is a pleasure to use and gives close and comfortable BBS shaves.


B.

+3 to all of this.