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Don't get me wrong... I LOVE my vintage Gillette DE razors ( not so crazy about my Merkur, though) , and I'm not sure that I can get a better shave with a straight razor, but I'm jumping into the deep-end. I've purchased online one of these.....
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Any advice about using a disposable straight blade? I could use all the advice I can get.
Best advise. BE VERY GENTLE!!! I used one for the first (approx) 9 months of straight shaving starting March 2009. Just kind of jumped into it. They will give a decent shave but in my experience the blade doesn't have as "smooth" a feel as a true straight. They are very light weight and naturally you will want to put more pressure on the blade when you make your pass(es), DON'T. You'll end up with hellacious razor burn. Like many others will tell you, make sure you have really good pre-shave prep, that'll help, and patience. Just take your time and you should do fine. It won't take long though and you'll be wantin' to move up to the real deal.
Best of luck,
Michael:)
I get a VERY good shave using my DE shavers.
My critieria is if I can get a better shave using a straight blade.
I'm not so much an afficio about grinding/honing/stropping, etc....
Michael-
That's good advice. Thank You!
Reminds me of when I got away from the plastic safety shaver/multi-blade TRAC-XXX shavers that did little but make stubble and in-grown hairs......
With a blade, even with a DE shaver, if you feel the blade, you're doing something wrong! It took me awhile to learn that you "hear" the blade, and not feel it on your skin. If you're "scraping" ....OUCH!!!
"OPERATOR ERROR!!! ABORT! ABORT! ABORT!!!!"
Kudos for trying it out! I started out with disposables as well and they all work well for me. I still have them and use them when I travel or want to blow off stropping. Just respect the blade and take your time.
Perhaps the more direct skin contact and blade control allows straight razors to be king of shaves. Additionally, they are always stropped and sharp ready for the next shave.
I am still amazed at just how good of a shave I get with straight razors. But, there is a learning curve to it.
Good Luck!
Pabster
At least your here early on. I bought my shavette and just kind of went to town. Got a VDH brush and soap and just went to town. Came across SRP a few times but thought forums were for NERDS....so here I am. There's a lot of great info on the internet as a whole but the atmosphere here at SRP is what made me finally become a member and I'm glad I did. I've learned tons thus far with plenty more to go. Even when you think you've got things pretty well figured out you'll stumble upon something else that make you take another look at what/how your doing something and it just keeps getting better. It's like a family, there's squabbles etc. but most of the crew is glad to help with whatever part of the journey you are on.
Just keep on keepin on..
Michael
I have seen that brand before but I hadn't seen anyone on the forum get it, I tried the shavette for a while and It just didnt work out. Once I switched I found out that its a lot easier to shave with a carbin steel razor IMO. I wish you good luck.
I hear a lot about the dovo shavette. Is it a good razor? I have a dovo best quality and love it, but might want a disposable if I send my razor in for honing.
Is the shavette good? I heard you have to get an insert if you want to use a full size blade?
has anybody used this one?
Straight Razor - Monsieur Charles
I have a Parker that uses disposable blades. Like you I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into something right away. One thing that is nice about my parker is that you can practice with the blade out. I do that try different strokes (what you talkin'bout willis) and grips. Perhaps with my tax return money I will get a Dovo.
Some guys have good luck with this type (disposable blade) razor and I was told the one I had (called an Alis?) would be good for travel. So I got some blades for it and did a test shave.......worst shave I ever had! I didn't cut myself that much the first three months of str8 shaving. I ended up giving it to my barber with the understanding she not use it on me.
It's decent for what it is. I get mine with all 3 of the inserts for the different blades and it was (at the time) less than $5 extra. They aren't as forgiving on problem spots like blemishes, moles, scars so you need to watch out around any "imperfections" while shaving.Quote:
Originally Posted by salazch
Hello, Driver:
I shave with a straight razor and have a modest collection.
At the same time, I keep a Feather straight razor with replaceable blades in the rack at home, an Edwin Jagger "barley" double edge also in the rack, a Gillette Super Speed "Red Tip" in my gym bag dopp kit, and a Merkur double edge travel razor in my travel dopp kit.
These are all for emergencies, mostly for use if I am squeezed for time. None, however, comes anywhere near the pleasure I receive from my regular straight razors. After all, the straight razor is a completely different world.
Use the Shavette as long as you feel you need to and then move on to the straight razor. There is something ethereal in the silky sheen of a well honed straight razor.
Regards,
Obie
I'm sorry to report that my first shave with the Shavette did not go well. It's OK at first using 1/2 a DE blade, but what I failed to consider was the corner of the blade closest to the handle.... One slight lateral movement and it layed me open! (Hopefully it won't leave a scar.)
Razor-burn big-time even using quality soap.
I can't say my experiment is working too well. :-(
Hello, Driver:Quote:
Originally Posted by Driver
I am sorry to hear of your ordeal with the Shavette. That razor has been a challenge for many shavers, although some do like it. Having used it once or twice in the past — borrowed from a friend — I found it sharp but mean as a drunk and unforgiving as a jilted lover. It reminds me of a rough wine that makes one grimace.
All right, then. If I may suggest, it is time to think of a genuine straight razor. If you are going to do it, make your decision and proceed. There are many starter kits offered at reasonable prices by vendors posted here at SRP. There is also mounds of information in the Wiki. Add to that the wisdom and expertise of some SRP members and you will have a good start.
Straight razor shaving takes patience and discipline. Of course, there is a learning curve, which you will manage as long as the desire is there. Start with small parts of your face at a time, keep the pressure light, watch your angle, and move step by step. You will get there before you know it. Good luck.
Regards,
Obie
I'll admit that I am a bit discouraged, but that may be because I was expecting too much, and got a bit carried away. At first it wasn't too bad, and I got a little too confident and didn't proper place the shaver on my face. When it dragged I just pulled it without thinking and got bit.
One of the drawbacks that I've heard others mention and I agree with is that it's too light. I would prefer a little more heft to it.
I'm not giving-up just yet. I'm considering purchasing the long blades that are made for it instead of the broken DE blades. We'll see.
(Luckily my job doesn't require me to be clean shaven because it will be a few days before I attempt to shave again, and then it will probably be with my trusty Gillette Tech.)
