Thread: Parker all metal shavette & japanese feather blades

I have been using Dovo straight razors for the last two years and they shave well for the most part. However as I am of African descent I needed a straight razor blade that can leave a perfect sharp mark when shaving around the hair and beard lines. So I switched to using a Parker all metal 31r shavette and whoa it was absolutely amazing to see the difference . The japanese feather blades are absolutely the sharpest blades I have ever used . They also make scalpel blades and for me as a med student that is impressive. I am so blown away that I have permanently converted to using a shavette over a more traditional straight shave. The Japanese feather blades have such an edge that I knicked my fingers and my face. Because I didn't expect such a sharp edge. If you are looking for an extremely precise shave line or are of African descent I definitely recommend this combination but beware when you shave. These blades are second to none.

Please leave your personal experience if you have tried these blades

Welcome to SRP!

Well, you're a braver man than I...I tried Feather blades in a DE safety razor and it felt like they took about half my skin off. I also tried the Feather "Artist Club" (something you might consider, they're really well made and built for pros, much sturdier and cooler than a regular shavette) and had a similar reaction. Just way too keen for me. But if it works for you, man, go for it!

I was pretty astounded the first time I loaded a Feather blade in Merkur HD. They are impressively sharp. I'd like to pickup one of the Artist shavettes from Feather, and have heard those blades are insanely sharp, possibly even too sharp.

double edge, carbon steel blade
Sharp edges; may be broken in half lengthwise (protect fingers and use eye protection). This is the preferred razor blade for use with the Microslicer™, Vibratome®, and other vibrating blade microtomes.
Length: 42.8mm (1.685")
Cutting Edge Length: 36mm (1.42")
Width: 22mm (.865")
Thickness: 0.127mm (.005")

Actually equally as sharp and thinner than the pro bladeshttp://straightrazorpalace.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Marketing is amazing isn't it. Likewise with the Parker straight all metal is the same because its stainless I can boil mine as well to sterilise it. Sounds like some people are falling for the coca cola pepsi trick within the razor community.

I have ordered some pro blades to test out and I will let you know if they shave better or the same for me.

Peace

I use shavettes all day to "line up" people of African descent. I have tried several different types of blades and the only ones I haven't liked all that much were the smaller persona blades.

Many African Americans have issues with keloids or "bumps" because of the type of hair they have. I haven't had the opportunity to bring a traditional straight that has been honed properly to school with me but I am interested to see what if any difference there will be. For me personally I feel that disposable blade razors give a much more harsh shave over a professionally honed razor.

The other thing that I have noticed with disposable blade razors is that halfway through a shave they start pulling and I have to flip the blade over. I often wonder if a traditional straight will hold an edge better on more coarse hair.

I am interested to hear your input on the subject.

Originally Posted by detroyt

I use shavettes all day to "line up" people of African descent. I have tried several different types of blades and the only ones I haven't liked all that much were the smaller persona blades.

Many African Americans have issues with keloids or "bumps" because of the type of hair they have. I haven't had the opportunity to bring a traditional straight that has been honed properly to school with me but I am interested to see what if any difference there will be. For me personally I feel that disposable blade razors give a much more harsh shave over a professionally honed razor.

The other thing that I have noticed with disposable blade razors is that halfway through a shave they start pulling and I have to flip the blade over. I often wonder if a traditional straight will hold an edge better on more coarse hair.

I am interested to hear your input on the subject.

detroyt,

I agree...As an African American I was plagued with razor bumps for decades--until I switched from multiblade razors and canned goo to a DE first last September, then to a str8 razor last December. The skin on my face has never looked or felt better. I have no razor bumps at all.

Personally, I have never used the disposable str8 that sabatica refers to. My barber has used a disposable str8 razor on me, however, when I got a shave and a haircut.

Now that I have become proficient with a str8 razor at home, I can skip the barber shave for the part and just get a haircut.

Just my 2 cents...

