Thread: shavette shaves much better than straight razor (my experience)...what to do???

Originally Posted by JMS

I agree but the one option you forget is that RazorStudent may just prefer shavettes

Yes, he certainly may prefer a shavette however if someone says his electric razor (or any other type) shaves better than a straight, preference aside I would still say his razor or his skills aren't up to snuff if that is his experience with the caveat that unless there is something unusual about his facial features or some other peculiarity then of course it's possible to do better with another means.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes, he certainly may prefer a shavette however if someone says his electric razor (or any other type) shaves better than a straight, preference aside I would still say his razor or his skills aren't up to snuff if that is his experience with the caveat that unless there is something unusual about his facial features or some other peculiarity then of course it's possible to do better with another means.

I never said i prefer the shavette. I said that when i compare the shaving between the shavette and the straight, the shavette gives a better shave. I think it has to do with the sharpness of the straight. And because i do not have that much experencie I wanted to hear some opinions here.

I do want to shave with the straight razor but the shavette does shave much better. That's the problem .

Learn to strop....

I know that sounds harsh (pun intended) but the real advantage of a straight razor is the ability to "dial" in the edge everyday... You do that on a strop... machined blades use a coating ie: Teflon.. SR blades are burnished to shaving perfection on the strops...

This answer assumes that the razor starts out as "Truly Shave Ready"

Originally Posted by RazorStudent

I never said i prefer the shavette. I said that when i compare the shaving between the shavette and the straight, the shavette gives a better shave. I think it has to do with the sharpness of the straight. And because i do not have that much experencie I wanted to hear some opinions here.

I do want to shave with the straight razor but the shavette does shave much better. That's the problem .

When I first started, my DE shaved MUCH better than my straights. No matter how well I did with a straight, I had to clean up with my DE.

Now that is not the case. Why?

1. I learned to prep my beard like a straight wants.
2. I learned to build a lather like a straight wants.
3. I learned to strop well and consistently - I can't overemphasize this one enough.
4. I learned the techniques, angles and pressures like a straight wants.
5. My skin broke in for a straight.

Now I know that you are using a Shavette, but this still holds true. It was always me and not the equipment. I didn't know if I could ever beat the DE while using a straight - but one day it all came together and I'm glad I stuck it out. You will be too.

I think nothing unusual in your post.
At first your razor has to be true shave ready.
if your blade is not shave ready you will have uncomfortable shave.
In the other hand if you do have true shave ready blade it will take time you to learn how to use to get similar result as shavette.
You skills needs to get better using scything motion, not to shave against the grain etc.
Not every single striaght razor out there will take shavette sharpness.
you will need to count in.
Just try at fist get shave ready blade then be patient . Learn how to use properly.
I know you could ask why i don't need to learn how to use Shavette but i need to learn straight razor?
Answer is Shavette you use 1 or 2 times and get rid of it.
Striaght is for use years to come.
hope this helps.

Originally Posted by RazorStudent

Thank you everybody for your posts. I have a few questions to maybe make things more clear!

Do the shavette and the straight razor have the same way of using (or almost?) Because with the shavette its no problem at all to have a good clean shave. And if i use the straight razor it feels like its "skipping".

I then assume that it's all about the sharpness of my blade. I didn't hone it, just took it a few times over the leather belt. I don't have any honing experience and here in Holland i don't know any "honing masters".

If using the shavette is verry different than using a straight razor the problem might be the shaving technique.

Any more toughts? Thanks!

With the additional info ... Skipping.... Yep it is dull.

You are not far from the home of Belgian Coticule water hones.
Visit Welcome to Coticule.be - home of the famous Belgian Coticule Whetstone and see if there is someone
that can help you hone your razor the first time. Perhaps some
folk here are near and can help.

A good sharp blade will almost wipe whiskers
off at the same time you wipe off lather.
The angle will be different but you can feel the
shave and adjust as needed.

Skipping can have two sources.

• the razor catching whiskers but not cutting them
• the razor needs more lubrication from the lather.

If the razor is skipping, I'm thinking it isn't sharp enough. Check out the member services in the classifieds and try to find a honemeister near you and get that thing sharpened correctly.

Another lesson is to use your shavette to the point that you know
that it is dull as you can stand.
Judging a razor to be dull is the flip side of judging a razor to be sharp
and is just as difficult.