Dovo Shavette #4

Good news: Much improvement in the shave and in the carnage. No nicks and little razor burn even after multiple passes to get some areas close using ATG.

Bad news: The shave took 30 minutes, including extended preparation that didn't seem to make any real difference. The shave was about like what I was getting on my third or fourth DE shave, alright for going out in public but certainly neither BBS, DFS, nor CCS. I'd call it a NPCBNPS, a not particularly close but not painful shave.

I suppose I can go on from here improving my technique with the Shavette, but part of me wonders why I should when I can get a perfect shave with no nicks or razor burn from my Merkur HD in 6 minutes and with minimal prep. I know that the experience is the important thing here, but with the Shavette the experience is knowing that a really nice nick is just around the corner if you slip up.

So, I've done my homework, some of it anyway, and paid some serious dues (ask my face). The question is at what point I can expect a decent shave, a shave good enough so I can't hear my Merkur HD calling me, whispering "Come back to me, big boy, I'll give you that sweet BBS shave you can't get with those mean straights that you're whittling away at your face with."

I've never used a Shavette, but from what I've gathered in my brief time here is that about all they're good for is to teach you technique. They don't seem to give you the coveted BBS shave that you'll get from a quality straight. If you really want to see what a good straight razor can do, I'd ditch the Shavette and look for a SR on the Classifieds. Plenty to pick from at good prices.

I finished shave #5 today. It certainly is true that the Shavette will teach you good technique. The alternative to that is pretty ugly. I'm still making improvement, no nicks again today although I did finish up with my HD to make things look better. I've started using both hands with the Shavette, got a shaky start with that but now it's working.

Welcome to SRP.

I've been using a shavette in my rotation since September and am finally getting good results. I still use my DE to finish up difficult spots or solo when I have to get out of the house quickly.

IMHO the learning curve for straight razor shaving can be quite long. Don't try to rush this. Just hang in there. There's lots of evidence here to suggest the persistence pay.

Again, IMHO, the time taken for good shave is time well spent. I enjoy the prep, the products and the process. This is a luxury not to be rushed.

Enjoy.

IMO a shavette is only useful for dipping your toes in the SR waters and for travelling. Not many use one exclusively, never bothering to graduate to a real straight.

-Forget the shavette, get yourself a real straight and strop.
-Quick shaves will come with time and experience.
-30 mins with a straight is not bad
-To expect a shave on par with your DE, both for time and quality, is unrealistic at this point.
-After gaining experience with a real straight razor you will try a shavette again periodically and laugh at your previous struggles.

Shavette, good to tip toe into straight shaving. These blades tend to be a little too sharp on the 1st and 2nd shave, thus giving little weepers. On the 3rd/4th, the fine edge is worn down enough to give a more forgiven shave, then starting at the 4th+, it starts to pull some and this is where shavers tend to throw the blade away.

Now, if you get a straight and put the time into learning how to maintain it, you can always get the balance of a great performing razor, but with the forgiveness so you do not get weepers. Of course, a great face prep helps with this process.

Pabster