Originally Posted by sabatica

double edge, carbon steel blade
Sharp edges; may be broken in half lengthwise (protect fingers and use eye protection). This is the preferred razor blade for use with the Microslicer™, Vibratome®, and other vibrating blade microtomes.
Length: 42.8mm (1.685")
Cutting Edge Length: 36mm (1.42")
Width: 22mm (.865")
Thickness: 0.127mm (.005")

Actually equally as sharp and thinner than the pro bladeshttp://straightrazorpalace.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Marketing is amazing isn't it. Likewise with the Parker straight all metal is the same because its stainless I can boil mine as well to sterilise it. Sounds like some people are falling for the coca cola pepsi trick within the razor community.

I have ordered some pro blades to test out and I will let you know if they shave better or the same for me.

Peace

If you're talking about Feather Pro blades, they have a different design to the half-DE blades used in a Shavette...I'm not sure they'll fit in your Parker.

I dont understand what being african has to do with wanting to keep a close line to the beard?
When I have a beard, I too like to keep a close, straight and symetric line to it - and I am not african.

My point was not whether you are African or not. So I apologise if it was misunderstood.

My point was in getting sharp lines I have found that it varies depending on ones hairtype. My close friend who is greek gets absolutely sharp lines with a normal facial/beard trimmer however sadly I don't.

I agree with the other point raised about razor bumps being quite common on African descent people, especially barber shaves and cuts. However I have found a solution that finally works not only for me but other friends as well. That is using these Japanese feather blades when shaving but we must not forget about the many steps leading up to preparing the skin for a good shave.

My routine is as follows: (if this helps anyone then let me know, if it doesn't then you must find what works for you.) Medicine is also similar, some treatments work better on some than others.

Equipment:

Parker all metal 31r disposable straight razor blade holder. (All stainless steel because it is less likely to tarnish if treated reasonably well.)

Japanese feather blades

Exfoliating gloves

Shave oil of any kind with mentholatum to open your pores al little bit more

Badger hair brush and any soap smell you like.

Warm water

Oil based parfum to moisturise

Dry Cloth, hot water etc.


Steps:

1. Soak/wet facial hair in warm-hot water
2. Exfoliate face and neck with gloves x3
3. wipe off excess water but do not dry completely
4. Oil shave area with shave oil in a short quick massage to help work oil into skin
5. Prepare soap and lather shave area
6. Shave down stroke as needed
7. Shave upstroke for the more experienced users/closer shave
8. Wash face with warm-hot water
9. Pat face dry
10. Mark edges to whatever design you desire in short sharp controlled movements. All downstroke
11. Wash face with handful of warm-hot water
12. Pat dry don not rub as this may irritate the skin
13. Apply oil parfum (it Stings in a good way) as it moisturises your face, especially if you live in a cold/windy environment.
14. Take apart your parker 31r razor rinse clean then dry wipe it as well ass your japanese feather blade. Then spray some oil on all parts don't overdo it.
15. reassemble everything and now it is ready for the next shave.

All in all this process is not that long fully enjoyable and works for me. The blade is truly impressive in the double edge category.

I hope this helps and I hope I was able to clarify my statements with no offence intended. Well off to study but I love this forum.

One other thing I forgot to mention with regard to razor bumps is that regular cleaning and shaving will reduce the razor bumps a person may get. However, if you already have severe razor bumps speak to a dermatologist for professional advice. If you want to get rid of a few minor razor bumps that have occurred due to ingrown hair, you can get some hot water and a needle and remove the ingrown hair/ or ask you partner to help. This is the most common cause of razor bumps in African descent people.

However if you suffer from keloids this is a problem due to collagen and I would not recommend attempting to even think about trying this as it will only make matters worse. Please refer to your dermatologist or even raise it with your GP for further advice.

All the best and keep the feedback coming. Give the razors a try and oh my setup went from being an expensive traditional straight to a cheaper alternative not because of the price but the results and they simply speak for themselves. Although I still love the art of sharpening and stropping a blade.

Another side note to remember is that if you held the sharpest blade sword/scalpel/knife in your hand it still requires time and experience to truly master it. So don't give up and happy shaving.