I bought my first straight razor today... I have been practicing with a dull Gold Dollar and a Parker Shavette. I have had pretty good luck with the shavette, only some slight razor burn on my neck. I think I am ready for the real thing.
First SR - Ready to shave!
- Thread starter hgraves
- Start date
Good luck. I have been loving my straight razor journey!
Go for it! 
Maybe take it easy on the neck though.
Maybe take it easy on the neck though. 
Nice looking razor. Sounds like you're ready, just go slow and have fun.
- Thread starter
- #5
*** Update ***
First shave with the Dovo went very well. I went through my normal routine. The razor seemed pretty sharp to begin with, but I stropped it up anyway. I did a test on my arm and the hairs just popped off. Kind of scared me thinking I was about to put that thing rear my throat.
I lathered up and started WTG on my cheeks. REALLY SLOWLY with as much control as I could muster. Slow, short strokes with no pressure. I have used a shavette, but for some reason this seems about 10 times sharper. Thanks to the hollow ground, I could really hear the whiskers being cleaved off.
I did a full pass WTG and a few areas XTG. I didn't want to push it my first time with this razor. It felt pretty good. I would say it was a DFS for sure. I do have to admit that I did a little clean up with the DE. I had some difficulty around my goatee and under my jawline near my ears. I couldn't seem to get the angles right. And my left hand really needs some work.
But no nicks, cuts, or weepers. After a cold rinse and a rub with an alum block followed by some Captain's Choice Bay Rum, my face felt great! I have been shaving for 35 years, and I don't recall my face feeling so good after shaving. I regret it took me so long to discover this.
Can't wait for my next shave!!
First shave with the Dovo went very well. I went through my normal routine. The razor seemed pretty sharp to begin with, but I stropped it up anyway. I did a test on my arm and the hairs just popped off. Kind of scared me thinking I was about to put that thing rear my throat.
I lathered up and started WTG on my cheeks. REALLY SLOWLY with as much control as I could muster. Slow, short strokes with no pressure. I have used a shavette, but for some reason this seems about 10 times sharper. Thanks to the hollow ground, I could really hear the whiskers being cleaved off.
I did a full pass WTG and a few areas XTG. I didn't want to push it my first time with this razor. It felt pretty good. I would say it was a DFS for sure. I do have to admit that I did a little clean up with the DE. I had some difficulty around my goatee and under my jawline near my ears. I couldn't seem to get the angles right. And my left hand really needs some work.
But no nicks, cuts, or weepers. After a cold rinse and a rub with an alum block followed by some Captain's Choice Bay Rum, my face felt great! I have been shaving for 35 years, and I don't recall my face feeling so good after shaving. I regret it took me so long to discover this.
Can't wait for my next shave!!
And so it begins!
Great story! I NEVER thought I would enjoy shaving. I chose to go the Parker SR1 route - just couldn't get the hang of keeping an edge and decided not to fight with it for now. Maybe in the future.
Anyway, welcome to the club!
Anyway, welcome to the club!
Congratulations! Welcome to the journey...
Congrats on the great shave!! I am looking forward to my first SR shave myself! 
