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It seems to be all about the SR or DE razors, but there's little to no love for the people who enjoy Shavettes out there. I get it, Straights are great, and double-edged razors are wonderful as well.
Myself, I love my Parker Shavette. I'll get into Straights eventually, but there will always be a special place in my heart for my Parker and my Sharks. There's something to be said when I can get a 90% BBS shave with no nicks with a tool that people say is "too harsh/agressive" for them.
Probably for the same reason there are no Mach 3 forums :rofl2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Natz
All joking aside, why don't you start a dedicated thread about Shavettes, or a razor club (here on SRP) for that matter?
Hi Natz - there are some discussions on Shavette's! Do a search using the forum's engine, there's lots of stuff on DOVO, Parker, Feather shavette's.
I just posted one here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...converted.html
I posted about the SR-1 on page four of the thread.
'-)
Cheers!
Wouldn't know the first thing about doing either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
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
Go here, Razor ClubsQuote:
Originally Posted by Natz
Look above the top thread and select "+Post New Thread" :)
You're off and running.
Also I would highly suggest. If you dissagree woth someones view on shavettes in a given thread then pipe up with your pro comments. One thing I have found in my time on this forum is that varying ideas are always welcome. Discussions are usually entered into. And those on the sidelines who lack experience are then more likely to try the different options.
Also it may be that there's something specific about the way you use a shavette that you can pass on... Don't worry about offending, rather embrace your love of the shavette and pass on your info.
Geek
Oh... Incidentally I started out with a shavette. Still have it. Didn't have any complaints about it and got quire a good shave with it.
Never used one myself, but I've thought it would be handy for those days I use the DE, but want to do a bit of refining around the goatee without having to breakout a cut-throat for such a small task. DE's aren't as fine a surgical cutter as an open blade, and don't get into all the spots on my face that I need to go to remove the odd errant whisker. I plan on picking one up one day. Start the 'Club' Get a new thread open and see if you can't convert a few more over to your method. I've always said, it doesn't matter what you use, so long as it's working for you!
Mick
A lot of people here use a disposable-blade straight.
I myself started out with one, a Feather DX.
It still sees some use every now and then, a Super Professional blade in that thing will mowe down a few days growth on my head like nobodys business.
perhaps we should have a sub-forum dedicated to all the disposable-blade straights out there...
Now - to each their own - if it works for you and you like it, that's all that matters.
As I mentioned before, I got a Parker the other day, 5 Shark blades and 3 Lord blades included. While it was a functional shave and I got good results, for me, it defeats the purpose.
A SR, whether vintage or new, is not something you, "replace", or "throw away" after so many shaves. The blade itself is what makes the razor, and the care of it. For me, as soon as something becomes disposable, as in the blades, 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!?!
The new Mach's or Fusion blades, when matched against a pro-barber with a SR, produced a better shave than the SR. The barber said, "....he couldn't compete with that!".
So, in my opinion, and again, in my view only, I don't really understand the difference between a Mach / Fusion replaceable blade razor and a DE or Shavette replaceable blade razor. In fact, you'll get a better shave with the Mach's or Fusion (after 6 years of engineering study went into the design of the blades). SR's are not disposable, and the technique required and experience are vastly different - they are two completely different animals.
Having said that, I've got nothing against using any of those razors if the reason arises.
Again, different strokes for different folks, that's just my personal take on it.
Cheers!
Well now, there are a few barbers on here that would protest this statement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
And a few thousand users as well.
A Feather, or Parker for that matter, in the hands of an experienced user, will to most of us on here, provide a far better, longer lasting and less hurtful shave than any five-bladed contraption.
It may have taken six years of engineering to make the Fusion, but the straight took thousands of makers several lifetimes to perfect... :)
Yes, I agree!Quote:
Originally Posted by Birnando
I'm trying to find the article / comparison I read where they had a very experienced barber with a SR, and another with a Fusion or some brand. It was a product comparison, not an advertisement. Both were shaved, and the Fusion won out. I remember the barber with the SR saying, "....I can't compete with that."
For me, it's a SR all the way...and if I don't get as close a shave, that only means I get to shave more often!!
Huh...found the article about the razor comparison:
FYI:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/archive.../t-148478.html
And the original article in, "The Toronto Star".
http://www.thestar.com/living/articl...s-been-outdone
Cheers!
Yeah, I remember it, it has been posted here a few times before;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
From what I remember, many of our members had a bit of a laugh at that article.
Don't get me wrong, to millions of people, the fusion et al does a splendid job.
What it also does is leave millions of men feeling that shaving is a chore, and somewhat painful at that.
Just look at the neckline of a lot of them around the office or wherever.
