Did I get the wrong Razor?

Hi All,
Thought I'd share my experience with you. For years I have been using cartridge safety razors with cans of shaving gel, and a year or so ago I got a Merkur Futur brushed adjustable razor, together with a cheep brush and a pot of shaving soap, and I have been using that on and off for the past year.

I thought it's about time for a change, so I've been looking at straight razors for a few weeks now. Watching the videos on you tube and reading forums I purchased an Edwin Jagger (super Badger Hair) brush, Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap, various creams from Proraso, including cut healing cream and a Shavette with a pack of double edge blades. My thoughts were, see what a straight razor feels like, and if I don't get on with it at least I have a good brush and care products to use with my Merkur Futur.

My question is does a shavette replicate a straight razor? if it does, I may seriously think about giving up, I have only had a few shaves and half the tube of cut healing cream has been used up already.

Should I have gone for a straight razor and not a shavette? or should I persevere and perfect my technique? (and get another tube of cut healing cream)

Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

IMO get a real straight razor.a SR and what your using are two different animals. I would but a cheap Dovo thats honed by a professional and give it an honest shot. It's not much money and if you later decide you don't like it you can always sell the Dovo and recoup some of your investment.

I totally agree with Tsunamis opinion.

I have been shaving with straights for a year now. To try "the feeling of a straight" I bought an Italian Shavette (Vanta) before starting with straights. I had really bad cuts from using it. Never cut myself that way with a straight razor. Shavette and straight razor are two different shavers, that require different abilities. Keep in mind that DE-Blades do not have a flexible edge.

++1 on the advice in the previous posts.

Get a real straight--either a Dovo "Best Quality" or a low-cost vintage straight razor from the SRP Classifieds that has been honed.

I tried the Shavette and I found it to be pretty darn difficult. I did manage to battle my way through a three pass shave but it took over 90 minutes!! I remember thinking to myself that straights had to be easier. Then I got the Feather RG and I found it easier to use than the Shavette. I am still an absolute beginner with straights (first shave today) but I am guessing that the heavier and larger razor will be easier to control.

I still wonder how these shavers would be rated by an experienced shaver. Would he, for example, be able to whiz around his face with any of the three types of razors or would he also consider the Shavette to be a bit tricky?

I tried a shavette once and as I recall I could of done better with a piece of broken glass! lol

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Originally Posted by Tsunami

IMO get a real straight razor.a SR and what your using are two different animals. I would but a cheap Dovo thats honed by a professional and give it an honest shot. It's not much money and if you later decide you don't like it you can always sell the Dovo and recoup some of your investment.

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he said it perfectly :) try out that advice and see how you feel!

I started using a shavette and found it quite difficult. The blades are very sharp and unforgiving. I had many cuts some pretty bad. When I strated using a conventional straight I had very few cuts and an overall better experience.

Wow... reading this I'm glad I never did the shavette thing.

You may want to try Larry's site for a (really) cheap but very usable razor. You'll find his stuff at whippeddog.com.

Best of luck,


Marcos

Since you are in the UK Steve at the Invisible Edge, or Neil Miller would probably be the first places I would check... you can find both in the Vendors forum

+1 to whipped dog, a great way to try a straight at an inexpensive price.

I bought a shavette before buying my first real straight, figuring it would be a better way to learn since i don't have to strop or maintain a blade with a shavette. Now that I've been straight shaving for a while I decided a few weeks ago to try the shavette out again, BIG mistake , I got sliced more in one shave with the shaveette then I have in the last month with a straight. I eventually figured out the technique for the shavette, but it's not worth the extra effort IMHO when I get a fun, comfortable and close shave with my straights.. I don't even mind stropping, I find it relaxing actually :)

The shavette is not very forgiving IMHO and while you CAN learn the technique for using it, it's far easier to use an actual straight (notice that I say "easier" and I am NOT saying "easy". There IS a learning curve with a straight razor and it will take time to learn.., but it's well worth learning IMHO, don't go thinking its going to be better then your Mekur first day, it won't ......but with perseverence and patience it will eventually be the best shave of your life :) )

Right, what they all said,get a real straight,you'll be much happier

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Since you are in the UK Steve at the Invisible Edge, or Neil Miller would probably be the first places I would check... you can find both in the Vendors forum

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+1... Buying locally may be the most economical option.

Thanks you all so much for your sound advice.

I am going to go on the Invisible Edge web site to pick out a SE razor

I'll let you all know how I get on in a few weeks time

Thanks

Don't forget that you need a strop too. Steve has some good beginners kits there and is generally a great guy to communicate with if you've got any specific questions.

after shaving with straights for a year and a half, I took the dovo shavette and put in a new blade. It was terrible, don't know why I bought the thing except I was curious. I think I'll put it up on the bay. Too many cuts and burned. I used proper straight technique, light touch, everything but hated the shave.

Enjoy!!

Where can I buy one of these Vanta Razors? I know I am off topic, but looking for help finding it. Preferably in the United States, but I'll take anything.