Thread: Shavette and straight razor

Hello Everybody;

I have been shaving with a shavette and moving to a straight razor soon.

For what I read, I would guess that the shavette baldes are sharper and the shave is a more trouble free experience (maintenance, cost, etc)

What is the motivation to move to a straight razor then?

Thanks and forgive me if the answer is an obvious one but I am new.

Everyone will have their own reasons. Some will prefer shavettes. Some prefer straights. Anyway reasons:

An experienced straight razor user will have no problem for the most part in using a shavette, not the other way round.
The SR user learns stropping, honing and general maintanance.
The shavette has no soul and no sex factor.
The SR is a piece of history, old tradition the way our grandfathers and before used to shave.
SR shaving is 100% BAD ASS.

Thanks for the replay.

So is it safe to say that to use a SR is a matter of sex appeal and that if we wanted to be practical and still get an excellent shave we would go for a shavette type of razor?

I own both straights and a Feather system. I like the Feather for it's purpose, but my straights are both more forgiving and a better shave.

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

Thanks for the replay.

So is it safe to say that to use a SR is a matter of sex appeal and that if we wanted to be practical and still get an excellent shave we would go for a shavette type of razor?

You can get great shaves with DEs SEs shavettes or SRs. I would say shavettes are more practical than SRs but there is something about purchasing a blade and maintaining it through the years, you will grow an attachment/sentiment to them you will not get with souless shavettes. IMO DEs are the most practical.
Anyway just my opinions YMMV.

You will see the difference when you put some badass sharp cold steel on your face

Moving to the practical from the sexy and macho, SRs given a smoother, closer and generally longer lasting shave than either shavettes or DEs. However, they take skill to shave with (which they all do) AND to maintain properly. If you a person who is always rushing, get a DE or a shavette (although rushing with either can lead to problems), but if you want to enjoy an experience, rather than just cleaning your face off, a SR is for you...even if you only use it on weekends, which I do when working or traveling.

It's really not about style, it's about the experience!

Originally Posted by Icarusflies

For what I read, I would guess that the shavette baldes are sharper and the shave is a more trouble free experience (maintenance, cost, etc)

That's odd. Did you read that here ?

The shavette is definitely more trouble free but only sharper if the straight razor is not high quality & optimally honed.
Of course not everyone can optimise a razor so it comes back to the maintenance thing rather than the sharpness.

I started with the SR and pickep up a shavette for travel. They are sharper but I still prefer the feel of the SR. I also enjoy the maintenance that goes with them. I find the entire experience relaxing

thank you guys for all the replays, it helps.