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There's a saying that it takes 100 open blade shaves to become proficient at it, so don't expect the awkwardness to go away immediately.
May I ask what kind of shavette you got? Of it's one that takes DE blades (full or half), those are asking the more difficult open blade razors to learn to handle.
Will still be using it. Just giving some thoughts after a few weeks
I see ๐
I have a similar one. The awkwardness will go away
Did you try a blade sampler pack? I find the feel of the blade to be way more pronounced than in a safety, especially anywhere sensitive. I tend toward much less aggressive blade in the shavette.
I've never heard of a blade sample pack.
I got one like first thing. How did you settle on a blade?
I just picked one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089ZVQM3J?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Damn, gurl.
You can try something like this https://www.amazon.ca/Double-Edge-Razor-Blade-Sample/dp/B01N6EEZ60
In your regional equivalent.
Derbys were all the rage when I started shaving but I personally didnโt like them.
Feather are my go-to these days.
There are possibly a few pararmeters here:
What kind of shavette do you have, and what blades does it take (artist club, half DE, other)?
What is your technique? Do you use both hands, or only one? You might want to toy around a bit.
Is your lather wet enough? DE razors are more forgiving than open blades.
As djundjila said, it will take time to get fully proficient.
As to result, I don't find that shavettes have better or closer shaves (unless you need to get rid of weeks or months of growth), but they are more fun (for me).
I use this shavette.
I use one hand and about as much lather as i typically use as with my safety razor
I don't know that shavette, but it's worth noting that not all shavettes are created equal, and that most shavettes are designed for hair stylists and don't work well for shaving.
IME, a product like what grandparent said, the Feather Artist Club, are designed specifically for shaving (vs shaping hair, or shaving the back of the neck) and it makes an enormous difference. They're on the pricey side, but worth it. The Artist Club razors are also excellent, and one model is a safety razor blade which makes shaving more comfortable.
As I said, I can't speak to the one you have, but I'd guess they took a stylist's shavette and paired it with some shaving gear to market it to shavers. I've had one of those back-clip style shavettes and did not find it acceptable - but your's could be different. One give-away is that they're showing using it with snapped safety razors. Notice that the corners of the blades are sharp angles:
Compare that to the Artist Club's rounded corners:
These are much more forgiving, and much less likely to catch and cut you (pictured are the safety version, but the regular Artist Club blades also have rounded corners). You could also try these blades in your shavette, or find safety razors blades with rounded corners. That alone will improve your shave from your current shavette.
If you're having trouble with it, though, consider getting a shavette designed for face shaving, from a reputable company.
Excellent explainer ๐
I don't know the model, but that's a DE shavette. I much prefer Artist Club blades - which are longer, and much stiffer (and mrre expensive, also for the blades).
As for technique, you can look for our own Greg Gallant on youtube - or also Shave and Butcher, if you want a free dad joke with the shave.
It can take some getting used to, but I can shave in under 30 seconds once the lather is on my face. I don't shave everything, just lining up the beard line, but a full face shave would take about a minute and a half tops. Pulling the skin taut with your off hand helps. Play around with how you hold it too. I typically fold my handle almost all the way around so I can control the tilt with more precision. Go slow until you naturally go fast. You'll naturally speed up with practice.
shavette razor - some thoughts
I will defiantly keep it up a bit more