Second guessing after second shave...

Hey everyone,

I purchased a Dovo Shavette with the interchangeable blades a few days ago to try out straight razor shaving. Although I do enjoy this hobby very much, I am thinking that I should have just went with a real straight razor. After doing some reading, it seems like most have an easier time and less irritation shaving with a real straight razor. I know that I am just a beginner and have a lot to learn, but I just wanted some opinions on whether I should toss the shavette and get the real thing to learn with? If so, what are some recommendations on a good starting straight razor at a decent price (under $100). What else do I need to purchase to maintain the sharpness of the razor?

I started with a replacement blade and then moved to a dovo silver steel and it was like a new world the dovo was alot easier and smoother to shave with. The only thing that you will need extra to use a regular straight is a strop at first. I have read that alot of people like the sight unseen sets at whippeddog they or around fifty and the have a shave ready razor and strop with them. Then all you will need is a hone which you can buy at a later time or just get a couple of razors and send the razors of to be honed at different times until you get a hone and become good at it there is several members in the members service forum that offer honing service.

Get a straight razor for sure. Shavettes aren't going to be that enjoyable from what I've gathered here on the boards. If you want a nice Dovo, SRD has their ebony silver steel 5/8 for $111. Honed free of charge and comes with a certificate for a 2nd free hone.

A great value if you ask me. Oh, yeah, I just bought one myself but won't know how it shaves till I receive the razor. :p

Shavettes are okay, but not great. You need to give yourself some transition time. A Shavette is as sharp as the blade you put into the effort. A straight razor is as sharp as the effort you put into the blade.

Thanks guys for all the help. It seems like I might try a dovo straight razor to start out.

Most guys who use the shavette like them because there is zero maint and no stropping. Everything has trade-offs.

Yes, stropping. Be careful and seek advice prior to ruining the edge of your first straight razor. You may very well guess how I came to learn this lesson. :D

You weren't really clear about what it is with the shavette that has you second guessing your decision. Are the shaves uncomfortable? Do you get cuts and irritation?

If the answer is no and you are still enjoying yourself then what's the hurry. You might even be able to save some money that way, too :). I certainly don't want to dissuade you from buying a real straight, that is not my intention...

BTW - you could always buy a low cost shave ready blade from the classifeds, which would leave plenty of money for a quality strop and perhaps an extra or two. Just a thought.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

You weren't really clear about what it is with the shavette that has you second guessing your decision. Are the shaves uncomfortable? Do you get cuts and irritation?

If the answer is no and you are still enjoying yourself then what's the hurry. You might even be able to save some money that way, too :). I certainly don't want to dissuade you from buying a real straight, that is not my intention...

BTW - you could always buy a low cost shave ready blade from the classifeds, which would leave plenty of money for a quality strop and perhaps an extra or two. Just a thought.

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All of the above. I have tons of irritation and the shave feels uncomfortable. I know this is common with beginners, but I just think a straight razor would be better in the long run. The shavette just doesn't feel like a well built razor.

Just purchased the Dovo "silver steel" straight razor and strop set from Straight Razor Desigs. I hope this will last me a long time! Now I just have to read up on using the strop.Thanks guys for the help.

Stroping will take some time read up on technique in the forum and watch some of the member videos and take your time and learn the right way to do it their is no time limit on how fast you learn it after all it's easier to learn it the right way then to try to go back and try to unlearn the wrong way of doing it. Mostly just take you time go slow and work on technique then add the speed people tend to try to go to fast from the start and then wonder what happened

Ok will do! Thanks

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Originally Posted by Rossi89

Just purchased the Dovo "silver steel" straight razor and strop set from Straight Razor Desigs. I hope this will last me a long time!

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unless if you smack it against the sink, it should outlast you and your offspring! :)

Haha that is good to hear!

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Originally Posted by Rossi89

Hey everyone,

I purchased a Dovo Shavette with the interchangeable blades a few days ago to try out straight razor shaving. Although I do enjoy this hobby very much, I am thinking that I should have just went with a real straight razor. After doing some reading, it seems like most have an easier time and less irritation shaving with a real straight razor. I know that I am just a beginner and have a lot to learn, but I just wanted some opinions on whether I should toss the shavette and get the real thing to learn with? If so, what are some recommendations on a good starting straight razor at a decent price (under $100). What else do I need to purchase to maintain the sharpness of the razor?

