Thread: 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

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

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.

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.


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?