After 6 weeks of shaving with the shavette, I have noticed my improvements as I practice more and pay attention to things more overlooked such as skin stretchiing. I consistently get BBS on my cheeks and CCS/DFS on my chin areas and CCS on the moustache. i still have problems going ATG on the moustache area. Even doing my very best lathering and skin stretching, my shavette drags horribly doing an ATG pass. Just today, I got DFS on my chin...all without going to my cartridge razor for final touch up!

At this point, both in my practical experiences and by reading the posts here at SRP, I wonder if my shavette itself is beginning to limit me? As previously mentioned, I am using a cheap Magic shavette and Derby SE blades. The Magic has very little heft to it and there is some mild flex from the tang in the ultra light and cheap scales. Also, I've read that the Derby blades, while mild, sometimes can be inconsistent in quality. I've noticed that as well. Eliminating any other variable such as angle, pressure, lathering, etc, one blade can seem just right while another seems duller than a Bic single blade disposable. Today was one of the latter. While I got BBS on my chin as usual, it did not last the full day. After 12 hours, are now at DFS. My last couple shaves remained BBS for well past 15. I shaved at 8am and was still BBS when I went to bed at 11pm that night. If only I had some Astras, Gilette 7oclock yellows, or (gasp) even Feathers available locally.

If I have one bad habit, it is being way too obsessed with BBS at times. Certain areas on my right cheek just seems be be a bitfussy even after WTG, XTG, and ATG passes. I think that may need more detail to skin stretching but I think I have got that under control. At this point, I get my best shave using WTG, ATG, and then a final touch up in the problem spots. I get good traction so I know I am pulling tightly. So again, I wonder if it is the blade? However, I said I was obsessed with BBS on my cheeks. I will find myself making over 4 passes, sometimes as much as 6, in those trouble spots just to get my entire cheek BBS! That's not bad technique; that's being bullheaded! When I make more than 4, I begin to get razor burn in those areas. So, I just have to learn that if I cannot get it done in 4 passes (I dont get burn in 4 passes) in those problem areas that are no bigger than a quarter, put the shavette down and finish up with the cartridge if need be. Thankfully, bullheadednessi relatively easy to correct.

So in a little over a month when I move to a real SR, I feel I will be able to do better. With a coarse beard, I feel the added heft of a good SR will help be get a better shave if I do my part with stropping, face prep, etc.

Regardless, I am happy at my progress since my first shave on Oct 15 of this year. My disappointments and goofs do not discourage me. Rather they motivate me to examine them and look for ways to improve. And I look forward to seeing my progress as I improve. After all, SR shaving has made my actually enjoy my morning shave.