mystery razors (I can't find what I'm looking for)

Hey guys, I'm new here, new to straight razors, and new to barbering in general.

I'm looking for a specific kind of straight razor, and have no clue how to find it. Searched google and fro ogle for hours and hours and finally found this forum.

Any help would be very much appreciated.


I'm looking for a straight razor that takes half of a double edged razor blade.
There are millions like these, but my hold up comes in when I try and find one that only exposes the blade edge and not the corners. I know they exist, I've seen them around in shops a lot, But now that I need one I can't find it...

I looked at shavettes and I don't think thats what I'm looking for. Can anybody point me in the right direction please?

Do a Google search for "shavette". A shavette is a razor that takes half a razor blade. Seems like what you are looking for. I don't see how you can expose the edge without exposing the corners. This Dovo looks like it has a sheild that may protect the corner.

Regards - Walt

Hey Walt. Thanks, but not quite what I'm looking for. Have already looked into the Shavettes.

Check out this mock up I did..

All I can find are things like (a)
I need to find (B)
the Shavette(C) only has one side rounded off, looking past the fact that they actually mount rounded corner razor blades.

Attachment 140282

All the ones I've seen have the same butterfly hinge on it but have that cut away.. (illustrated below)

Attachment 140285

I can't be going crazy, i've seen them around a lot. But they are alluding me now :(

Why would you want one of them when you could have a straight?

well, Its for work. NYS Barber law dictates that my razors need to be disposable, which is ok. But the shop I'm going to be working in requires me to have one that meets their requirements.

Through too many circumstances, I can't really ask where everybody got theirs, I've tried sneaking a peak at labels and brands but no luck...

Have you checked any of the barber supply stores (I'm assuming such a thing exists). Other than that, may want to look at the higher end stuff... Feather and what not.

BTW, when people suggest Shavettes, it is generally agreed upon that it means anything with a replacable disposable razor. You may also want to ask around in the Shavette subforum.

Good luck!

The Feather Nape Blade (almost) matches what you want, except that this razor uses injector blades instead of 1/2 DE blades.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by babrbern00b

well, Its for work. NYS Barber law dictates that my razors need to be disposable, which is ok. But the shop I'm going to be working in requires me to have one that meets their requirements.

Through too many circumstances, I can't really ask where everybody got theirs, I've tried sneaking a peak at labels and brands but no luck...

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If this is your shops standards, they should be able to recommend a model that meets them.

I'd say go with Feather Barber and Beauty
Or, as said, let them tell you exactly what to get, setting standards without telling how to comply to them is not a very nice way to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZeroCool

If this is your shops standards, they should be able to recommend a model that meets them.

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Its a New York law, I don't think they can even use a brush for lather. I don't recall exactly, haven't been there in years.

Check a beauty supply. I think they carry them.

I've never heard of a shavette that covers the corners of a blade. My Blue Beard's Revenge does not, but I find that the disposable blades have their corners slightly rounded and they never cut me the way a spike pointed straight razor might. In other words, I do not see why it is required?

Have you tried Classic Shaving?

Hey buddy, I am actually a Barber too. I have been using disposable shavettes for a long time and have every single brand and model. With that being said, I would say the best ones are hands down the feather artist club razors. They are more expensive and so are the blades, but think about long term use? If you aren't ready to spend that kind of money I would suggest either the Hess Ezy Shave razor, or the Charles Monsier. They both use personna injector blades which I find to last longer and shave better than your average double edge blades. If double edge is what you are looking for, then I would recommend the Parker SRW or a Diane brand razor. Let me know what you choose and if you have any questions about anything in general give me a shout! -Brett

There you go, advice from a fellow barber...you should keep in touch with Brett.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barberbrett

They both use personna injector blades which I find to last longer and shave better than your average double edge blades.-Brett

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Brett this may be a silly question, but it begs to be asked. If the protocol for using shavettes with disposable razor blades is to avoid the transmission of disease by using a fresh blade for every customer, why would the longevity of the blade be a factor? Do you change the blade with each new customer?

