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  1. #1
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    I started with disposables - Diane 12, Shavette, and Feather DX. Then I made the jump to straight razors, but found myself still using the disposables once every 5 shaves until I got the hang of caring for my straight razors.

    Today, I prefer my straight razors over the disposables and here is why:

    After I learned how to care for my straight razors properly, I could tune the sharpness of the straight razors to shave like a disposables 1st and 2nd shave, but offer the forgiveness of a disposables 3rd shave. Thus I had the best shave experience with every shave. Also, I have not bought any new disposable blades since I first bought my disposable straights and it has been over 18 months. I still have a few of each around for when I travel.

    After having both experiences, I was glad I made the adjustment to straight razors and my straight razor collection exceeds my disposable straight razor collection.

    If you are proficient with disposable straight razors, then the transition to straight razors is quick because you know what a good performing straight razor feels like and how it compares to the 1st - 4th/5th day use of a disposable straight. Thus you are efficient in learning how to strop, hone, and care for a straight razor in addition to evaluating a straight razors performance.

    No knock on disposables...I still have them and like using them when I travel or just want to blow off stropping or honing.

    Pabster

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  3. #2
    Senior Member The_Pastor's Avatar
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    I like my feather alot, I shave with it maybe every 5-6 shave. Its quite different, but offers some different pros and cons compared to a non-disposable straight.

    Here is some reviews I made of the feather, maybe you will find them usefull:

    YouTube - Straight razor from Feather


    YouTube - Straight razor Feather shave

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  • #3
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    I started with a Dovo Shavette a little over a year ago. I got to where I could shave everyday with minimal cuts or gashes with it. But I too found it laser sharp and quite unforgiving if you make a mistake. Then I got my vintage extra hollow ground Sears and Roebuck spike point and it's every bit as good as a shavette. It's all in the technique. It took me another few months of shaving with a properly honed real straight to get the techniques down and get that shave, but I assure you it can be done. The shavette is a good option to have at your discretion, but if you get confident with it you will get cut. The only times I have ever cut myself badly has been while using a shavette. I find the real straights more forgiving and with practice you'll get an as good or better shave. All in all it's a personal choice, but once you get the hang of the real straight, there's some satisfaction in being able to just have the Shavette as a standby and buck disposables all together.

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    Great videos I am glad to see that you enjoy using a disposible straight as much as I do. I havent layed out the bucks for the Feather yet. I am just using my Parker SR1 with the Feather blades. Have you tried a Parker ?

  • #5
    CTHULHU FHTAGN! mbeem's Avatar
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    I had a Dovo Shavette at one time. Terible, terrible shave compared to a traditional straight. I promptly sold it.

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  • #6
    Senior Member Muguser's Avatar
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    They use the shavettes at the barber shop where I get my haircuts. Mainly for health reasons I am guessing. The barbers there have been using straights for a long long time. The only point I was trying to make is in skilled steady hands with good teqhnique the shavettes give a nice shave.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Muguser View Post
    They use the shavettes at the barber shop where I get my haircuts. Mainly for health reasons I am guessing. The barbers there have been using straights for a long long time. The only point I was trying to make is in skilled steady hands with good teqhnique the shavettes give a nice shave.
    I went down the straight razor rabbit hole 4 months ago with a shavette and I thought it wanted to kill me.just for kicks, I tried it out last night. I'll be damned.. skill can come a long way in 4 months. I had a few inexplicable nicks here and there that I didn't even know how I got, but all in all, 1 pass gave me a DFS.

    I might not give this away after all.

  • #8
    Hot Pies & Lardy Cake Evin's Avatar
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    The Shavette in the right hands will give you a fantastic shave I know this because some of my best shaves have been with shavette. All the barber shaves I've had on holiday in Turkey were with shavette thats all they use and these guys do shaves day in day out so they are good. I brought a cheap focus shavette last year and the learning curve is steep you need a light touch and the corner of the blade is the part most likely to cut you. I have just brought a Dovo shavette this has a plastic guard that protects the corner of the blade so it should reduce the risk of cuts.

    Pro's they are cheap, they do not need stropping or honing you can fly with them as well.

    Cons steep learning curve, very very sharp blade will cut you with ease and not as beautiful as the straights you will see on this site.

    I like them you may not YMMV.

  • #9
    Nic by name not by nature Jeltz's Avatar
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    I haven't used my shavette for a while but I get as good a shave as a straight, I prefer a real straight as its less likely to punish any mistake I make.
    Regards
    Nic

  • #10
    Luddite ekstrəˌôrdnˈer bharner's Avatar
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    I get great shaves out of my shavette with minimal effort. If I'm in a hurry or travelling it is my go to shaver. Heck, I took it to the top of the mtn while ski patrolling this past winter and used my goggles as a mirror. Didn't even get any weepers. It's not incredibly forgiving but with a fresh blade I get a decent shave in one pass so if I face lather with cold water I can be done in ten minutes or less which is nice when I oversleep or forget about a meeting till I'm on my way out the door. You will, however, want a good ASB for after.

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