Thread: Old dog learning new tricks

Hello All,
And thanks to the Admin for letting me join. I am in my 40's living in So Cal (don't judge me). I started down this path quite by accident. I was spending a lot of money on Schick Quatro refills when I saw an add for a cheap safety razor with 20 blades on Amazon. I made the purchase and absolutely loved it. You all know the road down wet shaving from there.

So rather than buying a better safety razor, I've been waiting to upgrade to a nice dovo straight razor (father's day is right around the corner). In the meantime, I purchased an inexpensive shavette to practice. I gotta admit, it's been a tough learning curve. I am sticking to just my cheeks for now, but the few times I completed my shave with the shavette, my face felt absolutely shredded. I had trouble sleeping because I was in so much pain. I am hoping to have better results with a straight razor, and I have upgraded to an after shave balm that seems to be helping.

I do have some question that I may re-post on another thread. Should I expect another learning curve transitioning to the Straight from the Shavette? Will it likely be easier or more difficult keeping in mind that I purchased a $12 "Shave King" Shavette vs a $120 Dovo? How high will my testosterone levels raise when I use a straight razor... 'cause this is some manly macho man randy savage type stuff going on here!!!

Thank you for your replies and suggestions,

-Sixptstar

Welcome to SRP! I believe you will find learning to shave with a straight razor to be much more forgiving than a shavette. Do your research here and go slowly, especially with stropping. Many feel it takes a good 100 shaves to get the technique down, so be patient and very rewarding shaves will soon come your way.

Welcome.
Well no wonder your face hurts, this ain't no wrasslin match. [emoji1]
It more like a smooth and flowing waltz, with precise movement, and steps.

A time of zen and tranquility.💆

Don't shave the face...shave the cream..

And yes, I believe you'll find the straight more forgiving. As for the testosterone, Nah!! But does raise your heightened awareness. [emoji23]

Again, welcome. Keep us up on how things are going, and be sure to look through the library, there's tons of info on shavette ,safety, and straight razors.

Hello and welcome to SRP.
No doubt that transitioning to a straight razor from a shavette will be easier on your face and more forgiving. Just make absolutely sure that whatever razor you decide on is shave ready. Many new ones claim to be but aren't.
Enjoy your time here on the forum and have fun.

Pete <:-}

Welcome to the Forum. There are several members in your area. Here is a link to find them.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

Welcome!
I hear the shavette is a bit tough on the face. I've never tried one myself. As was just said, be sure your new razor is shave ready. I'd go so far as to send it off to a member here as soon as you get it. Ask them to see if its ready or if it needs work. What a company says is shave ready is most likely not. You might get lucky. But that is the most important thing to be sure of. From there any issues are from you and not your razor. I'd recommend picking up a second one here on the B/S/T. You can find them at low prices and they will normally come shave ready. This way you have one to use and a back up for when you have to send the first one off for a touch up.

Good luck and welcome to the best place to learn about S.R. shaving!

Thanks everyone!!

Jerry,
I was worried about the "shave ready" part of it. I am planning on purchasing a Dovo from West Coast Shaving in Chino, California. They offer to hone the razor for an additional charge ($20 i think). I was planning on taking them up on that. Also, I saw many cool razors in the classifieds here and wanted to purchase one. But as a newbie, I was not sure which would be suitable for me. And I really can only recognize a few names as reputable brands or blades good for a young padawan like myself. But many of the razors sold here are much cheaper than the Dovo I want and I can avoid sales tax (8% here in SoCal). Any thoughts on that?

-Jonathan

Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by sixptstar

Thanks everyone!!

Jerry,
I was worried about the "shave ready" part of it. I am planning on purchasing a Dovo from West Coast Shaving in Chino, California. They offer to hone the razor for an additional charge ($20 i think). I was planning on taking them up on that. Also, I saw many cool razors in the classifieds here and wanted to purchase one. But as a newbie, I was not sure which would be suitable for me. And I really can only recognize a few names as reputable brands or blades good for a young padawan like myself. But many of the razors sold here are much cheaper than the Dovo I want and I can avoid sales tax (8% here in SoCal). Any thoughts on that?

-Jonathan

My thoughts.....buy a razor here first. You'll not only come out cheaper (unless you go nuts), you'll be spending your money within a great community. A community of like minded guys, that will help you along your journey.

Welcome to SRP!
The blades you are using on your shavette might not be the best for you. Just like a safety razor, some blades work for you, some blades don't.
And use very little pressure.

For the razors in the classifieds here, they are all good and if listed as shave ready they really are shave ready.