Newbie Questions

[OhShizzl3]

Hi,

I was always unable to get straight, sharp lines in my beard from other products and I've tried nearly everything, so I got me my first straight razor - this one. (I know it's cheap but it should do fine as I'm only going to straighten the hairs on my cheeks and I didn't want to pay £30-50 to do so).
Before I shave, I just wanted to ask a couple of questions:

1. As it takes cartridge razors, is it necessary for me to buy a strop?
2. Is it okay to use shaving gel as I'm not going to shave the whole beard?
3. And would you guys recommend a certain way to practice? (I've just tried practicing on the hair on my hand)

Thanks for any answers, really want to get this started, and I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before. Just want to make sure before I do some permanent damage.

Thanks

[CaliforniaCajun]

What you have is commonly known as a "shavette." It takes regular double edge razor blades, so no stropping is needed.

Nothing wrong with using a shaving gel (I prefer the brush and shaving soap bit).

Watch someone shave with a shavette in a YouTube video. That is how I developed my technique, by studying others doing the same thing I'm attempting to do.

Good luck, and let us know how it went.

The way we can help you best is for you to post your experiences shaving with it. Tell us what happened if something needs to be corrected and we'll try to help.

[pfries]

CaliforniaCajun pretty much covered it,
the shaving gel will be functional but you may choose to venture further later.

And welcome to the forum.

[OhShizzl3]

Thank you guys for that

Going to watch some videos and have my first go straightening my beard the proper way!

[moehal]

if you wish accuracy with your beard which obviously you do, shaving gel would be fine. when i used to shape my goatee during my early "shavette years" i actually used hair gel for it's transparency and it was quite lubricating too. but i think shaving gel would do better.

[Jonah]

I'm not a pro by any stretch of the imagination, but I do use a shavette when I travel. I'm sure you will hear all about it in the videos and it can't be stressed enough how important a light touch is. Saying the blades are sharp is an understatement, and it takes almost no effort to get the job done. As commonsensical as it may sound, don't lead with the tip of the shavette. The blades don't protrude much and it is easy to forget where the point is. Other than that, it's trial and error.

[OhShizzl3]

Cheers for that, I noticed in the videos it didn't take much effort.

[Jonah]

One more piece of advice that I would offer is until you get really comfortable with shaving, I wouldn't recommend more than one pass. One with the grain pass of a shavette gets closer than my with the grain and across the grain stroke of my Dovo straight. If you decide to do more than one pass, I wouldn't do it with a brand new blade. Using it a time or two will give you a little more grace and wiggle room so you don't slice yourself.

[OhShizzl3]

Just want to follow this post up if there is anyone doing the same as me and having the same problem.
I used:
- The shavette in my first post
- Gillette clear gel (to see my lines)
- Styptic pencil (so very crucial)

It works much MUCH better than anything I've tried (I've tried with a safety razor and a multi-blade razor).
I would recommend feeling the weight of it, watching YouTube videos and practising how they hold the razor.
And also, tread lightly, practise a little on your forearm hair also.

Anyone having the same problem as me will NOT regret this decision, the straightest lines are created.

Thanks everyone who contributed for your help also.