Thread: Shavette vs straight

I use the Dovo Shavette quite regularly, and enjoy the shave just as with my traditional straight razors. However, the feel of the blade is totally different. With the Shavette you have to have a very gentle touch, as the blade is scary sharp. My traditional straight is much more forgiving. It just depends upon preference. I enjoy shaving with them both.

I bought the shavette to keep in my gym locker, so I would not have to worry about a strop, honing, rusting in the humid environment, ... .

Originally Posted by mhailey

I use the Dovo Shavette quite regularly, and enjoy the shave just as with my traditional straight razors. However, the feel of the blade is totally different. With the Shavette you have to have a very gentle touch, as the blade is scary sharp. My traditional straight is much more forgiving. It just depends upon preference. I enjoy shaving with them both.

I bought the shavette to keep in my gym locker, so I would not have to worry about a strop, honing, rusting in the humid environment, ... .

I think that's the best run down I've heard of the Shavette and how it differs.

I have a Shavette but don't know if I can get proficient enough to make it my travel razor unless I use it on a regular basis. When I'm home I want to use the traditional straight. I have medical grade Personna blades and haven't had a bad one yet in my DE razor (Merkur Slant) so I am not worried about varying quality from blade to blade.

My best guess as to the difference between Shavette and straight razor is that the straight, due to not being as sharp as a Shavette, floats on the skin pressing down the skin right before slicing whiskers. While the Shavette doesn't float on the skin, due to it being sharper, but slices off the top dermal layer(s) of dead skin while at the same time cutting the whiskers.

I think this is why straights very seldom produce weepers, and Shavettes frequently produce weepers. At least in my experience.

Both shave very close. The straight feels better.

I started with a "Magico" (essentially a shavette) and migrated to straights. I think its a very good idea to start with one as it eliminates the "is it shave ready" question, so you can just learn technique. It also allows you to practice with an empty bladeholder so you can get used to the strokes with no chance of injury.

I agree with the above statements that a real straight is more comfortable, and I find that the Magico gives you more nicks but I think its from the exposed sharp corners of the blade. I also agree that the choice of blade can make a difference. I have used "Personna" and "Gillette" double edged blades, and they were both great. I bought some "panda" at the dollar store and they were very dull.

This discussion made me want to whip out the ol' Shavette since my straight shaving has improved and today I got a terriffic shave with it. But I also cut myself several times, so I definitely experienced the "unforgiving" aspect of it in comparison with a traditional straight.

I'm really on the fence as to whether to try to make it into a travel razor because I prefer the traditional straight and also have a Merkur Slant for times I don't have time to strop and straight shave.

The thing I don't know about is if I took, say, a week's vacation. Would I get progressively better with the Shavette as the week went on, or is this just something I can't use unless I use it on a regular basis.

I have not shaved with a shavette but my barber uses one on my neck when I go. I can tell you that it is a much harsher shave then my straights. The straights are smoother and do not make my skin feel irritated.

I use a Parker shavette regularly in my rotation along with traditional straights , theres no doubt if you master the shavette using a regular straight is a breeze , theres little margin for error with the shavette so it demands proper technique . The parker holds the blades very firm & close to edge so flex is not an issue . I dont belive you should be using an almost flat angle most of my shaving with the shavette is around 20-30 degree's or there about depeding on areas your tackling ..You read alot of negatives about the shavettes that they are solely for neck an hairline shaving , thats just not true , while they maynot be suited to everyones taste they do provide awesome shaves once mastered .

Thanks to the discussion and a couple of shaving attempts, I did crack the code, so to speak on the Shavette.

I feel stupid in saying this, but so be it. I didn't realize until yesterday that there are little notches that tell you where the blade sits. They were so inconspicuous that I had been experimenting with how much the blade should hang out and was shredding myself.

When I got the blade properly placed the thing shaved like a dream and I found out that I didn't have to be any more careful than I had to be with a traditional straight razor.

Perhaps others were having the same difficulty I was having. I think that Dovo ought to make these notches another color or something because evidently I'm not the only one having difficulty with this.

Anyway, problem solved for me and hopefully others.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

I feel stupid in saying this, but so be it. I didn't realize until yesterday that there are little notches that tell you where the blade sits. They were so inconspicuous that I had been experimenting with how much the blade should hang out and was shredding myself.

When I got the blade properly placed the thing shaved like a dream and I found out that I didn't have to be any more careful than I had to be with a traditional straight razor.

Perhaps others were having the same difficulty I was having. I think that Dovo ought to make these notches another color or something because evidently I'm not the only one having difficulty with this.

Anyway, problem solved for me and hopefully others.

I should have said something in my post. sorry. I kind of thought that proper installation of the blade was a given. The Dovo does not let the blade hang out too far, and keeps the blade nice and secure, of course, when the notches are properly used.

Originally Posted by mhailey

I should have said something in my post. sorry. I kind of thought that proper installation of the blade was a given. The Dovo does not let the blade hang out too far, and keeps the blade nice and secure, of course, when the notches are properly used.

This is one of many revelations I have had that convinced me that I didn't know how to shave until Age 54. I didn't know which direction my hair grew, nothing. You never learn how to shave with the cartridge racket. Now that I have gone to DEs, straights, and the Shavette, I have been forced to learn and have been rewarded with satisfying shaves.

If this was, say, pre-1970, I'm sure I would have been able to take a new piece of equipment like the Shavette, and put 2 + 2 together because I'd have an instinct for shaving with the equipment available at the time.