What's new
The Shaving Cadre

Welcome to The Shaving Cadre, a forum dedicated to gentlemanly discourse about wet shaving and other topics of common interests. Membership is always free so register today and join in the fun

Things I suggest not to do, etc....

Blade-meister

Blade-meister

0
First Responder
Hobbyist
So I'm really close to jumping into straights. I though I'd start a thread of advice on all the mistakes you seasoned guys made in the beginning and other things you suggest not doing when you first try straights. I'd really like to learn from your injuries......er.....a.....little mistakes.;):D

So let's have them, I'm ready to know what not to do!
 
A shavette (or barber straight, i.e. a replaceable blade straight) is a different animal than a traditional straight razor. Shavettes are less forgiving of mistakes.
 
Don’t use a shavette that uses a DE or half DE blade or blood will spill. Other shavettes that use the hair shaper blades are feather AC type blades are indeed different and less forgiving BUT they are vastly better than the DE “barber” razors.
 
Oh yeah, the fluffy and thick lather you might use with a de/se razor isn’t ideal for a straight. You’ll want to add more water so you have a thinner, slicker lather.
 
The Dovo Shavette with the Dovo Shavette blades (see picture) is a good combination once you get used to it. I put these in the same category as Feather AC and Hair Shaper blades.
3569
 
Don’t over think it, just start.

As you learn, watch a few videos of guys who do it successfully (a good number here at TSC), and start incorporating the usual advice (slicker lather, good skin stretching, low angle, etc) until you develop your own way.
 
I guess the best advice I have is to start slow with a sharp razor. Won’t have to worry about being careful, you will! There’s another good thread around here somewhere where we layer it all out.
 
Be prepared to have your life changed forever!

Having 'just' started and probably only doing 25% of my shave with a straight, I already feel like the entire shave game has changed, I feel like Neo in the Matrix compared to what I thought I knew just using DE's.

Already a lot of good advice here, and there are a number of other threads up now you should check out. I'm also giving a blow by blow report in my journal. But since it's not mentioned here, don't buy a new razor, like DE's all straights aren't the same and with the availability of straights on BSTs in known shaving condition, not worth paying full price for something you might not like.
 
DO NOT! - Try to strop a shavette! Never goes well!
- Sneeze
- Try to shave when you have hiccups
- Try to economize and try to lather Dial hand soap (or Irish Spring for that matter)
 
dkeester said:
A shavette (or barber straight, i.e. a replaceable blade straight) is a different animal than a traditional straight razor. Shavettes are less forgiving of mistakes.
Click to expand...
CBLindsay said:
Don’t use a shavette that uses a DE or half DE blade or blood will spill. Other shavettes that use the hair shaper blades are feather AC type blades are indeed different and less forgiving BUT they are vastly better than the DE “barber” razors.
Click to expand...

I learned this the hard way...THE HARD WAY I tell ya!
 
Here are my words of semi-wisdom....

1. When on the skin, the blade should be moving at all times
2. If the blade stops due to a rough patch, do NOT "push on through"
3. A wetter lather is better (If the blade does not easily rinse under a light water flow from the tap, it is too think)
4. Do not hiccup while shaving around the Adam's Apple (been there, done that)
and finally ...
5. Get cocky, get cut
 
woodpusher said:
Here are my words of semi-wisdom....

1. When on the skin, the blade should be moving at all times
Click to expand...

I was getting what looked like cat scratches and couldn't figure out what was going on...I was pausing my stroke.

5. Get cocky, get cut
Click to expand...
This really happens when you get a few good shaves in. My worse cut was about 2 months into it. I felt I had it down, let down my guard and BAM!!!! Always remember that the blade is always loaded,.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top