It's like going to the deli counter at Walmart where they all wear plastic gloves for the protection of their customers. Yet, I have seen clerks pick up a water hose that has been laying on the floor then come to the counter to serve a customer wearing those same gloves. I'm not sure if they wear the gloves for my safety or just to keep from having to wash their own hands. Now, each time they serve me, I ask them to put on a fresh pair of gloves. A request that is never met with a smile of understanding.

If these shavettes blades are being used for multiple patrons, then what's the problem with using a straight razor? Perhaps you can clear this up for me.

Regards - Walt

I guess you are to use a fresh blade for every customer. If he has a tough beard I guess longevity may be an issue.

The barber I visited a few weeks ago put his shavette in the barbicide and would use a blade on several customers. I think it's a good idea, since the blood of a cut customer will not only be on the blade, but on the holder as well, as it is being transported by the lather.

Or am I overcomplicating things? I know in the labs where I work(ed), switching blades would not count as safe enough to prevent contamination.

I'm also a barber, and have tried numerous models of razors-- and I have never come across the type of razor that you describe. In fact, I think that having both corners covered would actually be a disadvantage: it would be difficult to do a nice clean neck shave, shave the mustache directly under the nose, or trim neatly around client's facial hair. For these reasons, my go-to razor is the Parker; it has generous blade exposure, and both corners are easily employed. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

If both corners of a half double edge were 'covered,' wouldn't the plane of the cutting edge be below the metal covering the corners? I'm having trouble seeing this even with the artists rendition.

Wait a minute, picture B is a Norelco!

Any barber in NY who is re-using his "disposable" blades is a barber to be avoided.

With THAT said, I have found that the great majority of NY butchers (and I have chosen exactly the right word there) have had NO actual barber school training, and have no business handling a sharp instrument especially not near MY face.
Anybody seeking a barber in NY should DEMAND TO SEE the NYS Dept of Education LICENSE to practice.

many new "shops" have opened in the last few years, that will have a single barber with a license, that employ a dozen people who do NOT. Do not be fooled, do not allow them to touch you. I have the experience and scar to prove my concerns and fears.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kees

I guess you are to use a fresh blade for every customer. If he has a tough beard I guess longevity may be an issue.

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How tough would a beard have to be to dull a Feather Artist Club or a Personna blade before the shave was completed? Further, how many such beards would the average barber confront on a regular basis? Maybe barberbrett can fill us in.

"I can't be going crazy"

Ummmm it sounds like it. You need to change these weird circumstances and just ask where they get them.

try the md barber "Sicilian" it looks like what youre looking for....

Here
Russia-USSR-Shaving-machine-Alatyr-in-a-box-blade
so there!
~Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Here
Russia-USSR-Shaving-machine-Alatyr-in-a-box-blade
so there!
~Richard

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That looks so funky I almost bought the thing to fill the shavette-sized hole in my razor lineup until I remembered what this thread was all about! :) It's all yours, babrbern00b (at least as far as I'm concerned!)

I get the feeling he came in looking for a quick answer.. and maybe solved his problem ? 5 days no peep. :<0)

Russian razor shaves the day :-)

The truth is that I do usually use a new blade for each customer. But at times I dont, and if that is the case what I do is stick the razor into my barbacide jar let it sit in between customers and wipe it down before use. again I like to use new blades each customer, but when you are busy sometimes it makes it easier to do it that way. And to be honest I dont think that many barbers do actually change the blade each time, I dont want to speak for them but from what i have seen it seems that they dont. And as far as straights go for being used on customers, I have been told so many different reasons why we cannot use them. Mainly that they can spread disease and such, but I think the reason they arent used is because of the maintenance involved with using them. It is sometimes easier to change a blade then it would be to strop/hone a razor in between every customer. At my shop we dont do many face shaves, we mainly use our shavettes for shaving around the ears and neckline. If I had the choice I would use a true straight razor, but my boss prefers we dont due to the suspicion of them spreading disease? I will look into that for you Walt because I am curious to see if that is a state to state law or just applies to every professional?

