Why are there no Shavette Forums out there?

[CaliforniaCajun]

I may be being a curmudgeon, but it seems like a lot of people enjoy bashing Shavettes; suggesting people skip it and go the straight route, or making it sound like it will instantly turn your face to hash or are somehow not a good route to try. I get that the forum is called Straight Razor Place and all, but the common bond we all share is the love of a good shave. It shouldn't matter how one obtains said shave, just that we enjoy doing it. I'm not looking for a fight or anything, but there has to be someone other than me here that enjoys shaving with a shavette.

Like I said, I might just be blowing off some steam here and there was no offense meant to the SR/DE crowds out there, I'm just feeling like one of the very few that chose a different route and is enjoying it rather than mocking/complaining about it.

Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings

I have a couple of permanent scars from shavettes, and I think some discourage them because the machine blade has less give to it. Some people never have this problem, but a mentor that has might be fearful for someone just starting out. Personally I think they are more difficult to use, which is problematic for a beginner, but I can use them and they definitely have their place. In fact, I just purchased a Feather a couple of weeks ago because I want to keep in practice and am considering using it as my travel razor.

What I have found is that most straight shavers derive pleasure from using a blade they honed themselves, which of course doesn't occur with a shavette. I enjoy a true straight more, but that's just a personal preference.

There are definitely people who prefer shavettes. I have seen straight razors for sale because the seller has decided to use shavettes exclusively.

I went into retro shaving as a practical matter rather than an intense desire to do things the "old fashioned way," because the Fusions, Mach IIIs, and electrics weren't doing the job for me. I enjoy the nostalgic feeling now, but it wasn't what motivated me to do this. Honestly I am supportive of any member's choice of whatever works for him.

[Natz]

A lot of people here use a disposable-blade straight.
...
perhaps we should have a sub-forum dedicated to all the disposable-blade straights out there...

That's what I'm sayin' Birnando!

[Natz]

A SR, whether vintage or new, is not something you, "replace", or "throw away" after so many shaves...I really don't see much difference between a cartridge razor like a Mach 3 etc...you get a handle, and you replace the blades every so often!?!

Well, first...there's the cost comparison-- I'm using Amazon.com for my explanation; currently you can buy an 8-pack of Mach 3s for about $24.99 (which boils down to about $3.12 per cart) On the same website, you can buy a 100 pack of Shark Super Chrome DE blades for $12.55. If you're a DE user, that comes down to about $.13 per blade. If you are like me, and use a Parker which accepts half of said DE blade, the cost goes down to about $.06 per blade. Hmmm, 200 Shark blades for $12.55 or 200 Mach 3 blades for $625...decisions, decisions.

Secondly, the quality of the shave. I've shaved with both my Parker Disposable and a Mach 3, and there really is no comparison. I've never gotten a BBS shave on my face with a Mach 3, and I get one every time with my Parker. I got ingrown hairs all the time when I used a Mach 3, but when I use my Shavette, none. When I use my Parker, the way it cuts through my full goatee with one pass is amazing. Try going through a full beard with a cartridge razor...it's not going to happen without the blade getting clogged. With my Parker, I can shave down to BBS and only have to shave every other day. With a Mach 3, I was shaving every day, and normally throwing the blade out after about a week or two due to the dullness. With my Shavette, I'm disposing the blades about every week...but if you see Point #1, I'm still WAY ahead of the game.

Thirdly, there's the skill required to use it; You still have to make sure that you're using the right angles, that you're prepping and stretching your skin, and that you're holding the Shavette the way that you'd hold a straight. Sure you might bleed at first until you remember that you don't have to press hard like your Mach 3's to get the same quality shave, but once you get the technique...BBSville, here we come.
------
You still get the feel of using a straight style shaver, without having to carry a hone, strop, paste and all of the other maintenance tools that come with straight shaving, so the whole convenience factor is also worth noting vs using a straight. I'd much rather carry my Shavette and pack of blades (100 blades in a case about the size of a small matchbox), than have to bring out the "gear" and strop all the time.

Hopefully this is enough clarification for you

[Natz]

What I have found is that most straight shavers derive pleasure from using a blade they honed themselves, which of course doesn't occur with a shavette.

That, and the nostalgia factor are IMO, the only things that I can find that would make me even consider Straights over Shavettes.

