Thread: I don't "get" shavettes...

I started out that way and it is very useful. I did not need to wonder what "sharp" or "shave-ready" was. It still gets used quite a lot. My wife uses it for her legs and I will grab the Shavette from time to time for a quick touch up. On some days when I use a DE, the Shavette is useful for places the DE doesn't fit (under the nose). I will also take it as a travel straight. I do prefer my normal straights.

I must be aberrant. Other than the common culture's desire for many bladed disposables if it has an edge that shaves then I want to shave with it, and enjoy the differences in technique needed to achieve a decent shave. I do have, and use, shavettes (including a 7 day set, re-honable blades), DE's, SE's, disposable Kamisori type shavettes and way too many straights. As Lynn says, "Have fun." Life is s**ty enough so why not enjoy the start of your day with a little adventure called scraping and bleeding to the sound of your favorite music, a strong cup of coffee and the daily paper (if you can stands the crap they report on).

The shavette I own was a crossover to straights. DE shaver for years I wanted to try straights. The cost to me at that point seemed overwhelming. The maintenance also was a factor. So I bought a $20 shavette from dreadnaught. Great little razor. Was a good introduction to using a straight. Shortly after getting it I came across a good deal for a vintage straight. So I jumped in the deep end. The shavette is sadly drawer bound at that point. The shave with my straights to me is just better. Now if I want to use a DE blade it will be in one of my DE razors. Overall it was a cost effective way to try straights. But not my favorite way to shave. To each his own for sure.

I have shaved with both for years. I find them very similar except for size and weight. I use the same techniques for both. I am an everyday shaver though and just shave stubble so that may account for my impressions

I shaved with a Dovo Shavette with Shark Chrome blades for the first month while I learned to hone. When I could hone blades to shave readiness, which took me about a month, I switched over to blades I was honing. I still use a Feather SS folder from time to time to refine my technique and find that I get great shaves from it.

Originally Posted by Martin103

I think you forgot to mention that Shavettes dont require honing and for some that is a big advantage.

+1 Some people just want the advantage of using a straight minus the honing and the stropping.