Hello from Clemson

Greetings!

For literally decades now I've used a mug and brush instead of canned shave cream, and for just about as long I've talked about using a straight razor. I'd even cruised eBay more than a few times, but I was quickly overwhelmed by the variety of razors and the variations in size and quality so I'd never felt comfortable in actually risking a purchase.

A month ago my wife asked me what I wanted for my 50th birthday. My first answer was "a stripper", but the second was "a straight razor". I got the straight razor.

But she ran into the same issues I did - overwhelmed and confused by what was available. (That some razors were running in the hundreds of dollars didn't help.) Sensing disaster, she opted to get something new but inexpensive in the event that I gave it up before too long, a Dovo Shavette.

I, of course, promptly hacked my face to sheds with it.

At that point I did what I should have done years ago and search the web for info, and so I discovered SRP. And learned how to start shaving with a straight, and what the variations and sizes meant, etc., etc.

This morning I used a "real" vintage straight razor, a Joseph Hollinger 6/8 Round Point purchased from the SRP classifieds, for the first time. A world of difference from the Shavette.

The Hollinger was sold as honed and shave ready, but it is not as sharp as the shavette (a shavette, if you haven't heard of it, is a straight razor with disposable blades; the blades are like those used in the old style double sided safety razor). I suspect that this is because the shavette is too sharp, owing to the blade, where the Hollinger is "just right". The Hollinger shaved very well, but I wasn't in constant fear of slicing myself open with a razor-sharp razor.

Which begs the question: anyone with experience with the Shavette *before* they went to a "real" razor? What can you tell me about the difference between the two?

Hello & welcome along!
Not used a shavette, but I understand they can be a bit aggressive. They effectively have a spike point at both ends, so you have to be aware of what both heel & toe are doing. You're also relying on the honing ability of a machine making millions of the blades.

Hi Robin-I just joined here after months of intensive lurking. Apparently there are quite a few of us 'Sandlappers' on this forum (check my intro. post). I never tried a Shavette, but am learning rapidly with a Dovo 5/8," a couple of old Gilette DE's, and (soon) a Filarmonica. Welcome to the obsession!

As it turns out a little more looking on the site turned up just such a discussion - shavette vs. "real". The consensus seems to be that the shavettes are much sharper than "real", although proper honing of a "real" straight can approach a shavette's sharpness.

Either way, I like the Hollinger.