Older but Newbe to straight razor shaving

**jgthomas11** · 08-01-2012, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by stevenamills

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.

I feel your pain... literally! I really enjoy the DE razors and, as I said, I got into it with the correct razor, a good supply of blades to experiment with, a good shaving cream, etc. I did not give straight razor shaving the same opportunity, starting off cheap with the razor, so I think I will hang in there for a while yet and give it a chance, thought I think about hanging up the shavette just about daily. I have a tendency to conquer something then give it up... go figure!

I have the most trouble between the bottom of my chin to the nose so I think I will leave that area to the DE until I "perfect" the rest of the face and the neck. When I get discouraged I usually watch some of geofatboy's videos and figure it is doable. By the way, he has one on using the shavette also.

The last time I used the shavette I made quit a mess of myself but I think part of the problem was that I was trying to get too much mileage out of the blade. I have a new blade in it ready for another go at my face tonight!

If I conquer the straight razor I will have to come up with another plateau to conquer... maybe the switchblade

Jim

**jgthomas11** · 08-01-2012, 12:44 PM

Thanks, I love your quote!!

Jim

**Sunbird** · 08-01-2012, 07:10 PM

Hi Jim,

As I mentioned in post # 5, I use the Dovo Shavette with the green blade holder and Personna SE blades. As soon as I started with this combination the shaving experience was great.
Take a look at Alex Campbell's video covering this:- Changeable Straight Razor Holders - YouTube

**stevenamills** · 08-01-2012, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

I feel your pain... literally! I really enjoy the DE razors and, as I said, I got into it with the correct razor, a good supply of blades to experiment with, a good shaving cream, etc. I did not give straight razor shaving the same opportunity, starting off cheap with the razor, so I think I will hang in there for a while yet and give it a chance, thought I think about hanging up the shavette just about daily. I have a tendency to conquer something then give it up... go figure!

I have the most trouble between the bottom of my chin to the nose so I think I will leave that area to the DE until I "perfect" the rest of the face and the neck. When I get discouraged I usually watch some of geofatboy's videos and figure it is doable. By the way, he has one on using the shavette also.

The last time I used the shavette I made quit a mess of myself but I think part of the problem was that I was trying to get too much mileage out of the blade. I have a new blade in it ready for another go at my face tonight!

If I conquer the straight razor I will have to come up with another plateau to conquer... maybe the switchblade

Jim

It's funny how a few days can change things. I was about to give up on the shavette but my last two shaves went really well. In fact, today's shave could almost qualify as a DFS. I made two passes, wtg and xtg, and managed to complete it without drawing any blood. Pulling the skin tighter seems to have made a big difference in my results. My problem spot tends to be under the nose in the mustache area - just can't seem to hit it without pulling and irritation. Luckily, I have been able to handle the chin without much problem.

Geofatboy's videos are great. I have seen quite a few of them including the one featuring the Parker SR1. He sure does make it look easy. That video convinced me to buy the Parker over the Dovo shavette.

For now and in to the future, I think the shavette and a real straight will be challenging enough for me. Besides, once I get a straight, I'll have to learn to strop and hone properly. That will keep me busy enough.

Be careful with that new blade.

**jgthomas11** · 08-02-2012, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by stevenamills

It's funny how a few days can change things. I was about to give up on the shavette but my last two shaves went really well. In fact, today's shave could almost qualify as a DFS. I made two passes, wtg and xtg, and managed to complete it without drawing any blood. Pulling the skin tighter seems to have made a big difference in my results. My problem spot tends to be under the nose in the mustache area - just can't seem to hit it without pulling and irritation. Luckily, I have been able to handle the chin without much problem.

Geofatboy's videos are great. I have seen quite a few of them including the one featuring the Parker SR1. He sure does make it look easy. That video convinced me to buy the Parker over the Dovo shavette.

For now and in to the future, I think the shavette and a real straight will be challenging enough for me. Besides, once I get a straight, I'll have to learn to strop and hone properly. That will keep me busy enough.

Be careful with that new blade.

Just a little further up in this thread is a reply to me from Sunbird which is very interesting in that there is a video attached describing the Dovo Shavette using the green insert. I think I finally understand the concept and am anxious to give it a try.

I did throw (probably a better word would be "installed") a new blade in the the shavette and had a much better shaving experience this time around. The only blood I drew was in cutting a small bump on the right cheek, which I always cut when I use that razor.

Jim

**jgthomas11** · 08-02-2012, 10:32 PM

I ordered one from Straight Razor Place today!

Jim

**stevenamills** · 08-03-2012, 01:09 AM

The Dovo Shavette really seems to be versatile due to its ability to accommodate different types of blades depending on the insert used. Good luck with your latest acquisition. I'd like to know your impressions when you use it.

**jgthomas11** · 08-03-2012, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by stevenamills

The Dovo Shavette really seems to be versatile due to its ability to accommodate different types of blades depending on the insert used. Good luck with your latest acquisition. I'd like to know your impressions when you use it.

I will be sure to let you know.

Jim

**jgthomas11** · 08-12-2012, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by Sunbird

Hi Jim,

As I mentioned in post # 5, I use the Dovo Shavette with the green blade holder and Personna SE blades. As soon as I started with this combination the shaving experience was great.
Take a look at Alex Campbell's video covering this:- Changeable Straight Razor Holders - YouTube

Make sure you watch it through to the end.
If you decide to try the green holder/Personna blade combo, please post your experiences!!

Sunbird

**jgthomas11** · 08-12-2012, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by stevenamills

The Dovo Shavette really seems to be versatile due to its ability to accommodate different types of blades depending on the insert used. Good luck with your latest acquisition. I'd like to know your impressions when you use it.

Steven,

I did receive the Dovo Shavette and used it 3 times. Here is a copy of my response to Sunbird concerning it:

I did receive the Dovo Savette and shaved 3 times, once with each holder (green, black, and red). There must be something radically wrong with the green holder! I have never nicked myself as much as I did with the Personna blade! Without exaggeration, at LEAST 2 dozen times!!! I had a heck of a time getting the green holder in the shavette even without a blade in it. With a blade I had to press it against the sink to seat it and use pliers to extract it after the massacre!

No real problems with the red and black inserts with the appropriate blades. With a snapped DE blade with the red insert I did notice that there was too much lather removed because of the blade being shorter than the insert. It would, of course, remove the lather under the blade but the remaining part of the insert that did not house the blade also removed some lather making it a little sparse when the blade took its pass on that spot.

The larger Dovo blade with the black insert was OK except that I seemed to pull the whiskers more. As I shaved closer to my hair I noticed some got caught in the shaver which then pulled them out.

Over all I was not at all impressed and with the green insert and the Personna blade, well... I'd call it the shave from Hell! I assume those with a higher skill level would not have the problems that I faced.

Jim

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