Thread: Did Mantic59 give up on straights?

Originally Posted by Lynn

This is so crackin' me up.

Let the poor guy learn how to shave with a straight razor first before he puts out an instructional video.........

Have fun,

Lynn

You're right Lynn.

The problem is his DE vids are so good.

So no pressure

Originally Posted by Evin

You're right Lynn.

The problem is his DE vids are so good.

So no pressure

It's a bootiful ting!!

Originally Posted by Lynn

It's a bootiful ting!!

Oh yeah!!

I understand his learning curve because I'm on it myself, been shaving with a shavette just got back my Joseph Rodgers from Neil Miller and now know they are 2 different beasts. But I still have a Fritz Bratch Dovo and a R H & Sons to try also restored by Neil as well so its gonna take a week or so to get a clear idea about whats what.

I've seen your vids too Lynn you're a calm Guy. thats a useful trait to have when you put a very sharp piece of metal to your face

you're a good salt

Well, I'm in the deep kimchee now.
My father-in-law just gave me a nice Dovo straight for Christmas:



So it looks like 2011 will be the year-of-really-getting-serious-about-straights.

--Mark

Thats a perfect starter razor. I'm sure with all your experience and insights with DE's, straight shaving will come quick to you.

Originally Posted by Evin

Oh yeah!!

I understand his learning curve because I'm on it myself, been shaving with a shavette just got back my Joseph Rodgers from Neil Miller and now know they are 2 different beasts. But I still have a Fritz Bratch Dovo and a R H & Sons to try also restored by Neil as well so its gonna take a week or so to get a clear idea about whats what.

I've seen your vids too Lynn you're a calm Guy. thats a useful trait to have when you put a very sharp piece of metal to your face

you're a good salt

I've been hacking away with a Shavette now for eleven days/eleven shaves. I've gotten to the point where I can get half decent shaves with it, and rarely nick myself anymore. 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 a bit, for several reasons. 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. It's not a particularly interesting piece of kit. I have some proper straights, shave ready as well, but I don't want to move over to them until I have the technique down. I've been concerned that my initial experience with a straight would be lousy and I'd give up. Still, 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've gotten to the point where I can get a good shave with the Shavette, certainly not BBS but a fine shave for looking presentable. I have no problem with ATG passes at all, except on the upper lip, and it's really unnecessary there. I know my technique will improve with time, and I already have the preparation and other issues in hand. I'm just wondering what the transition to regular straights will be like. I know it will be far more interesting to use one than the Shavette, but how much more of this "dues paying" should I endure? 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.

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

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 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