Ok...let's go over this one more time...

I have two shavettes on order. Checking the mailbox doesn't make them arrive any sooner. Especially on Sunday.

So...after all my reading and watching Youtube and reading shavette forum posts I think I can summarize how my first shave should work. Someone correct me if I am wrong....or feel free to add to my list.

1. Good beard/facial prep is a must.
2. Lather should be on the wet side....
3. Blade should be a milder variety (e.g. Derby)...and run the first blade through a cork to remove any burrs...
4. Play with the shavette in my hands for a while (i.e. get comfortable with the grip). Maybe shave without the blade to get an idea of how the razor feels in action.
5. Start on the good side of my face and first day only do the cheek...finish the shave with a DE. Do this for a few days and then expand to other areas.
6. Go slow. Short strokes at first.

Additional tips: Dry your hands before picking up the razor. Make sure the mirror is not fogged. Wear a towel around your waist and something on your feet. Shave alone. Keep a styptic pencil handy.

How does that sound?

Sounds ok, except for the cork. I'm not sure that is necessary or desirable. I've never used a shavette, but have had one used on me in a barbershop, and they seem to need a slightly different technique because off the flexibility of the blade, come to a SR. My barber was really slow and did major stretching.

Enjoy!

What shavettes did you order? Knowing that guys can give you better knowledge on their individual quarks.

For the most part you plan sounds like a good one. I agree that the cork is not needed but I know some guys like that.

When you go to shave for the first time start with the blade almost flat to the face and slowly move it to a steeper angle till it stars to cut the hair and glide across the skin.

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Originally Posted by Castel33

What shavettes did you order? Knowing that guys can give you better knowledge on their individual quarks.

For the most part you plan sounds like a good one. I agree that the cork is not needed but I know some guys like that.

When you go to shave for the first time start with the blade almost flat to the face and slowly move it to a steeper angle till it stars to cut the hair and glide across the skin.

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Good advice on the angle of the blade...I will keep that in mind. The two I ordered are the Parker SR1 and Bluebeards Revenge. Any tips on these are welcomed.

sounds like your fine for your mission...leave out the cork. Let us know how it all comes out for you. I have a feeling you will be fine. There are fine vintage SR on the classifieds I was just looking. Just busting on you.

Best of luck and hope the shavetts get there soon to you.

Sounds like you may be overthinking the whole process a bit. If you're currently a DE shaver you have all the basics down. As far as the non-razor part of the routine, I'd just do whatever you normally do for a DE shave. Yeah, you'll need to learn to hold a drive a shavette (and probably a traditional straight after that) but don't let it freak you out too badly. Just pay attention to blade angle, placement and pressure (just like a DE) and here's one I learned the hard way: If for whatever reason, the blade binds or doesn't move the answer is NOT put some arse behind it (force it). Instead, pick the blade up re-set and gently glide the blade where you want it.

It really is a bit like the first few times you drive on snow and ice. If you're driving along with a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and four inches of drivers seat upholstery slammed between your butt cheeks, as soon as the rear end wanders just a little, you'll freak out, whip the wheel in six directions and the car will end up hitting something or running off in the ditch. It's just driving (or in this case, shaving) relax and enjoy the ride.

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Originally Posted by 1OldGI

It really is a bit like the first few times you drive on snow and ice. If you're driving along with a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and four inches of drivers seat upholstery slammed between your butt cheeks, as soon as the rear end wanders just a little, you'll freak out, whip the wheel in six directions and the car will end up hitting something or running off in the ditch. It's just driving (or in this case, shaving) relax and enjoy the ride.

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Beautifully put!:rofl2:
your analogy just made my morning!

Sounds like you should be good. I wouldn't worry about the cork, I think that is more to do with making the edge a bit more mild.

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Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Sounds like you may be overthinking the whole process a bit. If you're currently a DE shaver you have all the basics down. As far as the non-razor part of the routine, I'd just do whatever you normally do for a DE shave. Yeah, you'll need to learn to hold a drive a shavette (and probably a traditional straight after that) but don't let it freak you out too badly. Just pay attention to blade angle, placement and pressure (just like a DE) and here's one I learned the hard way: If for whatever reason, the blade binds or doesn't move the answer is NOT put some arse behind it (force it). Instead, pick the blade up re-set and gently glide the blade where you want it.

It really is a bit like the first few times you drive on snow and ice. If you're driving along with a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and four inches of drivers seat upholstery slammed between your butt cheeks, as soon as the rear end wanders just a little, you'll freak out, whip the wheel in six directions and the car will end up hitting something or running off in the ditch. It's just driving (or in this case, shaving) relax and enjoy the ride.

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Great winter driving analogy. Yes, I am probably overthinking the whole process...but that's just my OCD kicking in...I am enjoying learning a new shaving process, more toys to buy etc..

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Originally Posted by Whizbang

Great winter driving analogy. Yes, I am probably overthinking the whole process...but that's just my OCD kicking in...I am enjoying learning a new shaving process, more toys to buy etc..

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Sorry to sound like a frump but less toys are better until you develop proficiency with the 2 you have, in the case of a shavette one would be better. I say this as it reduces the variables, you can already change blades and don't have to strop etc.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Sorry to sound like a frump but less toys are better until you develop proficiency with the 2 you have, in the case of a shavette one would be better. I say this as it reduces the variables, you can already change blades and don't have to strop etc.

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I hear you loud and clear. Actually I don't plan to buy any toys until I know the direction I want to take with SR shaving. I ordered two shavettes because I was concerned about the grip in my hand...this is important to me. I will pick the one that feels best in my hand and work with that one until I learn how how to shave with it properly. I won't switch back and forth...as you say, it will reduce the number of variables. Thanks for the advice.

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Originally Posted by Whizbang

I hear you loud and clear. Actually I don't plan to buy any toys until I know the direction I want to take with SR shaving. I ordered two shavettes because I was concerned about the grip in my hand...this is important to me. I will pick the one that feels best in my hand and work with that one until I learn how how to shave with it properly. I won't switch back and forth...as you say, it will reduce the number of variables. Thanks for the advice.

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Seems sensible :) keep us updated

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Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Sounds like you may be overthinking the whole process a bit. If you're currently a DE shaver you have all the basics down. As far as the non-razor part of the routine, I'd just do whatever you normally do for a DE shave. Yeah, you'll need to learn to hold a drive a shavette (and probably a traditional straight after that) but don't let it freak you out too badly. Just pay attention to blade angle, placement and pressure (just like a DE) and here's one I learned the hard way: If for whatever reason, the blade binds or doesn't move the answer is NOT put some arse behind it (force it). Instead, pick the blade up re-set and gently glide the blade where you want it.

It really is a bit like the first few times you drive on snow and ice. If you're driving along with a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and four inches of drivers seat upholstery slammed between your butt cheeks, as soon as the rear end wanders just a little, you'll freak out, whip the wheel in six directions and the car will end up hitting something or running off in the ditch. It's just driving (or in this case, shaving) relax and enjoy the ride.

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Great analogy, I can't stress enough the importance of the blade angle and pressure. It took 4 months before I was able to get a great shave out of my shavette. I was getting good shaves but nothing fantastic, and almost gave up on the whole Pipe dream. Persistence and practice will pay off!

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Originally Posted by Jcoombs4

Great analogy, I can't stress enough the importance of the blade angle and pressure. It took 4 months before I was able to get a great shave out of my shavette. I was getting good shaves but nothing fantastic, and almost gave up on the whole Pipe dream. Persistence and practice will pay off!

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The OP is Canadian so I knew he could relate. On a side note, this is my exact winter driving stratgy my first winter in Alaska. My hands were generally numb after five minutes of driving LOL. Needless to say the winter driving block, if you're taking drivers ed in central Florida is almost non-existent

I started with a Parker PT. My profile pic sums up my first shave. I didn't listen to all the advice and just shaved my whole face. My white tee shirt turned red a couple of minutes in. It didn't hurt at all so I kept going.
I figured what the heck, a kid just a little over a hundred years ago could continue on while learning to shave, I could to. Best thing I did. Every shave got a little better. I tried 8 or ten different blades and then settled on Shark's.
I stopped and went back to my DE for a couple of months. I couldn't finish the shave in time. I picked the shavette back up about six months ago and haven't looked back. I have since moved on to straights but am thinking about loading up a blade in that old Parker.
Good luck and remember a break is good but don't give up.
Cheers,
John