Thread: Disposable Straights?

I was just looking around.... not really thinking of buying one, but it is all so confusing?

Feather, Parker, Dovo... Half DE blades, single blades, adapters....

They don't all take the same blades? Are some blades longer than others? Will a Feather blade fit in a Dovo? The DE blade is pretty short, breaking one in half just seems like I could use my safety razor and use it DE and would get the same shave? How about if I just tape a DE blade to a popsicle stick? Really though, where is shavette central with all the info?

Perhaps I am much better off with the good ol straight!

I have a dovo shavette. it uses a normal DE blade snapped in half and inserted into the adapter. you can also buy larger blades that are similar to the length of a normal straight which can be used with another adapter purchased separately.

I have used a shavette type razor, snap any single edge blade into it, and shave, i suppose though, if you have a favorite blade you have used in a de, thats the way to go, certain manufacturers make special blades for these, derby come to mind, that the blade is made specially so you can snap it in 2 with your fingers, then you have 2 shaving blades, or kept whole for de use, if you use a regular blade, a pair of plyers is required to snap in 2.

I started with Disposable straight razors and would advise to get blades that fit properly. You want a blade that will be held firmly and not "flex" too much while shaving as this will lead to a lot of cuts.

Feather Blades and Feather scale works well. Dovo and personna blades, a bit too flexible for me and I use a thicker blade.

My old Mach 3 just can not compete with the shaving performance I get with my straight razors.

Pabster

OK, Today I went to Sally's Beauty Supply down on the corner and bought a "From" Hair shaper and 10 Personna blades. The hair shaper has a guard that has to be removed to use it like a straight.

Just as had been discussed here, the blade was sharp, but a bit unforgiving. It definatly cut hairs, but I got a few nicks, and nearly cleaved off one of my moles.... The Personna blades are longer than a broken DE blade, more like a straight.

Overall I give it an 8 compared to my shave ready blade. Not great, but not terrible.

I just ordered the "Dovo Shavette" and Green holder (fits the long personna blades) from SRD to see if that will fare better as a holder for greater stiffness and feel. I would like a "Feather" brand, but at 250 bucks that is a bit much for a shavette!

Also, has anyone ran one of these on a strop? I am thinking that with a little burnishing it may be a better shaver like a straight.

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Not sure about stropping them, but there is a practice of "corking" the blades by drawing them lightly edge down through a piece of cork. I tried it "back in the day", and I think that it simply gives you that 3rd shave sweet spot with the first shave, buy dulling them slightly. OTOH, it may serve to remove some of the so-called protective coating, defeating the purpose.
Honestly though, it's been some time since I've used mine and I wasn't very good when I did.
I keep meaning to try mine again (Kai excelia) but the shave experience was so under-whelming compared to my real straights that I can't really be bothered.

Originally Posted by wdwrx

I keep meaning to try mine again (Kai excelia) but the shave experience was so under-whelming compared to my real straights that I can't really be bothered.

Yes, I received 5 packs of feather DE blades after reading how great they are, (I've been using local generics) and used one blade once to touch up, and have not used it since then. I did wipe it good and reverse it before putting it up so It should last a while....

Now that I'm thinking of it... I did try stropping a Kai blade once, but let me tell ya, I had no idea what the hell I was doing, and nothing resembling a real strop, and my results were disastrous. I think I used a piece of newspaper laid on the table, and pressed. (not to disparage newspaper as a stropping medium)
I'm wondering if I couldn't do better now. And even if a real stropping wouldn't help. And I'm even wondering if a bit of leather treated with some coti powder and used to strop a SE/DE blade wouldn't improve the shave off one. I've heard rumors that strops treated with coti powder can give good results with a traditional straight, it might damp down that crazy sharpness of a DE, if done properly.
Someone should try that, and tell us how it goes.

The term "Disposable Straight". Is that kind of an Oxymoron? Like Jumbo Shrimp.

Originally Posted by jeffegg2

I was just looking around.... not really thinking of buying one, but it is all so confusing?

Feather, Parker, Dovo... Half DE blades, single blades, adapters....
....snip...
Perhaps I am much better off with the good ol straight!

Since you are just looking -- look at the Artist club Feather.
They have three different blades and as a result
you can pick one you like.... If you are thinking in
passing about shaving with an open razor they worth
a look.

Feather blades are sharp as they come, It takes a LONG
time to learn to hone and strop an edge that is an equal.
I keep one in my shave den and used it a lot while
learning to strop and hone..... I consider
it money well spent...