They look like they are in pain, and have the complexion of a 15 year old, a lot of them:)
Thanks for the link to the article. I have always suspected that the poor shaves people get from high tech marvels has more to do with technique and using a poor lather than the implement itself. I haven't personally used these new marvels but since starting SR shaving my technique and better lathering has vastly improved and carried over to my DE shaving making it a close race between the results from a DE and SR for me. I can also see why on a forum dedicated to SRs that quite a few people would scoff at the article.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
To stay on topic, I can't see why anyone would think a shavette is an any less worthy shaving implement than any other. There just is less interest on this dedicated SR forum for the other shaving implements which is to be expected.
Bob
About a year and a half ago I tried a Feather razor and because I liked it so much they have become my go to razors (I use the Feather DX and Kai models in both folding and non folding). This forum is concentrating on Straight razors but if you do a search you'll find enough threads about shavettes and such. If you are looking for more information you might have a look here: Die Shavette but it's in German (use google translate). Lots and lots of information.
Gentlemen:
I have the new stainless steel Feather Artist Club DX teak wood and the pearl as well as the stainless steel. The stainless steel also goes on trips as a backup to my straight. All three give me superb shaves and are a joy to use. I also had the Japanese style Feather DX and passed it on. The razor was fine and gave a superb shave, but I just don't like Japanese-style razors, traditional or Shavette. Anyway, I scatter the Shavettes well as my double edge razors among the traditional straights in regular rotation. The Feather as well as my DE razors are also used when I am short on time, although even then I do not rush my shave.
If you, however, want the true traditional straight razor experience with its colorful rituals — stropping, cleaning, maintaining and honing — the Shavette will not give it to you. In that sense you don't get the traditional straight razor experience. If you prefer not to bother with all that — perfectly sound thinking — then the Shavette is the way to go and no traditional straight razor shaver, who is a gentleman, will criticize you for it.
Excellent! As I've said, to each is own, if it makes you happy and that's what you like, that's all the matters!Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
As I mentioned, I picked up a Parker SR-1 shavette the other day, had a shave, and it certainly did the job. Got it with the idea of a travel razor and it will do that more than adequately.
One thing I'd like to mention, I've been into SR now for just over 6 months, thinking about it for about a year. It just occurred to me, that when I would get a SR shave at the barber, he used a shavette. I didn't know the difference nor did I think there was one! At least in Canada, barbers can't use real SR's due to health rules, they must replace the blade for each shave.
So, for me, at the time uninitiated, I had no idea there was a difference!! It was a great shave done by my old Italian barber, who said he learned to shave someone when he was 9 yrs old. He said he could shave people in the dark!
So I have the shavette to thank for introducing me to the SR world.
Again, to each is own, and different strokes for different folks (pun intended)!
Cheers!
Several years ago, when I first "came over" from SE and DE safety razors, I decided to do a "basic training" with a shavette. The idea was learn to use a straight without having to hassle stropping or honing at first. One thing is certain, if you can consistently get good shaves from a shavette, the next step into conventional straight razors was very easy as a result and I only need to learn stropping and honing. Technique was already very well engrained from my time with the shavette.
Recently I purchased the Kimchee Kamisori (a Korean knock-off of a Feather non-folding shavette) and must say the love affair has been re-kindled. I'll still use all three (safety razors, shavettes, and conventional straights) so its not necessarily an all or nothing proposition, just another tool in the tool box. But I think much of the shavette bashing is really unwarranted as I've found them to be fine shavers. No, they're not conventional straight razors but in the larger scheme of things what has that to do with anything? While the honing and stropping component is not there, isn't there an almost identical skill set that shavette users have to master? What's more having used both, I'd say that a shavette is a bit more of a challenge to use than a conventional straight. They tend to let you know right away when you've done something less than perfect technique wise.
I honesty don't see why people find shavettes harsh. I bought a cheap one off of ebay for around $5 and has zero issues. I was actually kind of impressed due to not really expecting much for it...I more just bought it for kicks. I gave it to my brother along with a cheap brush and some soaps to try to get him into wet shaving!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by 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. 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.
That's what I'm sayin' Birnando!Quote:
Originally Posted by Birnando
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
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
That, and the nostalgia factor are IMO, the only things that I can find that would make me even consider Straights over Shavettes.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Natz
Take the advice of the other members and start a sub-forum for disposable-blade straights....have fun with your shavette!
You had also compared it to a day old Big Mac or something along those lines...just sayin.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Natz
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Natz
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.
Okay guys, time to cool your jets and try to remember that we're all on the same side here....
Which was the point I was trying to make in the first place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
Thanks Ryan82 - I'm disengaging.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
Long weekend, Happy Simcoe Day!
Elegantly put, sir. Thank you for your inputQuote:
Originally Posted by Obie