Thread: Deciding between Shaver and Shavette

Hey guys,

I'm 19 and after trying cartridges and electric shavers for the past 3-4 years, I want a better shave. I'm tired of shaving either by the sink or in the shower and getting the same crappy shave every-time, having it look like a 5 o clock shadow right after a shave.

The problem is that I'm in college right now so budgeting is a problem. I don't want to spend more than $50 on a new kit, especially when I'm not sure I will even like it or could use it. I anticipate shaving every other day and think that I can set aside up to 15 minutes a day for shaving.

After looking at a few forums and their wikis, it seems that straight razors with a permanent blade and replaceable blade "shavettes" or brands other than Dovo are the two best options. It has been suggested that shavettes are a good stepping stone to straight shavers, though this isn't agreed upon. The prices and work involved certainly make the shavette-style seem like the better economical and efficient buy. I don't want to try DE shavers, since I just don't like the style and they seem to be pretty bad.

So my question is:

1) What would you do if you were on a budget and weren't sure if this was your thing?
2) What brand would you recommend of either a replaceable or permanent blade?
3) What else would I need and where would be the best place to get the stuff? I prefer buying online because I doubt I can find anything good around me. I'm in Southern California, if that helps.

I'd suggest whipped dog.

He specilizes in providing inexpensive shaving equipment to beginners.

Here's the ultra cheap route for you:

Whipped dog razor of your choice
VDH shave kit Buy Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set Online at drugstore.com This is available at many Walgreens and Walmarts. No need to order online
Filly strop RupRazor - Strops

For about $65, you're up and running with a 'known quantity' kit that will deliver the shaves. You're going to have a VERY hard time coming up with a complete kit for less than that.

You've been given some great advice on where to get your kit, but I'd just like to add that if you're thinking about straight razor shaving, get a straight razor not a shavette.

Otherwise all you'll have done is spent the money on something thats almost, but not quite, what you want..!

I'd have a look in the classifieds here as well, as there are some great razors there, and in the Vendors Corner. For a start, Dylan (holli4pirating) has a site that sells great restored and honed razors, so it would be well worth checking out his site to see if there is anything there you like...!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Alright so I found this used in my local area:

Thiers-Issard Straight Razors

It's the Thiers-Issard 7 Piece set.

The guy claims it's only been used 3-4 times. How much would this set be worth?

I might be able to get it for anywhere between 50-100.

Originally Posted by kobefan

Alright so I found this used in my local area:

Thiers-Issard Straight Razors

It's the Thiers-Issard 7 Piece set.

The guy claims it's only been used 3-4 times. How much would this set be worth?

I might be able to get it for anywhere between 50-100.

The price is right on the web page you linked in your post. Also note that we do not do appraisals here on SRP.

Good luck in your hunt.

ok.. get the the atm already and buy that before someone else does.

Originally Posted by kobefan

Hey guys,

I'm 19 and after trying cartridges and electric shavers for the past 3-4 years, I want a better shave. I'm tired of shaving either by the sink or in the shower and getting the same crappy shave every-time, having it look like a 5 o clock shadow right after a shave.

The problem is that I'm in college right now so budgeting is a problem. I don't want to spend more than $50 on a new kit, especially when I'm not sure I will even like it or could use it. I anticipate shaving every other day and think that I can set aside up to 15 minutes a day for shaving.
...snip....
So my question is:

1) What would you do if you were on a budget and weren't sure if this was your thing?
....snip....

Since you are on a budget.... stick with tossable razors for
six months or so. Perhaps the BiC yellow handle ones
for sensitive skin.

Invest in a brush and some shave soap.
Start with the Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set (Soap, Bowl, Brush)
for about a dozen bucks.

When the soap wears thin, upgrade the soap with a good cream
or soap. Possibles are Tabac shave soap, Proraso Menthol/Eucalyptus
Shave Cream and mroe.. The sponsors of this site have some house
brands of soap that are better than OK. Start with the fragrance free
versions... once you find one that lathers and shaves well you can try
the various flavors.

Put a better than average shave brush (+19mm/badger) on the
Christmas list. Wet shaving and a good brush go hand in hand...

Between now and the end of a bag of BiC razors decide if you
want a double edge (DE) or a straight. Since you are in college
a DE will prove more travel friendly than an open blade razor.
With a DE you do not need a strop, hone or second razor so
it is less expensive. With ultra sharp blades like the Feather DE
and the spectrum of less sharp smoother more friendly blades you
should be able to get a decent shave.

My logic is based on the fact that a shave is whiskers .vs. steel.
For about $35 bucks you can get a quality DE razor and sample
some good blades. That solves the steel part. The other key
to a good shave is lathering.... which is where I started... Brush/
bowel/ soap.

One last note... switching from electric to a blade (or back) takes
some care. Skin does adjust but not in 36 hours so skip
the idea of close shaves for a week or so. Good to go is
the right goal.

I confess that I used an electric in college. It was QUICK did
not need sharpening (I thought) and I could shave a second
time if I had a social event....

Originally Posted by kobefan

Alright so I found this used in my local area:

Thiers-Issard Straight Razors

It's the Thiers-Issard 7 Piece set.

The guy claims it's only been used 3-4 times. How much would this set be worth?

I might be able to get it for anywhere between 50-100.

I think you have answered your own question.

Originally Posted by kobefan

1) What would you do if you were on a budget and weren't sure if this was your thing?

You buy the best edge you can afford and trade off cosmetic imperfections including pitting and tarnish for better quality steel. And just as important you make sure that the edge is as good as it can be, i.e. it has to be honed, tested, and vetted by somebody with the experience to do so.
Basically if the money is an issue you cannot afford to make bad decisions, so any corner you cut should be of no significance to function, and you should put as much money as possible to ensure the stuff that matters, i.e. the edge is as good as you can get.

Originally Posted by kobefan

2) What brand would you recommend of either a replaceable or permanent blade?

A vintage brand that nobody has heard about, so that you don't have to pay for 'brand'. Pay for the expertise of the honemeister and you may even get a razor that shaves as good as the best brands while still in your budget.

Originally Posted by kobefan

3) What else would I need and where would be the best place to get the stuff? I prefer buying online because I doubt I can find anything good around me. I'm in Southern California, if that helps.

The classifieds on this site and the websites of the vendors who don't use the classifieds are your best bet. After that it depends only on how good you are at figuring out who's really good, who's pretty good, and who's fine.


As far as your TI razor goes, if somebody gave up after using it 3-4 times, chances are that you will give up after 3-4 times as well. To be on the safe side you should budget on having the razor honed again before attempting to use it. Of course, resell value may be high, but if you're getting into this with the expectations that it may not work for you, the chances that it wouldn't are increasing as well. May be it will be helpful to accept that if you give up you will take a $50-$100 loss reselling the equipment and don't worry about it anymore. If you cannot afford to loose $50-$100 may be it's not a good idea to try it.