Thread: The Feather 'no sharpen' Straight Razor...

Try a barber who uses only straight razors to getta "feel" for the angles..they will differ slightly but so long as you get the angle n light pressure going you will be fine ;-)

PcDad

let me clarify.. i love my artist club.. i get amazing shaves.. i have no intentions of learning to strop, hone, and whatever else.. it's just not my style.. maybe that will change in the future.. but for now.. i enjoy the convenience of having a great shave with minimal maintenance.

I started with a Parker replaceable blade, and had to learn how to shave all over again when I moved to straights. My advice, do what's best for your face and budget. Just remember there's a learning curve with both types, and there WILL be blood.

I started with a Dovo Shavette and the shave was harsh, compared to my ameture honeing with a straight even. but it definitely gave me a humble respect for the art. I get good shaves with both now and its nice not to have to strop sometimes

I found it easier to shave with a straight razor then a shavette. I also didnt cut myself with the straight opposed to the shavette which I always seem to cut myself at least once every shave. the straight also gives a better shave IMO

Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

If I didn't need to have a Feather Razor for my work, then I don't think I would have one. I have shaved with it though. I call it the Ol' Face Saw. IMO, go with a Dovo from SRD.

Why do you need a Feather for your work?

I grabbed a Dovo shavette in my last SRD order - just wanted to give it a try and see what they were all about. Having used it solely for about 2 weeks now, I think I can give a reasonable opinion on these. Its the matt stainless one, using standard DE blades as I had a lot of leftovers from my DE days.

They are what I would call a straight-razor-LIKE razor - in other words, it kind of looks like a straight razor, has a single blade, and thats about where the similarities end.

The balance of the shavette is backwards - on a standard straight, the blade is usually the heaviest part, with the scales balancing the blade. The shavette on the other hand has its weight in the "scales" and the "blade" is almost completely weightless - in fact, the whole thing is pretty weightless. Initially I had to really think about/concentrate on my technique, whereas with a standard straight it kind of just "drives" itself.

For my first shave I used the Dovo blade that came with the razor. I ditched that after the second shave and went to an Astra. The shave on the Astra wasnt bad but not perfect either, and I did what most people say not to do which is use a feather blade - beautiful (well for me at least - I am not someone who has ever had issues with feathers being too sharp). I had a tendency with any of the blades to get a couple weepers on my neck area, so I was probably a little heavy on the pressure, which doesnt usually happen on a real straight.

Its still not a straight, even thought it looks kinda like one, and it certainly doesnt walk and talk like a standard straight. I think the best use for these is where someone only has one straight razor, is struggling to strop/maintain their razor, and doesnt want to stop "muscle learning" by going back to a DE or cartridges while their straight is out for service. This would allow them to keep shaving in a similar manner to how a standard straight razor is used.

Personally, I wouldnt use these when travelling, as most of the time when travelling I am either on holiday or away from family for work, and generally have all the time in the world for a proper shave.

At the price they cant be beaten if thats what you are looking for.

Hope that helps someone.

I also picked up the Dovo Shavette from SRD. But I also got the green insert and bought some persona blades from the local beauty supply. The persona are a longer blade similar to what a straight is.

I found it also very sharp, and much harsher to the face than my straights. I received a few cuts that I know I would not have received with the straight.

Test over, I think I'll be sending it along to ebay.....

I did not find this useful as an alternative. If I wanted a break from straights, I think better would be my DE.

I don't disagree with anything that has been posted here about using a Shavette, but there should be one additional point made. A Feather AC and a Shavette are similar in concept but totally different in execution. I think they both have their place, but you should not consider them to be interchangeable (in terms of the experience using them).

Originally Posted by JohnnyCakeDC

If I didn't need to have a Feather Razor for my work, then I don't think I would have one. I have shaved with it though. I call it the Ol' Face Saw. IMO, go with a Dovo from SRD.

I call mine the "Weed-Eater".