Beginner Training with Shavette...

Hi,

I'm a straight razor enthusiast and I have tried straight razor shaving several years ago without any success, due I think to a lack of information that a site like this provides.

I have just ordered my first razor from eBay. Hopefully I will receive it next week. Assuming I will receive the razor in good shape, I know it will be a long way from being shave-ready.

For now I am practicing with a shavette. My question is, with the proper skill and technique with a straight razor, will I be able to get a shave as close as a Mach 3 can provide???

The reason why I am asking this is I know the double-sided blade used in the Shavette is, I assume, sharper (correct me if I am wrong) than a straight razor, but for some reason I can't seem to get it to shave as close as a Mach 3!!! I have no problem with the stubble on the side of my face, but when I tackle with the stubble on my upper lip, the blade keeps getting stuck. I tried different angle but still no luck. The Mach 3, even if I used it several times already, still managed to give me a close shave.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JJ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by banditpogi

Hi,

I'm a straight razor enthusiast and I have tried straight razor shaving several years ago without any success, due I think to a lack of information that a site like this provides.

I have just ordered my first razor from eBay. Hopefully I will receive it next week. Assuming I will receive the razor in good shape, I know it will be a long way from being shave-ready.

For now I am practicing with a shavette. My question is, with the proper skill and technique with a straight razor, will I be able to get a shave as close as a Mach 3 can provide???

The reason why I am asking this is I know the double-sided blade used in the Shavette is, I assume, sharper (correct me if I am wrong) than a straight razor, but for some reason I can't seem to get it to shave as close as a Mach 3!!! I have no problem with the stubble on the side of my face, but when I tackle with the stubble on my upper lip, the blade keeps getting stuck. I tried different angle but still no luck. The Mach 3, even if I used it several times already, still managed to give me a close shave.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JJ

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The key is different.

Each of us is different and as such different tools work
differently (better or worse) for each task.

I confess to be an inconsistent wet shaver. Some days this
some days that. Most days some of both. I have some
problem spots and when I am in a hurry rather than worry myself
I switch tools. Many days I begin with a str8 and tidy up the last
bit of my face, part of my chin and one jaw line with a DE.

Friday was interesting I was in a big hurry so I pulled the DE down.
As I took inventory to see if I was done I noticed big parts of my
neck and odd parts of my chin were ready for cleaning burnt oatmeal
from a pan. So I pulled down a sharp str8 and finished up getting
the best BBS shave I have had in months. Now that is bass ackward.

Tools are funny things. Worked with a siding guy that kept tossing
nails away. I asked why, he explained the head was on the wrong end.
I explained they were for the other side of the house, he had no clue.:confused:

So different but not the same.

Sounds like you just need more saddle time.
i.e. practice

Thanks for your reply Tom. I think I know exactly what you are trying to say.

JJ, Welcome to SRP!

Str8 shaving has a learning curve. Check out the Straight Razor Place Wiki. There is plenty of information that is useful. You may also be interested in this thread http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...beginners.html.

Good luck and be sure to ask any questions. The members here are extremely helpful.
:gl:

Lu

hi and welcome,
you say that you got your razor from ebay? is it going to be shave ready and what type of straight is it? there are a lot of terrible razors for sale on ebay. there are some of us that still get burned from ebay razors....let us know what you got...good luck

I tried a shave with a shavette type razor. It sucked. The angle for me was way different than that of a straight. In hopes to not learn a bad habit of poor angles, I ditched it and went for the real thing. No regrets.

I bought a J.A. HENCKELS,TWINWORKS,SOLINGEN,GERMANY,STRAIGHT RAZOR from eBay for $65. I have not yet received it. It is far from shave ready. I hope to buy a 1k, 4k & 8k hone soon. I think it needs restoration. Expect a lot of question from me soon :) Thanks for all the feedback.

Here is the link to eBay.

J.A. HENCKELS,TWINWORKS,SOLINGEN,GERMANY,STRAIGHT RAZOR - eBay (item 380194357155 end time Jan-05-10 02:38:43 PST)

I have been checking eBay for a few weeks, but as soon as I saw the photo of this Henckel I knew I am the rightful owner :) It was literally begging me to buy it. I just love old solid metallic stuff.

Any suggestion about my purchase?