My shavette bit me

[cesium]

Christmas is coming, and so is my Feather artist club dx with teak scales. Thought I would pull out the old dovo shavette (which I never used much) and gave it a weeks worth of shaves in preparation for Santa bringing my newest toy. It hasn't gone well...

I've been able to get a few bbs shaves out of it, but not without bloodshed. Twice I have cut myself. Very decent cuts. The entire length of the DE blade. Never deep, but boy did they bleed. I seem to be going along quite well, and maybe I get a bit comfortable with the razor. I dropped my guard both times, just for a second and I've ginsued myself.

My question is- will it be a lot more of the same once my feather comes? I obviously have to learn quite a bit with this style of shaving- been watching a ton of youtube videos. Just wondering if the sheer mass of the feather will help with the shave. I find the shavette requires a bit of pushing as it's just so light- and I think that's when I'm cutting myself. That and a monumental lack of skill.

Do straight razor shavers tend to have a lot of scars? A few of the youtube guru's sure did. I can deal with scars if I have to. Some '80's movie promised me that "chicks dig scars".

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[tomjr]

i rarely cut myself with a straight anymore. but i'm about 6 yrs. in. if memory serves i about quit cutting myself in about 3 to 6 months in. yes i do have a few scars but they get mixed in with the scars from other things. neither is going to hurt this mug very much. tom

 

[Kentos]

The blade will only cut skin if you move the razor back and forth. If you concentrate on moving at right angles relative to the blades edge, and keep the angle low, cuts will be minimal. As your technique improves slicing motions will enhance your shaves, but for now aim for straight passes. Try moving your whole arm rather than from the wrist or elbow too.

As far as the Feather, it will cut you just as easily, but it is more forgiving than the lighter shavettes.

Chicks dig scars so cut away!!

 

[Ackwired]

The feather blades are extremely sharp and will draw blood pretty easily with the slightest bit of inattention. I have taken to stropping mine with a desktop strop. It makes the blades milder and I find that I can get a month of daily shaves out a blade by stropping. I think it would probably last longer. But I have not tried it yet. I started stropping to prolong the life of the blade. But I now strop the new blades to "take some of the edge off". I found that they would open up the slightest bump for the first five or six days of use.

 

[brother cavefish]

sell it to me

 

[cesium]

The blade will only cut skin if you move the razor back and forth. If you concentrate on moving at right angles relative to the blades edge, and keep the angle low, cuts will be minimal. As your technique improves slicing motions will enhance your shaves, but for now aim for straight passes. Try moving your whole arm rather than from the wrist or elbow too.


Chicks dig scars so cut away!!

I'll have to try that- especially the part about moving my whole arm. Always looking for good tips. Do most people switch hands when shaving their face? That is- do you use your left hand when shaving the left side of your face and your right hand when shaving the right side of your face? I've seen youtube videos recommending that and I have to admit it takes some getting used to, but does seem more promising than just using my dominant hand all the time.

 

[Kentos]

I'll have to try that- especially the part about moving my whole arm. Always looking for good tips. Do most people switch hands when shaving their face? That is- do you use your left hand when shaving the left side of your face and your right hand when shaving the right side of your face? I've seen youtube videos recommending that and I have to admit it takes some getting used to, but does seem more promising than just using my dominant hand all the time.

I switch mine as its the only way to do certain parts of my face WTG/XTG/ATG. In the end your method will one personalized to your face, dexterity and comfort. Some people NEVER switch hands so it can be done.

 

[ladykate]

My question is- will it be a lot more of the same once my feather comes? Will there be scars?

To be sure, the Feather will be sharp but I have no problem with my versions. I think they are much easier to use than a shavette. The heft, balance and blade all work a bit better together. If you are worried about it, use the Guard blades and go easy. I have no scars - I've cut myself slightly in the past but it has always been more of a razor burn than a slice. Small nicks or mowing down a mole have occurred but there aren't any scars. I didn't expect any when I started and I wouldn't have started if I had expected to leave marks.

Merry Christmas!

backatcha

 

[Tony1951]

My first efforts with a straight were made with a cheap shavette with half a double edged blade, and I got one very nasty cut by using a full blade in it and then going in for some carving knife action during a moment's inattention. Had I used the half blade the depth of the cut would have been restricted to about 1.5mm by the holder, but as I'd lazily stuck a full blade in there.... well, you can imagine. All my straight cuts have been tied up with early inexperience or later inattention. That is the key; THINK what you are doing. Always put the blade to your skin carefully, move it forward and never side to side. Take care at the awkward bits, and stretch the skin if it is at all inclined to ruck up in front of the blade. Mind how you go under the nose and at the corners of your mouth where upper and lower lip come together.

My cuts lately after about a month of straight shaving every day, are few and very minor.... Just the odd tiny seep now, fingers crossed.

 

[cesium]

My most recent cut was an across the grain pass that literally dove in. The entire length of the blade grabbed and sunk in. Too steep of an angle I guess.