Thread: Another newbie with a shavette - used it this morning, learned a lot

Hello,

I broke out my brand new shavette - no idea of the brand - bought it new at a beauty supply place. Put in a brand new Derby blade, warmed up my face with 2 separate hot towel treatments, lathered up some sandlewood cream on my new brush, coated my face, and began my first shave with a shavette. Man, did I learn a lot! I had not shaved in 3 days, and I have what I would say is a 'moderate' beard. With my old Gillette cartridge, I shaved 2x/week, every other day, and got BBS every time.

First, it's important to me to learn to "do it right." What I mean by that is that I want to develop the muscle memory in both hands. So, I shaved the right side of my face with my right hand, using my left to pull my skin tight; then I shaved left side of my face with my left hand, while pulling up on my skin with my right hand. I am a right handed dude.

I cut the absolute hell out of my face about 15 seconds after starting - on my right cheek. After the bleeding stopped and I could see the cut, it is a very long cut - so I guess I moved the shavette or my head in a sideways motion. That was the only cut - but I did have a ton of small weepers, mostly on my ride side. My right side was not very smooth when I was done.

Next I did the left side. Again, this is my non-dominant side. No cuts, profoundly smooth, worked great! What the hell?

Did my neck by turning the shavette with the blade up - saw this in some of the shaving videos I've been watching. Got my neck BBS first try!

All in all, not bad for my very first shave with such a device!

Here is what I learned:

1. I should have done it all in the shower - I always shave in the shower - have for 20 years, and rarely if ever have any problems. My hot towel stuff did not hydrate or soften my whiskers like when I shave in the shower. I need to buy a hands-free fogless mirror, then I will try again in the shower.

2. I cannot let my mind wonder, and I cannot move while doing this. I'm certain the cut is from me moving; and I probably moved because I became distracted or off-task mentally.

3. Holy cow! I only went with the grain on my cheeks - got BBS on my left cheek with no problem at all! On my neck, I couldn't get my arm turned the way I wanted it, so I only shaved my neck against the grain - BBS again. If I can figure this out, and get BBS with one pass, or close to one pass, I will be a fan for life!

I did notice that the blade does not sit squarely in my shavette - one end is slightly more pronounced than the other. That too may have contributed to my cut.

Can't wait to get my actual straights sharped up. Welcome to a specific reference for where to send them.

I'm calling today a victory, and I am excited for round 2 - after I heal up!

Jim

They are the straights you bought nearly 6 years ago? Not sure the shower is a good idea though.

If i am in a hurry, I shave in the shower with a shavette, conditioner as a lather. One pass works very well. just need to have that fogless mirror as stated.

Originally Posted by OlDirtyJohn

If i am in a hurry, I shave in the shower with a shavette, conditioner as a lather. One pass works very well. just need to have that fogless mirror as stated.

A safety razor is umm well how do you say-safe. A razor sharp shavette or straight can REALLY do some damage to the ole family tree if you drop it naked in the shower. Hey-just sayin'

Edit: I do shave after the shower though.

+10000000000000!!!! On what steel said! I DONT SHAVE NAKED! < That below the belt?? no thank you!

edhewitt,

No sir - bought new a few days ago. Ended up giving those to a local barber after I gave up on learning a new system. I'm committed this time!

Jim

When I shave with a straight or shavette I always wear a leather apron and steelcap boots. Haven't found out how to prevent cutting my face yet.

Safe Shaving,
OldSalt

Shaving in the shower could lead to the hanging penis test Just saying.

here in the Netherlands we have a saying: "Goed gereedschap hangt onder een afdakje." which means something like "keep your good tools out of the rain." we use this saying when someone mentions our 'beer-muscle's" (or beer-belly, whatever you prefer). drink beer = save family jewels.

i have a Tondeo TM shavette which by design can only cut op to 2mm or 1/16" for imperial readers. i like my straight better because i can sharpen it myself.

i don't shave under the shower because there's no mirror and it 3 by 3 feet small. my bathroom is way bigger but its just tiles... useless. but i rent, so i don't want to invest too much.