Hello fellow wet shavers!
I'm a student in Nice working part time, as a result I'm pretty broke (no point lying about it). Since moving to the South of France I've discovered a taste for the finer things (despite my low budget), jazz, classic cars, suits, and more importantly Straight Razors.
For the last 3 or 4 years I haven't been wet shaving even though that's how I started shaving originally, but as so many of you, cartridge razors don't really appeal to me (yes even the Super-mega-maxi-nuclearpowered-fusion-proglide-ultrasoft-extramanly ones).
I've been lurking around B&B, YouTube, and so many other Straight razor websites for the last couple of weeks. I really want to get a straight razor, unfortunately I can't afford one right now. I decided to order a Parker Shavette SR1/31R off Amazon, along with a pack of derby blades and soap, and an Edwin Jagger Brush, and of course created an account on B&B to seek the advice of many of you wise shavers.
I understand that shavettes are very different from straight razors, but it seemed the most affordable way to begin.
After about a weeks worth of waiting, checking my mailbox twice a day, and watching endless Shavette, Straight Shave, Lather,etc. videos and reading many of the threads on here. I finally received my Parker SR1, honestly, I was not disappointed, I saw and read reviews of this shavette, and for 14,90 (20$) it's great value for money.
Now to the good part, my first shave with my new friend Parker, 2 passes WTG.
Did all the prep: hot shower + hot towel. Didn't have pre shave oil :(.
Took me a while to get the lather going in a bowl. Once it was right, I applied it, all good, but after a while it just started drying out. I imagine standard Derby Shaving Soap isn't exactly a reference for all those with an SSAD.
Got a nick on the side of the cheek first time I put blade-to-skin (great start right?), but after that i was very careful and no more blood was spilt.
I mainly have trouble with the left side of my face (I'm right handed), so I did it holding the razor like a Japanese Blade. Beneath the chin seems to be IMPOsSIBLE WTG for me.
Next the moustache area? How long/many shaves before I risk that? Any tips?
End result was a great first shave (to me), skin is baby smooth from the ears to beneath the mouth (except for a nick), not as soft beneath the jawline.
So these I guess would me my questions for all of you wise gentlemen:
-Should I start using my left hand straight in to the next shave? Or is it better to get a sense of the angle of the blade, and strokes with my right before butchering the left side of my face? Or is there a way to do it with my right?
-Any tips to shave the spot right beneath the chin, and the neck without Sweeney-Todding myself ?? I've tried stretching the skin in every direction, no can do.
-I'm willing to put time in to this, great experience, I'm just curious about how long it might take people to achieve consistently good shaves with a shavette?
-I've seen the Edwin Jagger soap, and pre shave (sandalwood), love the smell, are they any good ?
Sorry this post is so long, just had the most enjoyable shave of my life and was eager to share.
Thanks for all the help you've all put in to this site.