I've been using a DE Safety Razor for about ten years, but am just branching into the straight and shavette world. Recently I started using a shavette on my head. A few hard lessons learned.
1) Not all blades are created equal, and that goes for shavettes as well. After a few weeks of shaving with a Parker SRX, and thinking it was the blades I picked up an Irving Barber CO. and the difference was night and day. The Irving feels very intuitive, and the struggle I had finding the proper angle with the Parker disappeared. I use the Feather Pro in the Irving in case that helps anyone. Longtime Feather DE user, so I may try on of those as well.
2) I struggle with ambidexterity. I also struggle converting what I see in the mirror with what my hand is doing. If you can't see well, learn to shave by feel. Sometimes a textbook grip doesn't always work. When I used the textbook grips as a guideline and not a rule I gained a lot of confidence.
3) Pre-shave is a lot more important than I thought. Hot water isnt always available out of a tap here, so I've had to heat water in an electric kettle and microwave washcloths a few times. Worth the extra effort. **If anyone reading this has a preshave oil/soap/aftershave combo in the same scent please speak up. I'm on the hunt for a good combo.
4) No matter how confident you get, speed is the enemy. I apply this to my motorcycle as well. I've learned that if I'm feeling rushed, I just wait a day on the head.
After a week of looking like I took a shell of birdshot to the back of the head everything is healed and smooth. Even started attempting a bit of ATG the Irving handles so well. Looking forward to the advice this brings, and hope it helps someone.
1) Not all blades are created equal, and that goes for shavettes as well. After a few weeks of shaving with a Parker SRX, and thinking it was the blades I picked up an Irving Barber CO. and the difference was night and day. The Irving feels very intuitive, and the struggle I had finding the proper angle with the Parker disappeared. I use the Feather Pro in the Irving in case that helps anyone. Longtime Feather DE user, so I may try on of those as well.
2) I struggle with ambidexterity. I also struggle converting what I see in the mirror with what my hand is doing. If you can't see well, learn to shave by feel. Sometimes a textbook grip doesn't always work. When I used the textbook grips as a guideline and not a rule I gained a lot of confidence.
3) Pre-shave is a lot more important than I thought. Hot water isnt always available out of a tap here, so I've had to heat water in an electric kettle and microwave washcloths a few times. Worth the extra effort. **If anyone reading this has a preshave oil/soap/aftershave combo in the same scent please speak up. I'm on the hunt for a good combo.
4) No matter how confident you get, speed is the enemy. I apply this to my motorcycle as well. I've learned that if I'm feeling rushed, I just wait a day on the head.
After a week of looking like I took a shell of birdshot to the back of the head everything is healed and smooth. Even started attempting a bit of ATG the Irving handles so well. Looking forward to the advice this brings, and hope it helps someone.
