Thread: First (and second) Shave!

So, I recently got a Dovo Shavette compliments of fleetwood!

It came in the mail, so did my TOBS Sandalwood Shaving Cream! I have a cheapo brush and a small mug like thing.

I went all around the shops and could not find a decent razor blade to put into the Shavette. I visited literally every single shop in the town and could not find any razors aside from the Wilkinson Sword 10 Pack, which at AU$13 seemed a bit steep compared to other brands I have seen online. (I was looking for Derby Extra's, any other suggestions would be welcome).

So I get home to get ready for the first shave. I notice that the blades are quite thin, less like metal and more like a thin plastic. I break one in two and attempt to put it into the Shavette. It is a little harder than I expected, but overall it was fine.

So I go to have a nice long shower and when I am done, I walk out of it to the basin. Now I live in the Dorms at uni so people enter and exit the bathroom while I am in it, and no less than 3 people stopped to admire what I was doing. Generally they thought it was pointless, but all of them thought it was cool.

I lathered up my face (cheeks and neck only, I was going for a nice goatee), picked up the blade and paused for a minute to wonder how long it would take for someone to find me in the event that I slit my jugular. Then with the lightest touch possible, I took the exposed blade to my face and entered heaven. Seriously. I was dragging an open blade to my face with only a thin layer of lathered cream between them. I only went WTG this time and it was not that close.

I ended with a Calvin Klein After Shave Balm that I borrowed off my friend (amazing, I will actually invest in some soon).

I needed to redo some areas, and generally I did a terrible job. I could measure the hairs length! BUT I have to say it was the best shave solely due to the fact that I got next to zero irritation.

In the past, shaving meant that I was red and sore for 3 days, by the time the redness went away the hair would grow back to the extent that I might as well had not shaved. Due to this I have always shied away from shaving, choosing the electric route. This in turn gave me some ingrowns and was relatively uncomfortable so I then switched to electric trimmers. I have lived life with stubble ever since, until now!

Later that day, I decided to go at it again for increased smoothness. I did it again, with a steadier hand and an ATG pass, and got much better results. Still no where near BBS but it is a start on this journey!

Things I have noticed:

- I take way too long and the lather will cool about 3/4 the way through the shave.

- The Shavette seems to catch or something. I occasionally see hairs that are stuck inside the Shavette and need to either pull them out manually or take the shaver apart and rinse with water. This may be due to the Shavette, the blades or my inexperience, I do not know.

- I hate the fact that my hands get in the way of me shaving. This may sound weird, but whenever I try to do something I inadvertently smack my nose or cover my eyes. This can be a real problem, causing me to approach the area from a different angle and therefore put either my comfort or the best possible shave at risk.

- The Shavette is an excellent tool that feels quite nice, the pivot point is quite tight, so tight that it can support the shaver, as in it will not close if I hold it from the base. I have held only one other razor (some American disposable blade razor), but it was very loose. Not in a broken sort of way, but as if the scales and the blade where meant to spin freely of one another. I don't know what is the correct style.

- After the shave I feel no irritation, however these short hairs cause a stinging sensation if I rub my hand ATG. It doesn't hurt, it is more uncomfortable on my face.

- Using the red cartridge for the Shavette comes with one downside. When I take a pass, occasionally it will remove the lather from parts of my face which have not yet been shaved, it is OK, but it would not happen using a real straight or maybe even the black cartridge (which takes longer blades that only Dovo make).

Thank you for reading this monstrous essay of a story.

A very special thank you to fleetwood, you made this all possible!

One more thing:

I did all of this with no cuts, but I did draw a little blood from around my throat area. I think it was because I screwed up the angle going over the unevenness of my throat!

Congratulations!

I'm in the same boat, so I can sympathize. I know more experienced members will chime in with some advice for you, but from one new guy to another, "Well done!"


Bruce

Welcome to the right way to shave! Time will solve your issues. I can't see everything all the time. You will learn to "feel" where the blade is when you can't see it. Develop your skills at a pace you comfortable with. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. Take your time, it's not a race. You face will appreciate it...

Thanks Bruce!

I am really getting into this stuff!

When my friend called me after my first shave and asked me "what's up?", I replied:

"Oh nothing, just waiting for my hair to grow back so I can shave again!

Thank you also dward. I will try to "feel" as you say when I can't see the blade. Here is to straight "real" razor shaving!

Originally Posted by Zelka

"Oh nothing, just waiting for my hair to grow back so I can shave again!

We've got another one! Welcome to SRP, the worlds capital of Gentlemanly pursuits!

Welcome aboard Zelka!
You're on the right track. You know you're hooked when you shave in the AM and can't wait for that next shave! May the Force be with you!
Namaste,
Morty -_-

Thanks guys!