Hi. I am a complete newbie with a few questions I would like to throw out there.

On the recommendation of the gentleman at the barber supply store I purchased a shavette first in order to get the feel for a straight razor before I invested more money. I've been using it for more than a month and while I get a very close shave I continue cutting myself almost every time. I do have a couple of scars that run just under my jaw line and they bleed with regularity but I also get some other small cuts where I think I'm doing everything right. Judging from the guides I've read online I think my technique is decent. It seems like part of the problem is that the blades dull so quickly that I have to change the pressure everyday to account for the change so I'm starting to press by the time I change to a fresh blade. I saw another post where someone said they cut themselves more with their shavette than they ever did with their straight and I was wondering if that's common.

What do you think?

Could I be right about the dulling blade leading to cuts or is my techniques off?

Do people typically cut themselves more with a shavette than a straight?

Is a shavette a good first step or should I have started with the straight?

Also, does anybody shave their head with a straight?

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers and to everyone on this forum for posting such great information. I never thought I would look forward to shaving in the mornings but I really enjoy it (blood and all).

I'm out of town for a few days so don't think I'm rude if I don't respond to any posts until next week. Thanks again.