Hi guys,
I started shaving with a straight razor at the end of December. I haven't had enough practice as I should, and I threw myself into learning to hone, restoring vintage blades and trying to keep my dovo shave ready and stropping all at once. I think I bit off a bit more than I could chew.
I've only had about 12 shaves with my dovo, waiting until the weekend and DE shaving through the week. I never once actually enjoyed shaving with the dovo, only the excitement was appealing. The shaves were pretty bad except for the cheeks and later the upper lip got easier too. I was forever doubting my technique and the sharpness of the blade. I did get it honed by a pro, but still I felt it wasn't sharp enough, or smooth/sharp for a comfortable shave. I didn't want to start honing it in case my lack of skills really messed it up.
So, I thought to my self, how can I learn the technique and train my left hand without worrying about the sharpness?
well, I bought a cheep shavette off the bay and loaded a half Astra blade an gave it a try today. I got a couple weepers on my hot spot area, just between the lower lip and chin, and a small bloodless nick on the bottom of my chin but apart from that, it was a good shave. Not a DFS, but good anyway. If this was a real straight, this would be my eureka moment and the penny would have dropped. I don't need any touch ups with a DE and although I can feel a little burn on the neck, it and I did a pretty good job.
So in conclusion, I think my dovo is not shave ready at all. If I could get this good a shave from it I'd be over the moon. I guess I've got a long way to go with my honing skills. I recently got two 66's and spent 3 hours on Friday honing one until it took the hair off my leg without making a sound, but it wouldn't pass the hanging hair test. It was trying. It was skipping on the blade edge when I pulled it towards the root, but it just would catch and cut.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my thoughts and a couple of pics of the shavette. It cost about $3 delivered. I'm going to use it for more practice and try to improve my prep, lather and technique. In the mean time, I can hone away on the gold dollar without worrying about it.
I started shaving with a straight razor at the end of December. I haven't had enough practice as I should, and I threw myself into learning to hone, restoring vintage blades and trying to keep my dovo shave ready and stropping all at once. I think I bit off a bit more than I could chew.
I've only had about 12 shaves with my dovo, waiting until the weekend and DE shaving through the week. I never once actually enjoyed shaving with the dovo, only the excitement was appealing. The shaves were pretty bad except for the cheeks and later the upper lip got easier too. I was forever doubting my technique and the sharpness of the blade. I did get it honed by a pro, but still I felt it wasn't sharp enough, or smooth/sharp for a comfortable shave. I didn't want to start honing it in case my lack of skills really messed it up.
So, I thought to my self, how can I learn the technique and train my left hand without worrying about the sharpness?
well, I bought a cheep shavette off the bay and loaded a half Astra blade an gave it a try today. I got a couple weepers on my hot spot area, just between the lower lip and chin, and a small bloodless nick on the bottom of my chin but apart from that, it was a good shave. Not a DFS, but good anyway. If this was a real straight, this would be my eureka moment and the penny would have dropped. I don't need any touch ups with a DE and although I can feel a little burn on the neck, it and I did a pretty good job.
So in conclusion, I think my dovo is not shave ready at all. If I could get this good a shave from it I'd be over the moon. I guess I've got a long way to go with my honing skills. I recently got two 66's and spent 3 hours on Friday honing one until it took the hair off my leg without making a sound, but it wouldn't pass the hanging hair test. It was trying. It was skipping on the blade edge when I pulled it towards the root, but it just would catch and cut.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my thoughts and a couple of pics of the shavette. It cost about $3 delivered. I'm going to use it for more practice and try to improve my prep, lather and technique. In the mean time, I can hone away on the gold dollar without worrying about it.