Thread: A word of caution for beginners starting with a shavette for the first time

I thought I would share this in case there is a beginner considering using a shavette that uses the hair shaper blades for their first straight razor shave. I've been shaving with straights for over 5 years now and just experienced something new. The other reason I wanted to share this is because my barber just told me they had a customer's mother came in and asked them to order a shavette and blades for her son, but later said he gave it up because he cut himself too bad. Now that I've had the following experience, I wanted any beginners to hear this in hopes they try a regular straight before a shavette.

We had an extremely busy summer at my work which is just now beginning to slow down a little. Since I was a little short on free time to hone a razor, I thought I had a bright idea and would order a shavette and blades so I could continue shaving with a straight. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it is my opinion the blades are too sharp to use for shaving the face. I wouldn't have thought there was such a thing as too sharp, but like I said,it's been 5 years I've been using a straight with only an occasional weeper every now and then. Since I started using the shavette, I think I've had at least one weeper with every shave. The cheeks are usually fine, but always see blood anywhere else. It's almost like they are so sharp that they will shave skin along with whiskers. We just began slowing down in the last month which left me some time to hone a razor this past weekend. When I shaved with one of my normal straights this morning, I realized how UNFORGIVING the shavette is. The other issue with the shavette is razor burn. Don't get me wrong though, you will get an extremely close shave on the very first pass, but make sure you don't make a second pass because you will wind up with razor burn. I don't think I would even try a WTG pass followed by an ATG pass. All in all, it is my opinion a traditional straight is forgiving while the shavette with hair shaper blades are not the least bit forgiving.

Anyway,with all this said, I would be interested if anyone has had any similar experiences. I just don't want to see someone interested in shaving with a straight to be discouraged because of a bad experience with the unforgiving hair shaper blades.

I started with a dovo shavette and would have to agree they are not forgiving. They also seem to require a greater angle than a straight razor. It was a steep learning curve for me, but I can still use it ad get a DFS. Wouldn't go for a BBS though, as that would be pushing my luck.

My only experience with shavettes has been at the local barbershop. They use them at the end of your haircut on the back of your neck and none of the girls know how to use them properly. Tons of pressure, they only use pre-shave oil, and almost at a carving angle. lol ouch!

Used a Bluebeard's Revenge shavette with both Feather and Derby blades. Feather lacerated my face with at least 1 spot of blood each time (21 individual nicks or cuts after my first every use) and Derby didn't quite work for me.

Very thick arms that hold the blade in place and an ultra thin sheet of metal as the razor with seemingly no bevel or good way to guide it around your face tends to lead to a lot of pain for little benefit. I started in March, stopped by April, tried a few times in August and September then just stepped up to buying my own straights/kamisoris (own one of each which are shaveable, both dull when bought, self honed to shave ready) and have hurt myself much, much less yet had better shaves.

Currently loving my kamisori and wondering whether to bother getting the 3" wide hones in the future as I am preferring the kamisori to the straights... and have a bad desire to purchase more natural stones after purchasing my Chinese hone and polishing it up to 1k grit W&D.

I started with a Dovo Shavette and have many of the same feelings as others here, and almost the same experiences as well. I did find it to be a fine learning tool in tandem with an Alum Block. The first couple of shaves were a LOT of burn and a great learning lesson as far as pressure goes. What I can say, however, is that even though the general theme is the same, the devil is in the details. Shave angles with the shavette need to be steeper for sure, and pressure even lighter than with a straight. Compounded by the difference in weight, even now I need a few shaves to get used to it again. I find that a real SE razor is considerably more forgiving, but I still enjoy my shavette from time to time. Blade choice is the key to the shavette, much like stropping technique varies from person to person and razor to razor....much is the same with the blade one uses.

What does it mean when your lather turns pink?

I had been shaving with a str8 for about 4 years when I first tried a shavette type razor. I figured it would come in handle for travel, yea, right. Worst shave of my life! Felt like I used a cheese grater........won't do that to myself again. Couldn't shave again for several days because I had to wait for my face to heal. I'll stick with a real str8 razor.

Shavettes are indeed less forgiving than a normal straight. You have to use an even lighter touch with them to prevent razor burn and cuts. Also, stretching the skin is an absolute MUST with shavettes even more so than with straights. One thing is for sure though, you will not get a closer shave than with a fresh blade in a shavette. The thing is, sometimes it is best to forego closeness in favor of comfort. When I use my Feather DX Pro I pretty much let the blade almost float above my skin, there is so little pressure. When I do that, I get a very nice, close shave that is comfortable.

These days I much prefer my straights for the consistant easy comfort and my Feather DX for travelling and the convenience.

I have 4 shavettes, each with different blades in them (all blades & shavettes cheapest on ebay). I, too shredded my face on the first shave.
However, I was fine by the very second shave & have had no issues ever since. I always get baby smooth & no more than a single nick, if that.
I'm getting my first actual straight in march for my b'day so I'm going to have to opposite experience; after using shavettes for 3 years, I'm moving to the grown-up table.
I think, based on what you're all saying, the straight is going to seem like shaving with a butter knife in comparison. (Famous last words - I'll probably carve myself like a roast dinner the first time i use it).
Maybe shavettes are better for beginners because they force quick learning "or else". Then move on to the real deal.
Bottom line: with no straight razor experience for comparison, I think the shavette is a great tool, a steep but rewarding learning curve & gives a great shave.

Originally Posted by Raulski

I have 4 shavettes, each with different blades in them (all blades & shavettes cheapest on ebay). I, too shredded my face on the first shave.
However, I was fine by the very second shave & have had no issues ever since. I always get baby smooth & no more than a single nick, if that.
I'm getting my first actual straight in march for my b'day so I'm going to have to opposite experience; after using shavettes for 3 years, I'm moving to the grown-up table.
I think, based on what you're all saying, the straight is going to seem like shaving with a butter knife in comparison. (Famous last words - I'll probably carve myself like a roast dinner the first time i use it).
Maybe shavettes are better for beginners because they force quick learning "or else". Then move on to the real deal.
Bottom line: with no straight razor experience for comparison, I think the shavette is a great tool, a steep but rewarding learning curve & gives a great shave.

Having had the education you have had with shavettes first, I think you'll do great with straights. Of course the maintenance of straights is a whole other world to learn...

I'm kind of glad to know I'm not the only one with this type of experience. I'm really glad to have started this thread so any beginners reading it will still try a straight if they had a negative experience with a shavette. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!