- Joined
- Thursday May 12, 2016
I returned to DE shaving about 2 years ago, and decided to take the next step. Not wanting to invest big and then find I couldn't get on with a cut throat, I decided to try a shavette-style razor. I bought one from Ebay, which was cheap, but surprisingly not nasty, especially as it was from a brand whose razors are normally considered a no-go, I believe - Sanguine.
I started, as all the experts seem to recommend, by just doing the cheeks, and progressing from there. I found that fitted with a "gentler" blade like a Shark, I would (in the first week or two) get a few cuts & nicks - though I never had anything too bad. However, when fitted with a sharper blade - Feathers - it seemed much easier & smoother. Now, after about six weeks, and maybe 25-30 shaves with the thing, I have started to develop the oft-cited "muscle memory"/confidence/competence, and can do the job cut-free 90% of the time. I can't say that the results are as good as a 3-pass shave with my Jagger DE89, but they are now acceptable from a foot away, if not to the touch. I have decided to go on with the experiment, and have got myself a vintage Sheffield-made blade, which is now being honed by an expert.
What I have learned, which I hope may be of use to other new starters:
I started, as all the experts seem to recommend, by just doing the cheeks, and progressing from there. I found that fitted with a "gentler" blade like a Shark, I would (in the first week or two) get a few cuts & nicks - though I never had anything too bad. However, when fitted with a sharper blade - Feathers - it seemed much easier & smoother. Now, after about six weeks, and maybe 25-30 shaves with the thing, I have started to develop the oft-cited "muscle memory"/confidence/competence, and can do the job cut-free 90% of the time. I can't say that the results are as good as a 3-pass shave with my Jagger DE89, but they are now acceptable from a foot away, if not to the touch. I have decided to go on with the experiment, and have got myself a vintage Sheffield-made blade, which is now being honed by an expert.
What I have learned, which I hope may be of use to other new starters:
- Don't be afraid of your cut throat or shavette. You are not going to slice your face off.
- Respect the blade, don't rush, pay attention to your angle or you WILL cut yourself.
- You are more likely to cut yourself with a dull blade rather than with a sharp one.
- A shavette is a cheap way to learn the basics, though I can't personally comment on how the skills learned with a shavette transfer to skills with a cut throat.
- Keep at it. Practice makes perfect! (Though I am not there myself YET).