Thread: Did Mantic59 give up on straights?

Originally Posted by Bill S

ace, if you really have a shave ready straight you should put the shavette away and step up to your regular straight.

I actually do have two shave ready straights and one that I need to hone, maybe, and at least strop before using it. I have the SRD Modular Paddle and Naniwa stones as well. So what am I fooling around with the Shavette for? Good question!

I started with the Shavette to "earn" my way into straights. I didn't want to try a real straight, have an unfortunate experience with it, and just quit. The Shavette is perhaps less forgiving than a proper straight, but when I look at that large, totally exposed blade, well, I wonder if the transition will be intimidating. So, I guess I'm asking whether eleven shaves and some success with the Shavette is preparation enough to move on to real straights or is there something totally different about them that I am yet unprepared for?

Originally Posted by ace

So, I guess I'm asking whether eleven shaves and some success with the Shavette is preparation enough to move on to real straights or is there something totally different about them that I am yet unprepared for?

No, it's not totally different. I predict that you'll do fine. One thing, however, if your shave ready blades have been Pro-honed resist the temptation to fool around with them, even if they don't feel sharp enough. There is a learning curve for finding the right blade angle, etc. Most new guys immediately blame the blade, but if your razor has been honed by someone that knows what they're doing it's probably sharp enough to do the job.

Try a couple of shaves and let us know how it's going. You have the right gear and you have a whole community of straight razor shavers ready to help you. You'll get it.

Originally Posted by Bill S

No, it's not totally different. I predict that you'll do fine. One thing, however, if your shave ready blades have been Pro-honed resist the temptation to fool around with them, even if they don't feel sharp enough. There is a learning curve for finding the right blade angle, etc. Most new guys immediately blame the blade, but if your razor has been honed by someone that knows what they're doing it's probably sharp enough to do the job.

Try a couple of shaves and let us know how it's going. You have the right gear and you have a whole community of straight razor shavers ready to help you. You'll get it.

Thanks for the input, Bill, and I assume I'll do just fine with a proper straight. At least one of my straights came from SRD, so I have no doubt it'll be fine. Also, I've read plenty of newbie posts here on the topic of initial blade sharpness and all of that, so I won't be blaming the blades for my mistakes. I've also read and watched everything on this and other forums about stropping and honing and know which mistakes to avoid and plan to avoid them. Are there any specific pointers on transitioning from the Shavette to proper straights, anything to avoid, or is it just a matter of using the straight the same way? Maybe I just have cold feet, eh?

Originally Posted by ace

I've been hacking away with a Shavette for eleven days/eleven shaves. I've got to the point where I get half decent shaves with it, and rarely nick myself. My original intention had been to get good with the Shavette before making the transition to real straights, but I'm starting to bog down. First, there is just no "magic" to shaving with a Shavette, nothing interesting about it. I have the sense that, as others here have said, it is less forgiving than a proper straight, and that my using it will improve my technique for when I eventually make the transition.

I really don't like shaving with the Shavette. I have straights shave ready, I've been concerned that my initial experience with a straight would be lousy and I'd give up. I wonder whether continuing to use the Shavette will become so negative an experience that I'll go back to my HD and Fat Boy, both of which I love to shave with and produce FAR superior results.

I know my technique will improve with time, and I already have the preparation and other issues in hand. Will a regular straight be easier to use, offer better shaves, and be more forgiving than the Shavette. It would be nice to hear from others who have taken this route and find out what their experiences were. I don't mind putting in the time with the Shavette, but I'm feeling like I've learned all I can with it. What I'm learning with it is I don't like shaving with the damn thing. I'm a bit concerned that continuing with it will send me back to the DEs instead of on to straights (my original goal). Any and all replies will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I did a little editing to the above quote but stopped, as you are ambiguous in what you say.
My advice is just to use the damn straights and make a decision for yourself.
I have a DE that I rarely use as I prefer my cut-throat razors, doesn't mean I don't like my DE. I just don't like it as much. You might go the other way. It doesn't matter! Every man has his preference or a choice to make. I think the answer is in your own words, and that you have already made a decision.


Mick

You're ready. Just grab that razor from SRD and start shaving with it. As they say in the construction trades, it's time to shoot the Architect and finish the job.

Apologies, of course, if you actually ARE an Architect.

I found the hardest part was that first fear of putting that sharp ass razor to my face and neck. When I realized it would have to take a massive massive blunder on my part to injure myself, the fear went away.

In other words, just shave with the straight.

ACE if you can shave with a shavette you can shave with a straight and it will be harder to cut your self with a straight. You will have to adjust how you shave with the straight though because the blades on a straight tend to be a bit thicker but not always.

The shavette takes you part of the way the straight is the final challenge. Spend your time on the straight now and what every you decide to use to shave with you'll be better at it.

Just remember you don't have to rush you have a lifetime to perfect your shaving. I make time to shave with a straight I become calm while I'm shaving with one and it puts me in the right frame o mind for the rest of the day.

Originally Posted by Evin

ACE if you can shave with a shavette you can shave with a straight and it will be harder to cut your self with a straight.
....snip....

If anything is gained by holding off it is experience with "Latherin".
If you are happy with you face prep and lather go for it.

The important and most critical part of a good shave (IMO)
is face prep. Once that is mastered almost any sharp blade
will give you a good shave.

A shavette, DE or even a yellow handled tossable from BiC
will also teach one additional detail. That detail is what a dull
blade feels like. If you dabble some replaceable blades will also
teach you what a harsh edge is.

The progression from out of the box sharp to dull is an interesting
one. Someplace in the progression is your ideal shave.
Your strop, and hone will be the tools that let each day be an
ideal (for you) shave with an open blade.

But first things first, start shaving with your straights.

You can and perhaps should set out your straight and
an alternate blade. Use the "new" straight on the easy places and
if you feel uncomfortable switch to your backup (shavette) or
another edge to finish the shave.


Go for it... it is a new year.

Is there any news?
Did he actually try straight?
I didn’t find any straight razor video from Mantic yet.

One has to learn something before they can teach something.......

I'm sure Mark will come up with something great when he feels ready.

Have fun,

Lynn