Older but Newbe to straight razor shaving

Greetings!

I am 62 years old and kept a beard for most of my adult life mainly because I disliked shaving. Usually used a Bic disposable about twice a week to trim up a little.

About a month ago, after much contemplation, I got into shaving with a DE razor and got into it the right way. I purchased a Edwin Jagger DE razor and a sample kit of blades along with Omega shave cream and pre-shave and post-shave products. It turned a hate for shaving into a hobby! Wanting to experiment further I purchased an 20 dollar Shavette type razor and blades. I immediately bought a styptic pencil which I use every time I use the aforementioned razor!

I will likely use the DE as my regular razor but want to become competent with straight razor.

Jim

Welcome!!
I started the same way for the same reasons at 50 and have been at it for 5 years now.
A shavette can be more deadly than a real straight, if you get that down, the real thing will be a breeze

Good choice for a DE, I have the EJ Barley and love it. The shavette I can't comment on I've never owned one. I usually switch between DE's and a straight razors depends on the amount of time I have. Check the SRP's Library out for information on using a straight and of course the forums, lots of people here willing to help. Welcome to SRP!

I have not gotten through an entire shave with the shavette as yet but have made it through the second pass with the lather only mildly pink. Thanks for the encouragement!

Jim

Welcome jgthomas11 from Qld, Australia.
I am now 63 and when I was 60 I also purchased an EJ89 razor which is a fantastic DE razor. After reading articles on this site I also purchased a Dovo shavette to dabble in the world of straight shaving. I have been using it for about 18 months now with the green sleeve and Personna longer SE blades which makes it more like a traditional straight. The half DE blades cut my face too much as I found them too short. It really only took a couple of months before I was able to confidently shave my whole face without nicking it.
I then had to have a real straight as they all looked so gorgeous and shiny. I started out with a DOVO best Quality and quickly also bought a Bengall, both of which I had professionally honed.
Strangely enough it took quite a while to get used to them however the shavette came in VERY handy to touch up. If I feel that the straights are not shaving well I still revert back to the shavette and occasionally the DE as well
I suffer from RAD and today have a few nice straight razors but still keep looking for that really nice one that will be the "last" purchase.
Go for it mate, never too late!
Sunbird

I have been very happy with the results from the DE. I must already have "Acquisition Disease" because I already have a Muker 180 and more shaving soaps and creams than I will use in a year. Not to mention the shavette. I can see I will have to figure out how to get a proper SR without my wife using it on me!

Jim

Take her antique shopping, if you both buy something (you, razor), not much can be said! :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

I have been very happy with the results from the DE. I must already have "Acquisition Disease" because I already have a Muker 180 and more shaving soaps and creams than I will use in a year. Not to mention the shavette. I can see I will have to figure out how to get a proper SR without my wife using it on me!

Jim

---

Welcome to the forum from another late bloomer. Shaved all my life because I had to with various razors and never thought about it, just a daily chore. So three years into retirement at 59 I buy my first straight at the Sally Ann on a whim. That transformed the daily chore into a daily ritual that I look forward to and enjoy despite the occasional nicks and cuts. It also made a huge improvement to my DE shaving too. I see like me that you are well on the way to various acquisition disease associated with the sport too. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the straight as much as I do. You are never too old and you have company.

Bob

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

I didn't take that extra expense into consideration when I started this hobby.

Quote:

---

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

Quote:

---

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!

Quote:

---

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!!!!!!

Quote:

---

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

Thanks, I love your quote!!

Jim

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

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

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

I ordered one from Straight Razor Place today!

Jim

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.

Quote:

---

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

Quote:

---

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

---

Sunbird,

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

Quote:

---

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

Hi Jim,
It is disappointing to read about your unfortunate experience with the DOVO green holder and Personna blade. My blade sits comfortably in the green holder with about 1/16th of an inch of blade exposed which then smoothly slides into the shavette as it should. Removal is also easy. If I flick the blade to rinse water off, the holder and blade slide out.
I have never cut myself with this combination so I am very surprised to read about your adventure. I have just purchased a new digital camera. Taking some shots of my setup would be a good project. All indications are that the blade might not have been installed properly. Please do not give up just yet. I am confident it will work out in the end. Remember that there must not be any pressure on the blade, just let it glide through those whiskers!

Video of Shavette with green holder and Personna blade showing what it looks like inserted.

MFW, green shavette insert and persona long blades - YouTube

Red holder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc4aP...eature=related

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

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

Sorry to hear about the problems with the Dovo Shavette. Are you still using the replaceable blade straights or have you gone back to DE safety? I finally put down the Parker SR1 when my brother sent me our grandfather's Gillette SuperSpeed that he had in a drawer collecting dust. It's in fairly decent shape and gives a great shave with the Gillette Platinum blades that I received for Father's Day. For now, I am letting my face heal. Maybe I'll take another shot at straight razors when I can afford to invest in a real straight and strop.

Thanks for the update.

Steven

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stevenamills

Jim

Sorry to hear about the problems with the Dovo Shavette. Are you still using the replaceable blade straights or have you gone back to DE safety? I finally put down the Parker SR1 when my brother sent me our grandfather's Gillette SuperSpeed that he had in a drawer collecting dust. It's in fairly decent shape and gives a great shave with the Gillette Platinum blades that I received for Father's Day. For now, I am letting my face heal. Maybe I'll take another shot at straight razors when I can afford to invest in a real straight and strop.

Thanks for the update.

Steven

---

Stephen,

I am still forging ahead, though with some trepidation! Overall I like my original shavette better but the jury is still out... I guess. I will work with the Dovo some more before I give it the final boot.

I have a real SR on the way and should see it this week. Also ordered a strop along with another shaving soap and a cream. Had to get the soap and cream to feed my SAD!

Good luck with the new razor! I guess it would be accurate to say I still prefer the DE's that I have over the SR but that may change as I become more proficient with a straight. The DE's provide a much more relaxing shave (for me) and do a real good job at it.

Jim