Thread: I was sure this wouldn't be me

Originally Posted by Utopian

I think the 30 degree shaving angle recommendation does more harm than good.

Thanks for pointing that out. I guess I repeated the 30 degree rule of thumb out of habit. Similar to what Onimaru mentioned, keeping the spine 1-2 spine-widths off the face is a better idea. It's kind of hard to hold a protractor against ones face while shaving anyway

Guys, I could be off base here, but I would expect a Shavette's shaving angle to be lower than a straight. The thinner blades amount to a more acute bevel, requiring a lower shave angle. (Or am I wrong here? )

If my base assumption is correct (I've never used a shavette), I'd expect Lawrence's angle of attack is too shallow (spine too close to face) resulting in poor cutting. Add to that basic math: Frustration + Dissappointment --> Pressure and you get nasty razor burn and pulling.

On the other end of the spectrum if Lawrence had read up and read posts that I've read suggesting that when you transition from a shavette to a straight you need more angle, he may have gone over the top and gotten the same results. Only you can tell us Lawrence.

Keep at it. As I mentioned, I've never used a shavette, but once I found the sweet spot for blade angle my shaves were unbelievable (maybe not the best to be had, but far better than I'd ever expected!).

Peace,

The Shavette does require a lesser numerical angle (flatter) than a straight. Getting too vertical (moving up toward 30 degrees) with a Shavette puts the shaver's skin at risk because the Shavette's blade is extremely sharp and is perfectly happy to dive right in.

When I made the same transition from Shavette to Straight, I had the additional complication that I was honing the blades myself, so I wasn't sure if the problem was my honing or the transition itself. I found two major differences. First, I did have to raise the spine somewhat more. Secondly, for the first time I was able to hear and feel the whiskers being cut as the straight went through them. With the Shavette, the blade, often a Feather, was so sharp that there was no noise and little in the way of feel.

hang in there man, just keep trying it at diffrent angles and it will adventually start cutting, remember not to use any pressure unless you want a tattoe for the brave (scar) the razors weight will do the work and you can rest assurded that the razor is sharp if it came from srd.

What everyone else said plus prep is very important as is skin stretching. My first straight shaves were nothing to write home about but things improved rapidly.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I had another go with it just a little bit ago. I did get a full shave in with the Dovo today, albeit not a very good one. Decreasing the angle actually did help. When I tried yesterday I was much closer to 30 degrees and tweaking the angle in that range to no avail.

Taking an extremely narrow angle today did help, but there was still a good bit of dragging and skipping. I did a solid pre-shave treatment as usual and was careful about pressure etc.

It's probably just going to be a matter of practice and getting used to the new blade. I guess I just expected the transition from shavette to straight to be more seamless and comfortable. To my surprise, despite being somewhat similar in form and function it's a completely different animal. There's no question that I'll stick with it until I get it down though.

Interestingly, my experience with the angle of the shavette vs. the straight is the reverse of what a couple of you guys discussed. I've come to use a pretty wide angle with the shavette, very near 30 degrees and comfortably so, but so far it looks like the Dovo Best Quality is going to require a much more narrow angle from me.

Thanks again guys for all the suggestions and encouragement! It's very much appreciated. I'll keep posted on my progress.

Best,
Lawrence

Just to be sure, remember that skin stretching and pressure are pretty much just as important as the angle, it will just take a few shaves before you figure it out. happens to everyone

Originally Posted by ace

I found two major differences. First, I did have to raise the spine somewhat more. Secondly, for the first time I was able to hear and feel the whiskers being cut as the straight went through them. With the Shavette, the blade, often a Feather, was so sharp that there was no noise and little in the way of feel.

I also noticed that. With the straight I can really feel the whiskers a lot more as the blade goes through them as to where the shavette has nearly no tactile feedback like that. I hope I don't get jumped for this lol, but is it that the shavette blades are just sharper in general by virtue of being so thin and perhaps having a coating of some sort? Just curious.

Originally Posted by Lawrence

I also noticed that. With the straight I can really feel the whiskers a lot more as the blade goes through them as to where the shavette has nearly no tactile feedback like that. I hope I don't get jumped for this lol, but is it that the shavette blades are just sharper in general by virtue of being so thin and perhaps having a coating of some sort? Just curious.

I think that you're right there. But I will say, while I can feel through my fingers that the razor is meeting and slicing hair, when I'm at the right angle with a sharp blade, I honestly cannot feel it on my cheek. I can hear it, but I can't feel it.

In my case, ingrown hairs were the norm with mulitiblades and ellllectrics! I just used clippers for 10 years due to ingrown hair issues! I have had 2 of them in 8 years after going straight and those were close to beard/moustache. Missed some! Cured my issues!