Thread: shave 3...

So I bought a shavette. I am using pre shave oil, before my lather.
My first shave was smooth, but bloody. 2nd shave was better, but still bloody.
third shave I put a new blade in the shavette. only 1 little cut, but shave was not as smooth as the first one. I also noticed that the razor did not travel smoothly over my face, their was more friction than the first 2 shaves.
so here are my questions.
1. why the friction?
2. Ive read many posts here where guys are saying that the shavette is a problem, and a true straight razor helps with some of my issues. thoughts on this?

Thanks for the help!!!

A shavette is less forgiving to bad technique which is why folks say a straight might be easier. As to the friction the only thing I can think of is you were pressing too hard or your face was dry with not enough lube or maybe you didn't realize you changed the angle.

I have a shavette and use it from time to time.
I've found that I get 3 shaves per blade out of it.
When you bled a lot I'm guessing you used too much pressure and/or too high an angle.
I'm guessing that for this go round you've lessened the pressure but either kept the angle too high or limp wristed it and now the blade jumps around.
If it's the Dovo it's got training wheels . Just lay it flat against your skin. Keep your grip firm but don't push against your face.
Once you have that down you'll be more able to experiment with raising the spine.

And the shavette is a great learning tool. It's not the same as a regular straight but it's a demanding teacher.

Originally Posted by bharner

I have a shavette and use it from time to time.
I've found that I get 3 shaves per blade out of it.
When you bled a lot I'm guessing you used too much pressure and/or too high an angle.
I'm guessing that for this go round you've lessened the pressure but either kept the angle too high or limp wristed it and now the blade jumps around.
If it's the Dovo it's got training wheels . Just lay it flat against your skin. Keep your grip firm but don't push against your face.
Once you have that down you'll be more able to experiment with raising the spine.

And the shavette is a great learning tool. It's not the same as a regular straight but it's a demanding teacher.

Good to know about the dovo, I'll try laying it flat next time

Thanks

The Shavette is only less forgiving because it tells you very quickly when you make a mistake. With the Dovo Shavette mistakes equal blood. That makes it a great starter razor with which to learn your technique. You can also start cheaply with it and find out whether straight shaving is for you. If it is, then the transition to a proper straight razor will be a piece of cake.

As for the friction, if it happened after a blade change I'd check what the blade was and use another brand or at least another new one. Beyond that, it's always angle and pressure. If you have the correct angle (low with a Shavette) and pressure (as close to none as you can get) then it's hard to cut yourself unless you make a bad stroke. Good luck!

Oh, one more thing...
I don't know what blades you are using but I found the personna blades at Sally beauty supply to be the best locally available blades.
The Wilkinson Sword blades that wallymart sells aren't bad and are, in fact, super sharp. However, they are not remotely smooth so you will feel any pressure you use.

It was a dovo blade

Originally Posted by Steveorocks

It was a dovo blade

Nothing wrong with them but there are definitely better blades out there.

Also bear in mind that you're only three shaves in, consistency will be all over the place, it's not your fault, just part of the learning process. As has been said before, the straight razor shave is a skill to learn, and to your credit your seeing the issues shave by shave and trying to figure out why.

As someone who started on a shavette, i think you should move up to the real deal, shavettes are fine for barbers etc and a cheap way to practie the skills, but nothing is like a real straight.

Originally Posted by bharner

Nothing wrong with them but there are definitely better blades out there.

What would you suggest?