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A straight, is more forgiving than a shavette. However if you can shave with a disposable, there shouldnt be a straight that will challenge you, on the other hand you could shave with a straight and the disposable can still challenge you. It will be harder to learn with a disposable, or to put it better a disposable will show all your faulty techniques, where a straight might be able to conceal them. You already have the disposable, it is possible to get a good shave with one or barbers wouldnt use them, I would try to conquer the disposable. That being said, if you can afford a true straight, buy one it is alot more forgiving. But dont think that it is your equipments fault, think about it, every time you change you blade in a disposable, it is shave ready, the only one at fault is you and your technique.

I purchased the dovo silver steel only to find out that it is out of stock. I can't find this razor on any other site either. Can someone recommend another nice straight razor that compares with the silver steel?

The dovo best quality is a great razor. I have a dovo best quality, dovo astral, dovo inox, and a dovo perlex stainless.

All of them shave great!!

Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by Rossi89

All of the above. I have tons of irritation and the shave feels uncomfortable. I know this is common with beginners, but I just think a straight razor would be better in the long run. The shavette just doesn't feel like a well built razor.

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Okay then, ditch the shavette and go for a straight razor! :)

As for a razor, some good advice as already been dispensed. Any entry level Dovo is a good bet. I already mentioned a vintage razor from the SRP classifieds, which would be a fine choice as well. It's up to you.

A few contributors have already briefly mentioned proper beard preparation, and I want to encourage you in that area as well. Maybe you already understand this, but I am still within my first year of wet shaving and I am learning more and more how much of a difference good preparation makes. I would encourage you to experiment to see what works best for you. But for me some of the keys to a more comfortable, smooth shave have been keeping my face wet and the lather warm, re-wetting and re-lathering my whole face after shaving each zone (i.e. right cheek--left cheek--right neck--left neck), using a little pre-shave oil, and putting 4-5 drops of glycerin in the lather. There are other things that could be mentioned, but beard prep will go a long way in making the shave a more comfortable and satisfying experience.
One more thing I would add. Focusing on maintaining a very light touch for all passes--more than you would think--greatly reduces the amount of irritation you will experience.
Keep pressing on! It will get better and better. It is for me and I'm sure it will for you also.

thanks everyone for the help!

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Originally Posted by Jasongreat

You already have the disposable, it is possible to get a good shave with one or barbers wouldnt use them,

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It IS possible to get a good shave with one, it just takes a lot more effort IMHO. I find that the straight is a bit more forgiving of slight mistakes where the shavette would have shredded me. That said, not all shavettes are equal, the actual "Shavette" is made by Dovo and IMHO is junk, the disposable blade straight razors made by Feather, Parker etc are much better both in quality of construction and the shave they deliver


Barbers use them (at least here in the USA) because they have no choice, the are required by law to use disposable blades for sanitary reasons... I was actually taking to my barber the other day about this, he both loves and hates the shavettes, he loves them for doing touch-ups after a haircut where he just needs to clean the neck and sideburns since it's quick and easy...but for actual shaves he wishes he could go back to a real straight razor even with the stropping and maintenance involved since he said it delivers a MUCH more comfortable shave for his clients.

Have you considered the sight unseen/poor man's strop kit from whippeddog.com? It's a great deal for $50 and you get a shave ready razor in the process. I went that route for starters, only because on the chance that I wanted to stick with DE's Larry would buy the razor back. So it wouldn't be a total loss.

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Originally Posted by CharlieFoxtrot

Have you considered the sight unseen/poor man's strop kit from whippeddog.com? It's a great deal for $50 and you get a shave ready razor in the process. I went that route for starters, only because on the chance that I wanted to stick with DE's Larry would buy the razor back. So it wouldn't be a total loss.

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I recently purchased a Boker King Cutter and am pleased with it. Thanks though for the advice. I would have considered that if I didn't already buy my razor.