Thread: Backwoods Razor

Hey guys!!! Long time no see! Quick refresher for you. I'm an Experiential Educator and I spend alot of time in the woods and mountains. Over the past couple years I have been shaving with a DOVO Classic. Throughout this time I have learned to love a straight save but I have also encountered a MAJOR issue. First off, due to backpacking constantly, carrying my strop with me has become excessive weight that is difficult to keep from ruining. During this past summer while working in the mountains of NC I encountered multiple issues of mold growing upon my strop due to the in capability of drying out the strop as much as needed before the next rain. Due to the shape of a strop and my distaste for even the slightest rinkle in my strop it is difficult to keep it safe from water inside my pack when it rains for multiple days. To increase my issues my beautiful Dovo has started to have minor discoloration due to being in such a high humidity area.

On the possitive side, I have been able to introduce close to 200 youth to straight razor shaving over the past couple years. I highly enjoy my straight but need a razor that is more friendly to someone that lives in the great outdoors as much as I do along with giving me the opportunity to teach straight shaving in the field. For this reason I am investing in a couple shavettes. I am in desperate need of people's experience with these razor holders and razor blades. After reading through the forums I am curious as to what the big differences between shaves of the Parker SS and Dovo shavette, and what blades are people enjoying with these edge carriers.

Thanks for your help,

Scar

Scar, I am by far no expert but why don't you get a stainless straight. That may be better than a shavette. I understand they are alittle harder to hone but also keep a edge a little longer. I don't know for sure as I don't have one as of this. But my Wife has gotten me a Henckels Friodur INOX but I do not have it yet. But I'll be sure and let you know as soon as I've gotten it.

Slam,

Part of my issues is keeping my strop safe in my pack. While on program it is not uncommon for me to have my pack maxed out and keeping from ruining my strop becomes more and more difficult as the amount of equipment becomes greater. I already keep my razor safe in a toothbrush holder and figure I could do the same with a disposable razor. This will be a program razor so that I can leave my strop at home where it is safe.

Hey Scar-Have you thought about a waterproof, hard-sided cylindrical container you could roll up your strop, razor, and all other shaving necessities in? I'm thinking of some sort of map tube or appropriately-shaped tupperware container. You know, sort of like the all-in-one cookpots you can stow stove, fuel, bowls, etc. inside. You could even cut down a cheap fly-rod tube (not hard to do if I can do it). Just a thought. On the other hand, any one of those methods could become a moisture trap in the always-humid NC mountains.

Personally, I don't shave when backpacking, but then again I only go out for a couple of nights at a time, and I'm not trying to teach youth, especially since I retired from being a Scoutmaster!

Whereabouts in NC do you pack? I'm partial to the Pisgah area, around the Blue Ridge Parkway, and over towards the Smokies, anywhere there's a trout stream!

Have you used an otter box with a silica pack? Just a thought
How are you carrying the rest of your shaving stuff?

I've used Coghlan's waterproof pouches for years while backpacking/canoeing. I use 'em for straightrazor, cellphone, and other water sensitive items. I just put some dry rice in mine to keep the moisture level down. I carry a small barber hone, and strop on a mil-surplus canvas web or leather belt. A piece of leather the size of the barber hone was tried for a while, but I don't think it's worth carrying if you have a usable belt.

Ive got a Parker and couldnt be happier with it , I dont have the dovo so I cant do a comparison , but for price alone I chose the Parker ....found the quality to be very good made in india ...you do know that the SS model is plastic handled , they all have a stainless blade arm and brass blade placement pins but handles are plastic ..the SS has chrome plated plastic handle ..Ive seen a few post were users thought the handle to be metal ..they hold the blade very secure and are a snap to change out ,I would guess the Parker would be ya best bet in the bush as its one piece ..the dovo being 2 piece so ifya loose the plastic blade sleeve no shave ..also the plastic sleeve folds open to accomadate the blade and I wonder if over time that plastic hindge could break ? the Parker shaves a dream ....with derbys or feathers the derby being a bit more forgiving on me ... I cant fault my Parker in fact Im goin to buy another for a spare...I got plenty'a straits but often reach for the Parker

I have the shavette. I used it once or twice. So, I didn't like it, and don't have enough experience to really comment on it with authority. Then again, it's Sunday and the authority police are all in Church.

I found the shave unforgiving and harsh. The razor comes across as poorly balanced and hard to use too.

Finding the right blade is probably important. I tried many types of blades. I got a special deal on the razor with every type of blade imaginable. Didn''t find one that I liked, but I did figure out that blade type is important. The nice smooth edge of a traditional straight razor balances well with the lack of a guard (like a DE). Add a traditional DE blade without the DE guard and you've got a recipe for nicks and trouble.

I think the shavette, if you tried it would require lots of practice. Again, without any authority or real experience I would recommend the other choice on your list, first.

Again, take this post with a grain of salt. I'm not an expert, I just shave with these things.

Hey Scar,

Sounds like you have a pretty great job. I love shaving with a straight in the backcountry - feels pretty authentic. The Heirloom Razor Strop company produces a 100% synthetic vegan strop - I don't know how this would fair in high humidity/moisture environments - might be worth looking into or maybe one of the other gents can chime in here if they know. The stainless razor is a good idea and much better than a shavette - IMO. You might also consider a Feather if you really want to go the replaceable blade route - they certainly have some appeal.

Okay, so this thread intrigued me and I bought a Parker razor for myself. I like it very much. Feels very similar to a straight shave. Surprisingly, its no sharper than my straight razor but the shave was excellent. Only variance was that the shave was just a tad harsher, the razor is thinner, and it is also lighter.

I was very impressed with the shave and the build quality of the razor. I purchased the Parker razor with 120, yes 120 blades, for $22. Very awesome deal.

Very happy with the purchase and can recommend it.

I will add that I have always thought the perceived sharpness of a DE blade was not in the sharpness at all. Now I continue to think that the perceived sharpness comes from the teflon coating (MParker's theory, not mine) or the general design and physics of the DE razor itself (such as how it adds weight at the edge of the razor behind the blade ((my theory)).

Anyway, two thumbs up for the Parker. In my opinion, several orders of magnatude better than a shavette.

I should add that the blades that came with the razor are "Shark" brand. I was surprised to find that I like them very much.