Okay, I got a shavette a month or so ago. I’ve been dutifully shaving with it (new razors every shave) and consequently losing what seems like a pint of the red vino every time.
Yes, I don’t actually spring a geyser every time (I was being hyperbolic), but I do manage to knick myself somehow. As an FYI, I’m shaving every other day.
So, I implore you, my fair dopers, share your tips.
And no, I’m not giving up an going back to the Mach3.
You’re pressing too hard. Cheap disposable razors (and the Mach3) make it really easy to act like you’re raking leaves on a fall day, and it’s a hard habit to break.
What kind of soap and brush do you have? Get rid of the canned stuff, it sucks and I hate it. You need a thick lather, and hot pliable whiskers. Shaving after a shower is best for that reason. I use a hockey puck of glycerine soap in a mug. It looks like the shavette uses disposable razors, so it’s not like your blade is dull.
Go over to Badger & Blade- there are a lot of straight razor users over there who can give you lots of tips.
I don’t know enough about straights to really say… if you had a double-edged razor, I’m your man though.
I think you are right. I’m trying to press lightly, but I think years of using safety razors is going to be hard to over come.
As to lathering, I have oil, which I put on first and then a shaving cream that is mentholated. That’s after I either shower or apply hot hand towels to my face.
I have a 1955 Gillette Fat Boy I shave with, and that thing will rape my face if I press too hard. One of these days I’ll get a real straight razor, with leather strop and sharpening stones. badgerandblade.com is a wealth of information for shaving old-skool style.