Thread: Tried The Shavette

Blade angle is most likely the culprit. For a shavette you want to be around a 40 degree angle and since it is so light weight make sure you are not added extra weight to compensate for it. It will cut even with the very light weight of the shavette.

I used a Durham Duplex shavette for about 3 months before switching to a SR. You do have to use a light touch with them or they will dig into your skin. Shaving angle can be anywhere from 20 to 80 degrees and it should cut through the hair. Above a 60 degree angle you start risking razor burn though.
If the blade is sharp it shouldn't be tugging if the angle is kept below 45 degrees. You might want to try another blade in it, I've dulled a few pulling them out and catching them on the box.

How are you nicking yourself?

Shavette blades do not have forgiving corners. Be very mindful of a flat blade and don't drag the tip as it'll bite. It took me quite a while to get to a point where I can have a decent shave without cutting myself - don't be discouraged.

As noted above: light touch. Keep the strokes short.
When I started I found a flatter blade angle worked better and slowly worked up the angle (I'd guess I use around 30-40deg).

For dragging I've also found that leading with the heel slightly (very slightly) as you try to shave by almost inducing a "slicing" action to the hairs helped. But the biggest contributor I had was the blade itself. A duller blade (e.g. Derby) was noticeably less comfortable than a sharper one (e.g. Feather). I can't comment on the Dovo blade as mine uses half-DE blades.

Well, I'm not one to give up. I'm going to take all of these instructions and apply them.

Shavettes are great learning tools because they are so demanding to shave with. If you get to the point where you can efficiently use one then the changeover to real straights will be a cinch. I started that way and found it helpful.

Originally Posted by ace

Shavettes are great learning tools because they are so demanding to shave with. If you get to the point where you can efficiently use one then the changeover to real straights will be a cinch. I started that way and found it helpful.

Not to go against my buddy Ace. But I started with a shavette as well but felt that it didn't help at all to learn to use a real straight. Only because the angles and weight are way different. But on a budget you can't go wrong there's zero upkeep on a shavette which is nice. I still use my every once in a while. My first two shaves I looked like I tried to shave with an angry badger. It gets better/easier quickly.

Originally Posted by ace

Shavettes are great learning tools because they are so demanding to shave with. If you get to the point where you can efficiently use one then the changeover to real straights will be a cinch. I started that way and found it helpful.

I'd agree with you on this, a shavette certainly teaches you a tender, careful touch. I found they are very unforgiving, and will bite you in a flash, and as you point out, if you can use one of these, then the change to straights is much easier than say going from a safety razor to a straight, at least that was my experience.

It is unforgiving and the lack of weight does make it a little more difficult. I can see how a true "straight" could actually be easier to learn with. I'm going to send my W&B to Lynn to get it shave ready, try it, and if I learn to use it and like it (should know in about 3 to 5 shaves if I'll like it), then invest in a good strop and maybe multiple razors.

Originally Posted by Phrank

I'd agree with you on this, a shavette certainly teaches you a tender, careful touch. I found they are very unforgiving, and will bite you in a flash, and as you point out, if you can use one of these, then the change to straights is much easier than say going from a safety razor to a straight, at least that was my experience.

+1 to this and Ace's comment. I started with a shavette and was able to master it rather quickly getting irritation free BBS shaves and when I switched over to a straight I found it a very easy switch (after I got my straight very sharp).

I used a shavette for almost exclusively for about 20 years, and as Phrank stated it´s very unforgiving, one little distraction and you will get cut. I handle the shavettes differently them the straights, i put my fingers closer to the blade and also use it in a different angle. Despite of my experience with them i almost never used it against the grain, because it is somewhat difficult and dangerous.