[Phrank]

Well, first...there's the cost comparison-- I'm using Amazon.com for my explanation; currently you can buy an 8-pack of Mach 3s for about $24.99 (which boils down to about $3.12 per cart) On the same website, you can buy a 100 pack of Shark Super Chrome DE blades for $12.55. If you're a DE user, that comes down to about $.13 per blade. If you are like me, and use a Parker which accepts half of said DE blade, the cost goes down to about $.06 per blade. Hmmm, 200 Shark blades for $12.55 or 200 Mach 3 blades for $625...decisions, decisions.

Secondly, the quality of the shave. I've shaved with both my Parker Disposable and a Mach 3, and there really is no comparison. I've never gotten a BBS shave on my face with a Mach 3, and I get one every time with my Parker. I got ingrown hairs all the time when I used a Mach 3, but when I use my Shavette, none. When I use my Parker, the way it cuts through my full goatee with one pass is amazing. Try going through a full beard with a cartridge razor...it's not going to happen without the blade getting clogged. With my Parker, I can shave down to BBS and only have to shave every other day. With a Mach 3, I was shaving every day, and normally throwing the blade out after about a week or two due to the dullness. With my Shavette, I'm disposing the blades about every week...but if you see Point #1, I'm still WAY ahead of the game.

Thirdly, there's the skill required to use it; You still have to make sure that you're using the right angles, that you're prepping and stretching your skin, and that you're holding the Shavette the way that you'd hold a straight. Sure you might bleed at first until you remember that you don't have to press hard like your Mach 3's to get the same quality shave, but once you get the technique...BBSville, here we come.
------
You still get the feel of using a straight style shaver, without having to carry a hone, strop, paste and all of the other maintenance tools that come with straight shaving, so the whole convenience factor is also worth noting vs using a straight. I'd much rather carry my Shavette and pack of blades (100 blades in a case about the size of a small matchbox), than have to bring out the "gear" and strop all the time.

Hopefully this is enough clarification for you

Whatever floats your boat, if you're happy - that's all that matters. Like I said, I have a Parker as well, AFAIK, they are two different animals.

Take the advice of the other members and start a sub-forum for disposable-blade straights....have fun with your shavette!

[Natz]

As I mentioned, I picked up a Parker SR-1 shavette the other day, had a shave, and it certainly did the job.

You had also compared it to a day old Big Mac or something along those lines...just sayin.

[Phrank]

You had also compared it to a day old Big Mac or something along those lines...just sayin.

Yes, and you're on a SR forum reducing SR's to, "nostalgia", comparing a cheap $20 Parker made in India to a finely crafted razor. Start you're own sub-forum on shavette's and you can have some dedicated space.

[Natz]

Yes, and you're on a SR forum reducing SR's to, "nostalgia", comparing a cheap $20 Parker made in India to a finely crafted razor. Start you're own sub-forum on shavette's and you can have some dedicated space.

Actually, I'm in the DE section of the forums, which deals with disposable DE blades, which is the closest thing I can be on until they actually make a dedicated forum for disposable straights/shavettes.

And I wasn't comparing my Parker, which you continue to bash BTW, to a straight, I was answering your post regarding that you couldn't tell the difference between Mach 3's and Disposable Straights. I was providing you with clarification; if you didn't want to have a discussion about it, then maybe you couldn't have voiced your opinion on the matter of Mach 3/Shavettes.

The only issue that I have with straights over Disposable Straights is the amount of gear and constant stropping. I love straights, and they are beautiful tools which also get the job done. I wasn't reducing it by any means, I was just replying to another poster about MY opinion on why I would choose straights over Shavette. I wasn't generalizing.

[Phrank]

Actually, I'm in the DE section of the forums, which deals with disposable DE blades, which is the closest thing I can be on until they actually make a dedicated forum for disposable straights/shavettes.

And I wasn't comparing my Parker, which you continue to bash BTW, to a straight, I was answering your post regarding that you couldn't tell the difference between Mach 3's and Disposable Straights. I was providing you with clarification; if you didn't want to have a discussion about it, then maybe you couldn't have voiced your opinion on the matter of Mach 3/Shavettes.

The only issue that I have with straights over Disposable Straights is the amount of gear and constant stropping. I love straights, and they are beautiful tools which also get the job done. I wasn't reducing it by any means, I was just replying to another poster about MY opinion on why I would choose straights over Shavette. I wasn't generalizing.

I've had enough of this bickering.

Several members have told you to create a sub-forum.

One member, on page 1 of the thread you started, left you detailed instructions on how to do so.

[Ryan82]

Okay guys, time to cool your jets and try to remember that we're all on the same side here....