Thread: Shavette vs straight

Hi peeps!,

A nice gentleman commented on my intro topic something to the effect of 'when you can afford it, upgrade from a shavette to a straight razor', so I have a couple of questions,

1.) Is a straight razor really that much more effective?
2.) With the shavette, one gent said that I should hold it nice and flat as i shave (have been having major problems getting it to cut anything), is there anything else?
3.) Are there any affordable places in SE brisbane to get this gear from? Currently I go to the place in mount gravatt.

Cheers!

I know Mt Gravatt, I lived in Eight Mile Plains from mid '05-'06. Nice area!

I personally find that the thicker, stiffer blades of a straight do give a better shave. I also reckon that the steel is better quality in a straight, further adding to the shave. A feather blade is designed to be thrown away so the maker would, I guess, use a lower quality steel to keep costs down.

I've not shaved myself with a shavette, I've only ever experienced them at barber shops, but I understand you shave in the same way as a straight.

I do think you would notice the difference between a straight razor and a shavette, they are different beasts..!

The difference is mostly one of feel. A real straight "feels" better on your face, and also results in a shave that feels better as well.

You are also less prone to nicks with a real straight as the blade seems a bit more forgiving.

.

I've been using a shavette for a couple of weeks now. Most members see the shavette as a poor substitute and they are most likely correct.

Given that, I've a question for you. What kind of blade are you using? I've tried using 1/2 DE blades (Darby's) and Personna ridged back blades. The 1/2 DE blades have a tendency to cut and nick. They are just too flexible. The ridged back blades are somewhat better.

I start with the shavette on my WTG and XTG passes and then finish up with the DE. I will be switching to an SR after I gain more skill and learn to strop and hone. I'm slowly gathering the equipment.

Good luck.

As others have said a true straight razor is a better shave, assuming it is 'shave ready'. A blade in a shavette may be sharper or not, but a straight can be dialed in, and if properly honed and stropped, whether it will be sharper or not, it will be smoother.

Originally Posted by pavariangoo

Hi peeps!,

A nice gentleman commented on my intro topic something to the effect of 'when you can afford it, upgrade from a shavette to a straight razor', so I have a couple of questions,

1.) Is a straight razor really that much more effective?
2.) With the shavette, one gent said that I should hold it nice and flat as i shave (have been having major problems getting it to cut anything), is there anything else?
3.) Are there any affordable places in SE brisbane to get this gear from? Currently I go to the place in mount gravatt.

Cheers!

I would be curious if folk compared a Shavette with half a Feather DE
to a good DE with a Feather blade.

When I first saw shavettes years ago they were used by beauticians to
give razor hair cuts and not for shaving. To me the shavettes expose too
much thin DE blade and are not as consistent on the skin as
a str8, DE or the Artisan Feather open razor.

I suspect they have improved a lot for shaving because the barber
community has been pushed away from solid steel razors, shaving mugs,
strops and such (because of blood born diseases).

Q: is a straight more effective... ?
A: it depends... an open blade is infinitely adjustable:
from the hone to the strop to the face... yet it
is still steel versus whiskers. N.B. The process of wet
shaving helps any blade shaver.... I find that the attention
to detail and time that an open blade imposes on me improves
my shave... so yes more effective but your face
is the final judge.

As with any infinitely adjustable device bad adjustments
are possible. If your temperament lets you get it
right more often than not a straight is a winner. If
you are casual, imprecise and impatient an open blade is less
likely to be effective.

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.