Sorry for the late response, but I would say that since I dont personally use the shavettes on just beards but instead mostly on necklines and around the ears, that I could get around 5 customers worth of shaves with a double edge blade, and more than double that with a injector type or feather artist blade. I prefer those blades, and I have every shavette you can purchase. I tend to use the Hess Ezy shave razor and the Charles Monsieur razor the most which both use personna injector blades. I like the weight they have and they are built much better than most double edge type blade razors. If I do a face shave, I always use my feather artist dx razor.

Magpie, if you are running into barbers who are working in shops or at home or wherever without a license please by all means report them! Barber shops often hire friends and family who know the trade but arent licensed as a barber. These men and women are a disgrace to any true barber, not only are they putting out a bad name for those who are licensed but they are also doing something illegal. I am not ok with that, I cant lie I didnt enjoy my 1200 hours of barber school, but I did it because I respect the trade and wanted to do things the right way. I know shops that hire these non-licensed barbers and have no problem calling the state and letting them know about it.

Also for those who were wondering where to purchase these razors, I usually check Amazon first they are always priced well on amazon. If you dont find what you want on amazon Apopka barber supply is my main source. sally beauty supply sells them as well, but other than sally most supply stores will require you to have a barber license to purchase them.

Saw this on the bay:
2 x Salon Straight Cut Throat Shaving Razor Disposable | eBay

Looks like what you want?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barberbrett

nd as far as straights go for being used on customers, I have been told so many different reasons why we cannot use them. Mainly that they can spread disease and such, but I think the reason they arent used is because of the maintenance involved with using them. It is sometimes easier to change a blade then it would be to strop/hone a razor in between every customer.

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I looked through the Florida statutes on barbering and could find no regulation that forbid the use of traditional straight razors. It seems to come down to the barber's preference. It seems to me that it would add to the ambiance/mystique of the barber shop to have a strop hanging from the chair and a barber who knew how to use it. I remember, as a kid, watching in awe as Don Alexander, my barber, gave his razor 10 or 12 leathery thwacks before shaving the back of a customer's neck. Wouldn't it be just as quick to strop a razor before use than fumbling around trying to insert an injector blade into a cheesey shavette?

regards - Walt

Each state seems to have their own statute about straight razors since the HIV became prevalent.
According to a local barber (WI) a real straight is illegal and only single use blades are allowed.
~Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Each state seems to have their own statute about straight razors since the HIV became prevalent.
According to a local barber (WI) a real straight is illegal and only single use blades are allowed.
~Richard

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I believe it is that way in the majority of states anymore. Different world since all of the new viruses and antibiotic resistant bugs out there. CDC just reported three new ones that are killing lots of folks and no antibiotics to help. Say we are moving into the "post antibiotic age."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by babrbern00b

Hey guys, I'm new here, new to straight razors, and new to barbering in general.
....snip....
There are millions like these, but my hold up comes in when I try and find one that only exposes
the blade edge and not the corners. I know they exist, I've seen them around in shops a lot, But now that I need one I can't find it...

I looked at shavettes and I don't think thats what I'm looking for. Can anybody point me in the right direction please?

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Ask a barber.... or hairdresser.

You are not looking for a shaving razor but you are looking
for the tool used to give a "razor cut".

The tools often protect the customer by hiding the edge behind a comb like
affair.

One possible option is the Feather Artist razor.
Caution there are four types of Feather blade... I think only
one of their blades does what you want. Drop this into a
search engine:
"Artist Club ProGuard Blade"


For home haircutting, a razor-comb is easy to use.
How To Use A Razor Comb | LIVESTRONG.COM
Most stores with a pharmacy or beauty-supply stores will carry a razor-comb.