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Hello all,
I'm a newbie to the forum and looking to change things up from DE shaving. I was wondering what your thoughts are on going the Feather AC SS route or go straight to straight razor? I'm leaning towards SR and was looking at this razor, and if it's a good quality beginner razor I might go that route.
Thanks
Wapienica SFK (5/8") - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
If it's in the classifieds its probably a good razor. Know wapis have been spoken of alot so a search would get info. From a de you only have to learn the razor use and stopping. A shavette is essentially using a de blade so I wouldn't see the point in using the same blade just a different way. JMOI
That's what I was thinking as well and why I'm leaning toward the SR.
I also didn't want to spend too much for my first straight hence the classifieds .
The classified section is a great place to start, it's where I got my first straight. I would for sure go that route over a shavette, as mentioned above it a step away (and above) from disposable blades. You need to look into a strop also to keep that razor shave ready:) c
I have both straights and a Weck sextoblade. I often use the Weck for trips, because it is less stuff to take. Otherwise I stick with the straight. With a straight you also need a strop, so if money is tight it could be a factor. Another plus in the shavette is that you don't need to have them honed or buy hones or learn to strop. But they are not the same. I enjoy stropping and different strops. I love all of my straights and hones and honing. For me it is the process and not just the shave. It is a beautiful thing to take and old straight razor and fix it up and hone it and then shave with a 100 to 200 year old straight razor. So it kind of depends where you are as to which way to go.
Hello Reefer,
I'm a newbie too. I spent so much time researching, contemplating etc. on shavette vs. straight razor. I searched eBay, the classifieds, antique shops and craigslist, as well as the classifieds for a straight razor. If you do decide to get a straight, just wait until the right deal comes along here on the classifieds. You'll find a good deal on a razor that has likely been honed by someone who has experience in straight razors.
That said, I decided to purchase a Feather SS fixed handle. For me, the thought of a traditional straight razor was cool, nostalgic, etc. But the investment needed, and time required to learn to strop, hone etc became too much for a busy professional with two young kids. Plus when I travel, I can just take my feather with a fresh razor and soap/bursh, and not worry about a strop, or damaging my blade during transport. Some day, I may change my mind an get a straight razor anyway.
I don't regret my decision to purchase a feather one bit. I got mine on amazon, and purchased the professional blades. Lucky for me, I only purchased one package of 20 blades, but was shipped 9 packages of 20 blades...enough to get me through 5 plus years of shaving! The feather professional blades are crazy sharp. My first shave with 3 passes took over 25 minutes. I made sure to take my time. The second shave took about 20 minutes. My third shave took less than 15. With each shave not only did I gain confidence, but I noticed the blade was much more forgiving. I'm not sure why, but others have said the same thing.
Others will tell you to get a traditional straight razor...that's fine. For me, I purchased the feather, and I have no regrets. I would highly recommend it.
I went shavette, before straight. And just recently picked up D.E. If shavettes taught me anything, it was taking my time. Seriously exposed half of a D.E. blade deserves respect. The weight and handeling are not the same as a straight, or a DE for that matter. As stated above, some folks prefer shavettes. Doesn't really matter if you end up trying everything, anyway?
Thanks for all the info! The honing aspect is one part that worries me a little about the straight. From what I read online, as long as I strop it properly I should only have to hone it once a year? Does the quality of the strop affect the time between honing the razor?
It is true that you may get some very long stretches between honings with the use of a pasted strop and a regular strop. Once you get a genuine strop it is really more about the hand than the strop. At the price that guys hone for these days, it is not a major expense. At twice a year it is likely the same cost as blades, but I'm guessing there. It is not that hard, you just need to pay attention.
There is honing and maintenance. A barbers hone or finishing stone would last forever and unless you damaged the edge you should be good for a long time. The trick is a little regularly. Touch up with a couple passes as soon as the edge starts lagging. You don't need to bevel set thats already done you are just straightening and refining the edge again andvit only takes a little.
I guess it's all part of the experience/learning curve. Thanks again for the insight
I don't have any experience shaving myself with a shavette. I do with a straight, and that wapi in the classifieds has metal scales. It will make it more difficult to use because of the balance. I would find another in the classifieds that suits your taste to learn with.
i think go straight to a straight. Why.. you end there in a while, so why not straight to the ultimate goal
I have been at this a couple months now, I went from shavette to straight and what a difference! The straight is more forgiving. Not to say I have not knicked myself with a SR because I have just not as often or as bad. That said the shavette taught me quickly to slow down and pay attention. I have a cheap shavette I think it is made by Magic or that might be the brand name. But looking back I would go with the straight right away if I had to start over. I would recommend a 3" strop if you can swing it makes stropping process a bit easier IMHO. And I got myself a treat when I started and went right to a new blade and everything, like an early Christmas and looking back there did I need to? No but that is what I wanted. I would offer one last piece of insight, from me newb perspective I would say go round point. There have been a few times that if I had a spike point or the like I would have more leaks than I would have liked. Anyway best of luck and shave on
I just ordered a sight unseen flawed SR and poor man's strop from whipped dog. I have heard many good things about Larry and his razors and for the price its a nice option to get into the game if so to speak. All in was just over $50 and it will show up shave ready. Just a thought hope it helps you.
Another option also is a vintage weck sextoblade. You can use modern hair shaper blades in it. Then you can find nos weck blades that are carbon steel which can be sharpened and stropped. So it's a razor that will evolve with you.
I would be OK with using a Feather AC type razor, but NOT a Shavette type. They are two entirely different beasts.
Shavettes are mostly made from bent sheet metal and hold half of a DE blade which can be bought pre-snapped into halves or you can take a regular DE blade and break it in half yourself. These razors are for hairdressers/barbers for trimming and or shaving the nape of the neck. It is possible to shave with them of course, but nicks would be easy to come by.
The Feather razors are very solid, their blades are incredibly sharp and they stay that way for some time, and they are actually shaped for shaving.. My Professional Super blades have a slight smile to them and rounded corners.
I started with the Feather razor, but then ended up going the traditional straight razor route, honing and all. It wasn't easy for me, but I eventually got the hang of it. Illness knocked me out of the game for about 5 years and I hit some speed bumps when I came back, but I'm happy to report my muscle memory on the hones have come back to me and my shaves are comfortable again.
If you decide to go the Feather route, it does require a very light touch vs traditional straights. Traditional straights also tug a bit more while shaving, nothing uncomfortable, just it's there.... the Feather just silently lops your beard off, and, I found after an extended period, my skin actually became very thin... absorbing aftershaves and the like much quicker than normal.
There are other brands such as the Kai of which I have no experience with, and some other mentioned that again, I have no experience with. I went all in with the honing and stropping and razor collecting... If you seriously just want to shave.... a Feather might be the way to go.
Regards
Christian
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaptain_zero
Interesting, I always thought that the straight would be a "smoother" shave then any shavette, including the Feather. It's a reason I was leaning towards the straight rather than the Feather
A straight would provide a smoother shave but may have more resistance during use. Keen and smooth can be very different
I switched from DE to straights. Shavettes made me nervous. I bought one anyway, thinking I'd give it a try some day, but I haven't yet. Still makes me nervous, haha.
I have a feather ss, but just purchased a straight yesterday. I'm still very new to wet shaving, but like it so much, I decided to get a straight too. It needs to be honed, and I need a strop. I'll report back once I have a shave ready blade.