Thread: Shavette vs DE....any advantages to one or the other?

Hi guys,
I wasnt sure where to post this, so I thought it might be helpful to drop it here.

Is there a distinct advantage to a Shavette over a DE, or it mainly the novelty of straight shaving?
I can sort of see the advantages over a full straight, due to the replaceable blades, but if the DE can do everything as well as a Shavette, why use one other than the fun factor?

I've never used a DE, but have one on order. I'm going to make the move to a DE and full straight if the DE really does everything as well as a Shavette....closeness/comfort etc...
I'm to the point there i'm comfortable with the Shavette, although it is a fierce little sucker. Just looking for experience rather than opinions.

Thanks
Ryan

They will both give wonderful shaves.
To me, the biggest advantages with the disposable straight are the possibility to cut more cleanly along e.g. goatees and sideburns, and the bigger variety in angles of the blades.
It is a bit more challenging when starting out, but the rewards are equally big IMO.

I feel that the main advantage of using a real straight razor over a shavette is that it provides a closer shave and it is more aesthetically pleasing. However a shavette is easier while traveling and if you have one straight razor, you can still have a straight shave while your razor is out getting sharpened if you don't hone it yourself.

I've used all three, a Dovo Shavette, a Merkur HD, and various straights. I get good shaves with all three. You might find the DE easier to get used to than the Shavette. Transitioning from a DE to the Shavette and then on to proper straights is what I did, and it seemed to work.

Originally Posted by ryan2022

Hi guys,
I wasnt sure where to post this, so I thought it might be helpful to drop it here.

Is there a distinct advantage to a Shavette over a DE, or it mainly the novelty of straight shaving?
I can sort of see the advantages over a full straight, due to the replaceable blades, but if the DE can do everything as well as a Shavette, why use one other than the fun factor?

I've never used a DE, but have one on order. I'm going to make the move to a DE and full straight if the DE really does everything as well as a Shavette....closeness/comfort etc...
I'm to the point there i'm comfortable with the Shavette, although it is a fierce little sucker. Just looking for experience rather than opinions.

Thanks
Ryan

I never used either a straight or DE until about this time last year, and find that a DE is a snap to use compared to a straight. The straight razor shave lasts longer, though.

The Shavette took some blood equity for me to learn but I agree it does an outstanding job. A true straight is more forgiving, but you can't use it indefinitely without learning how to maintain the blade.

Ryan, I have the Shavette, four DEs and a couple of straights -- one vintage and one fairly new. I use Fromm blades in the Shavette. Since the blade width of the DE is shorter than either a straight or a Shavette, it may be easier for most people to use -- at first, that is. Its feel would be closer to a cartridge-type razor which many are now used to. Personally, I learned to shave on a Gillette DE and when I returned to DE shaving about six or seven years ago, it was like meeting an old friend. The shaves got better, too! Now the real advantage of the Shavette as I think most would agree, is in not having to strop or hone the blade. When it gets dull, just pop in a new one. But if you try to become comfortable with a straight, you may catch the disease and want to start maintaining the edge yourself. If you're so inclined, it adds to the fun. When you go from a Shavette to a straight, the increased weight of the straight will be an advantage. But the shaving technique is the same so you will transfer that skill smoothly from the Shavette to a straight.

But there's yet another way to look at this. You have the Shavette and have ordered a DE. To some, that might seem backward. If you were new to straight razor shaving, due to the normally lengthy learning curve for a straight, it's a good idea to take it slow at first and shave only smaller portions of your face. If that's the case, using a DE to finish the job is a very good way to do things. That way a newcomer can advance at his own pace yet still look good to the ladies. Er, I mean while out in public. That's the way I did it and I'm glad I did! DE - Shavette -- straight.

It's great that you're willing to try new things, and it sounds like the Shavette is getting comfortable to you. Because of that, you will probably find that moving to a straight will be no problem. And using a DE will likewise be no problem. Try them all! The DE travels much easier than a straight so if that's part of your life, you have the whole ball game covered.

Good luck and keep us posted on your adventures!

Bruce

Thanks guys!

I think I really just want to keep things simple. I really enjoy shaving now, and the shavette is working out nicely.

I'd like to stick to one or two and use them exclusively. I really do enjoy it, but I dont want to invest a ton into the hobby. Just one or two trusted tools and maybe experiment with new shave creme or balm when the time comes.

Thanks for the feedback! this is such a great site.

Ryan

I'm a sucker for all three. I started with a shavette, went to straights, then picked up a DE to mess around with/work on getting my wife to use.
I really like my shavette with personna blades. I switched to a straight after a few months of the shavette but I still use the shavette on my upper lip and to clean up around my beard lines. I also foresee it being a great travel piece. Plus I've lent the shavette out to a few pals who were interested in learning how to shave with a straight.