Thread: First straight razor shave today

I bought a $20 Parker SR1 and Shark Saloon half blades to see how it went before dropping big bucks on a nice razor. I was pleased with the results. Just one very tiny nick on the chin. There was no discomfort, but the razor seemed very "grabby". If the blade didn't come new out of the box, I'd swear it as dull. Must be "operator error". The shave wasn't as close I expected, but I only did one pass with the grain and stopped after that till I get more comfortable with the process.

Well hello...good for you for using a DE. It takes time and a learning curve just like using a straight razor. Try a 2 or 3 pass shave in dues time let the razor cut the wiskers don't press or use to much pressure.

Also what are you using for shave cream its not out of the can I hope?

You will do fine just keep at it...try some different blades as well and see which ones work the best in the razor. I use derby and astra in mine DE razors. I can send you some if you like I have several hundred.

enjoy.

I am sorry I forgot its a shavette not a DE. I should read a little better.

Hi and welcome. Technique when starting out is usually at fault for less than stellar shaves. Keep at it and in a month you will be getting good shaves. They say its about 100 shaves before you really get it right. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Welcome to the Forum and the world of the Straight Razor Shave.

When you say "grabby" many of us say "skin tension, presure and angle"....

Check out all the great info in the Wiki and it sounds like you are well on your way...

Smoother Shaving...

Welcome to SRP!
A shavette is a great way to start into straight shaving. I started with a shavette and it led me to the straights.

There are a couple of things that could cause your problems. Try stretching your skin with your off hand so that the blade is going over flat skin. For a shavette you want your blade angle to be about 30 to 45 degrees to your face - too much angle and you get razor burn, too little and the blade will skip. Then there is your soap. The canned shaving creams don't work very well with a shavette. You can order some proper shave soap online, but if you are in a hurry most of the local drug stores will have van der Hagen soap in stock. It's not the greatest soap (IMHO), but it is still pretty good and a lot better than the canned stuff.