Thread: first few shaves

Today was the 3rd shave with my new Dovo ebony... So far ok... I start with the ebony and finish with Shavette. I seem to get a better shave with the Shavette for now..... but Im sure its just cause Ive been using it longer...

Well done! It's a good idea to go slowly and finish with the shavette or a DE. Over time, you will use the straight more and the shavette less. I also started with a Dovo and I realised after a while that my biggest problem was that the Dovo wasn't sharp enough. (May be why the shavette gives a better result?) You must be sure that you have a well honed edge. A lot of so called ex store 'shave ready' straights have not been honed well enough. If you are in any doubt send it off to be professionaly honed.

It was honed by Lynn Abrams so Im thinkin its good.... I think is cause the Shavette is just smaller and easier to see around.. I do strop it before i use it but Im not very proficient at stropping yet. I wish i did get a cheaper strop for practice. I had the same problem with the Shavette at first I just need to find the right angle on the straight razor as I did with the Shavette........ So if the Dovo wasnt sharp enough for ya what did find that was??... Im very willing to try anything new!... I think I ended up with Dovo cause I didnt know of any other brand

There is no problem with the Dovo. If it is honed and stropped well then it will work fine. If your stropping technique is not perfected you may be harming the edge when you strop. I still think you should send it to be professionally honed. The person who hones it will also strop it. When you get it back take it out of the mailbox and don't do anything to it - especially don't strop it. Just shave with it and then you will see what a good edge should be like.

Ok thanks!!... Ill send it back to Lynn for another honing

If you've only shaved 3 times, I doubt it needs to be rehoned.

Understand that getting a good shave with a straight is very relient on technique. Someone with good technique can get a good shave out of a less than perfectly sharp razor. Someone lacking solid technique won't get a good shave even if the razor is perfectly sharpened.

Even if you have read the wiki on using a straight and memorized it, your muscle memory will hold you back and you will still have sub par shaves. Just be patient, and focus on developing your technique. You will be getting great shaves before you know it.

Originally Posted by markevens

If you've only shaved 3 times, I doubt it needs to be rehoned.

Understand that getting a good shave with a straight is very relient on technique. Someone with good technique can get a good shave out of a less than perfectly sharp razor. Someone lacking solid technique won't get a good shave even if the razor is perfectly sharpened.

Even if you have read the wiki on using a straight and memorized it, your muscle memory will hold you back and you will still have sub par shaves. Just be patient, and focus on developing your technique. You will be getting great shaves before you know it.

Thanks Ill keep all theses words of wisdom in mind...... this is a whole lot like when i learned to weld.... Its a lot alike.. one wrong move and yer bummin

You have a few more shaves to go before making the adjustment and having a better judgment. Did you buy the Dovo shave ready (by a pro, I mean)?

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

You have a few more shaves to go before making the adjustment and having a better judgment. Did you buy the Dovo shave ready (by a pro, I mean)?

Ya I got it from VB and it was honed by Lynn Abrams

Originally Posted by coldcut

It was honed by Lynn Abrams so Im thinkin its good.... I think is cause the Shavette is just smaller and easier to see around.. I do strop it before i use it but Im not very proficient at stropping yet. I wish i did get a cheaper strop for practice. I had the same problem with the Shavette at first I just need to find the right angle on the straight razor as I did with the Shavette........ So if the Dovo wasnt sharp enough for ya what did find that was??... Im very willing to try anything new!... I think I ended up with Dovo cause I didnt know of any other brand

Just be mindful of your stropping. Go slow and make sure you don't use any pressure other than the weight of the blade. Most newbies, including myself, don't realize how important good stropping is to the ability of the razor to give a smooth shave. If it was honed by Lynn than your OK as long as you don't dull the edge by stropping. I am sure you will however eventually dull the blade. Don't forget to either send it back or touch it up yourself.
Takes a while but you'll get there!!

Enjoy.