Thread: Should I give it a rest?

Agreed. Rest for a few. I had to this week myself.

I've been shaving with a shavette style for just over a month now (I use a Parker SRW). I've experimented with three different brands of blades...Shark, Derby, and 7AM double edge (breaking in half to use).

I'm really sold on this style of shaving, but I had a few nicks that simply needed to heal. It bugged the crap out of me going to work without shaving, but I didn't shave from Monday through Thursday evening. Best decision I could have made. I went back in and took my time shaving with a brand new Derby blade (one of the best blades, from what I've read and they are incredibly sharp in my limited experience with straights). I carefully went over where the nicks had healed with no trouble. I was able to get BBS easier than I ever had before. Even though I love to shave now, I will have to remember to let things heal up occasionally.

Also...for what it's worth...I personally have no plans to switch to a "regular" straight from my Parker SRW. I'm not patient enough to strop and hone, and too cheap to buy a quality "real" straight. However, I get much, much better shaves with the Parker.

Honestly, I got into this to save money as I was tired to paying Gillette's prices on their cartridges and I gave up on using an electric years back (although I still have that old Remington in the drawer around here somewhere). I got my Parker and two boxes of refills for under $30.

Best of luck!

Goatee.

I found that the Dovo blades for the black holder to work the best in the Shavette... I did buy a mid priced Dovo SR got it about a week ago and still havent gotten a better shave from it then the Shavette with the Dovo blades..... And yes the SR was "shave ready" I just need to learn the SR.

Thank you are for the advice. I have considered giving up the shavette. I am going to wait until after the holidays though. I am looking at a Dovo primo right now. Hope you all have a wonderful holidays.

I have been wet shaving for more than 28 years and had to be clean shaven every work day for 25 of them. I started str8 shaving this past January. I think you should give your skin a rest from shaving periodically from a razor no matter what kind it is, St8, double edge or multi-blade.
A few times a year I shave on Thursday evening and don't shave again until Sunday to give my skin a rest.

Just my 2cents

I feel your frustration. I was ready to give up myself but kept perservering. Don't know if you've seen it yet or anyone posted it but the FAq section is informative: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki