Thread: Straight Vs Shavette

Originally Posted by Eco82

Hello Everyone!
I've been posting on some different posts about my experiences shaving with a straight, problems, issues and questions and I have to say that I absolutely love the response and camaraderie on the forum.

Lately I've been "taking notes" on my experiences in this new path, which as many of you... I'm quickly falling in love with it. I have different soaps and creams, a boar and a badger brush and the equipment I'm comparing are my actual blades. I have a 5/8 TI Carbon Steel, a 5/8 Dovo EnVouge Stainless Steel and a Dovo shavette with the long blades.

I've been trying to notice every part of my shaves as I started having some issues with my Bay Rum AS splash, it started burning my face way more than when I started using it. So I've been doing stuff slower, with more attention and really focusing on what I'm doing, and here's what I've found so far.

I deffinetly think that all of my issues (Bay rum burning more than usual, one blade giving me more burn than the others) are because of technique more than any other reason. I've been looking to the blades edges with a loupe and I can't see any thing that pops up, no bends, no weird things on the edge or chips or anything.

So, all in all, what I've seen is that the Stainless Steel blade feels sharper, or "harsher" than the carbon one, I start feeling a little burning while on the second pass. Something I don't feel with the Carbon, this blade feels some how softer or more forgiving than the stainless one.

And lastly, the Shavette gives me a way closer shave than any of the other two blades, but it also is the most aggressive one as the AS splash burns much more after using this one than either the Dovo or TI. I can get a BBS with the disposable blades while I'm having a harder time achieving that with the SR.

I also think it's because of technique because I'm getting used to my hair patterns and the way they grow.

I'm wondering if any one else has these type of issues, where a disposable is a closer shaver but harsher or if it's something that with technique could be improved.

I hope this helps some one out there as it is helping me.

Cheers.

E.

It took me two years to master the straight razor. In my third year, I was much better than in my second.

It doesn't take most people that long to learn but it makes a point of what you're experiencing. You may be going through the motions correctly, but the repetition is necessary.

The best advice I can give you is what I did, which is keep on shaving. Whether you settle on a shavette or a true straight, it's a matter of practice. You are going to get it and when you do, you will realize that you could only be taught to a certain point. The rest is learned.

This video helped me the most. I watched it literally hundreds of times, and found little things every once in a while I hadn't seen before. It also motivated me to keep going and reap my reward. It meant that much to me to get this thing mastered.

Here's the video:

You'll get it! The journey is what has made it so special for me!