Thread: Older but Newbe to straight razor shaving

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

Thanks for the welcome! The EJ razor is, indeed a thing of beauty! I love the chrome plating.

I used the shavette again this morning and probably nicked myself as much as I ever had an switched to the DE after the second pass... When the lather takes on that pinkish hue it is time to switch. I am determined to get this right and will keep hacking away at my face until I do get it. I think I need to use the DE and not pick up the shavette for a couple of days.

Haven't figured out what I will get for a real straight razor when I get better at this...


Jim

Welcome!

I started with a shavette as well. I now have many straights but at least once a week still a shavette type (Feather RG). I find the best angle (for me), is close to flat against my face with just enough pressure to scrape the lather away. Also making sure to use short confident strokes. If that's not enough to concentrate on...I find stretching the skin tight also makes life a breeze. Doing all this gives me a very close 2 pass shave with no irritation.

Now that shaving is enjoyable you can take your time and practice as opposed to rushing through an otherwise mundane chore

Cheers!

Welcome to the fold. It's never too late. I took up this at 53 and been a member on this GREAT site for 3 years . It took me 3 months before I had the sac to do the up stroke on my throat. So no need to rush,and after 100 shaves you will have yourself an OK shave, and it keeps on getting better from there.

Welcome to SRP!! I also use to use an EJ razor before I switched to a straight.. Just like you I used a shavette before I purchased a real straight razor. After learning how to use a shavette, a straight razor is a walk in the park!!

Thanks, ZeroCool!

I think a big part of the problem is that I don't stretch my skin enough. I can get away with it with the DE but not with the shavette. My attack angle may be a little steep too, causing the razer to catch on my skin creating another wound. Thanks for the reminder about the blade angle!

Jim

Originally Posted by Mike1969

Welcome to SRP!! I also use to use an EJ razor before I switched to a straight.. Just like you I used a shavette before I purchased a real straight razor. After learning how to use a shavette, a straight razor is a walk in the park!!

That's what I am told. Just want to be sure this is something I will keep up with before investing in a real razor, strop, sharpening stone, etc.

Welcome! I started at 60, and also had a shavette (Parker) which I alternated with a DE and a Dovo SE. I recommend to try an SE, because it is different. Get one that is honed by an expert so you don't have to worry about it. It took me almost a year to master the straight but it is worth it, and fun. The best thing is that shaving becomes a pleasure and not a task. Still having fun learning every day!

Originally Posted by vicmaldo

Welcome! I started at 60, and also had a shavette (Parker) which I alternated with a DE and a Dovo SE. I recommend to try an SE, because it is different. Get one that is honed by an expert so you don't have to worry about it. It took me almost a year to master the straight but it is worth it, and fun. The best thing is that shaving becomes a pleasure and not a task. Still having fun learning every day!

Thanks, vicmaldo! I never thought shaving would be pleasurable because I disliked it so much. I thought people who said they looked forward to it were, quite frankly, goofy. Guess I am also.

Jim

You are not alone. I, too, began shaving with DE razors not long ago and wanted to expand my horizons to straight razors. I didn't want to invest a large amount of money at first so I bought a Parker SR1 shavette type. It's a nice razor that I am sure will do a great job in experienced hands. For me, though, it is an instrument of facial devastation. Despite watching videos, reading blogs, manuals and forum entries, and practicing with a blunt razor, I have found the learning curve to be quite steep with the shavette. I am making progress each day, but my quiet contemplative morning shave time has turned tense and bloody; my face a battlefield. In order to restore the peaceful start to my day and the good condition of my skin, I am considering putting aside the straight razor idea until I can afford to buy a real straight that might prove to be more forgiving of newbie mistakes. Once I learn to use a genuine straight razor, perhaps I will take up the Parker SR1 shavette once more, I think it would be really handy to travel with.

The pink... I mean white towel is about to be thrown in for now.

Good luck in all your shaving pursuits.

Welcome to SRP

As has been mentioned above, the blade angle( close to skin) and pressure ( light) are key. Stretching helps a lot also.

Welcome to the forums!!!!!!