Thread: First Time With a Shavette

So, at a gathering of friends last night, I was surprised to be gifted with a shavette, Derby blades, a mug, and an Arko stick. today, therefore saw me shaving both face and noggin with same. Quite an interesting experience compared to using a straight razor. I managed to avoid drawing any serious blood-flow, despite my inexperience and lack of practice recently. Beastie was a little slippery in my hand but, once I got used to the thumb notch, that straightened out easily enough. Going to give it a shot again in a few days, but I have one question . . .

When storing it, should I leave the clamp portion which secures the blade in the "open" position? It seems like doing so would be best as it relieves the tension until needed. I would think that leaving it closed might cause the system to wear out sooner. Thoughts?

Second outing tonight. Less blood, and a smoother finish in some areas that were trouble spots using a straight. This could become a habit.

Originally Posted by Orville

When storing it, should I leave the clamp portion which secures the blade in the "open" position? It seems like doing so would be best as it relieves the tension until needed. I would think that leaving it closed might cause the system to wear out sooner. Thoughts?

Well, I'd think leaving it in the closed position couldn't cause wear, since wear would usually equate to the rubbing (abrasion) of the blade in the clamp. But, if you're talking corrosion due to moisture, then...maybe. But, since it's a replaceable blade, and I assume a stainless, etc. frame, I wouldn't worry about any of the fastening features, but about cleaning the cutting edge. Rinse and ,with a strop motion wipe the blade on a soft cotton towel, etc. to remove any moisture or shaving residue and I think you'll get optimal use of the disposable blade.

Then again, if you're talking about the spring tension wearing out, as in lessening being under tension....I'd have no worries there. Spring steel is very molecularly stable and will last a lot longer than you'll be using that razor.

Either way, I'd just clean it well, and be sure it's dry. As storage under tension, or not. I wouldn't have any concern.

Best Regards,

Howard

What kind of shavette? You can treat Most like a DE razor, and give it a good rinse and a shake and let it dry. No need to remove the blade until your ready to replace it.

It is a Classic Samurai. Person who bought it for me said it was well reviewed. I am still figuring out my best grip, but I like it well enough so far.

Originally Posted by Orville

So, at a gathering of friends last night, I was surprised to be gifted with a shavette, Derby blades, a mug, and an Arko stick. today, therefore saw me shaving both face and noggin with same. Quite an interesting experience compared to using a straight razor. I managed to avoid drawing any serious blood-flow, despite my inexperience and lack of practice recently. Beastie was a little slippery in my hand but, once I got used to the thumb notch, that straightened out easily enough. Going to give it a shot again in a few days, but I have one question . . .

When storing it, should I leave the clamp portion which secures the blade in the "open" position? It seems like doing so would be best as it relieves the tension until needed. I would think that leaving it closed might cause the system to wear out sooner. Thoughts?

Just curious on your thoughts on the differences between using a straight razor and a shavette. Is the angle of the razor in relationship to the face much different? Does the thinness of the DE add any advantage or disadvantage?

Not trying to hijack this post but to answer this question, yes using a shavette and straight are different. The shavette requires more of an angle to the face, say approx. 30 degrees where the straight is less of an angle. Shavettes are not as forgiving, you touch the shavette to your face at the wrong angle or with too much pressure you will get bit. I honestly like a shavette in tight spaces when I grow my beard out lining my beard and such. I would not really say there is much of an advantage really to shavettes aside from not having to have them honed. These are my observations tween the two anyways.

Originally Posted by MajesticShaver

Just curious on your thoughts on the differences between using a straight razor and a shavette. Is the angle of the razor in relationship to the face much different? Does the thinness of the DE add any advantage or disadvantage?

With respect to blade angle, see below for a more educated answer than I can provide.
The biggest difference I have noticed is the ability of the smaller blade (shavette) to manoeuvre in tighter spaces than a straight. That said, I am far from an expert with either so take it for what it's worth.

Originally Posted by ejmolitor37

Not trying to hijack this post but to answer this question, yes using a shavette and straight are different. The shavette requires more of an angle to the face, say approx. 30 degrees where the straight is less of an angle. Shavettes are not as forgiving, you touch the shavette to your face at the wrong angle or with too much pressure you will get bit. I honestly like a shavette in tight spaces when I grow my beard out lining my beard and such. I would not really say there is much of an advantage really to shavettes aside from not having to have them honed. These are my observations tween the two anyways.

Really? Because I have been using a fairly shallow angle with my shavette compared to my straights. I think that the shavette is akin to a DE razor in terms of how it should be used, but I will give the bigger angle idea a try next shave. You are ABSOLUTELY correct about it's ability to dig in. The blade on mine extends about 1mm from the housing but still manages to draw blood if I am careless or inexpert.

I went with a shavette first to see if I would like straight shaving and I have a super cheap Magic brand. I first tried a shallow angle and ended up with blood drawn and it skipped across my face more so than glide. I did some research and found most guys used a more open angle and that does the trick. I only have the experience with my cheapy so I can not say beyond that. But as they say on here it is your shave enjoy it in the end what you can make work is what works. Glad you are enjoying it though I am not going back to cartridges I know that. Don't let that sucker bit ya to hard

I don't use a blade twice anymore. I did when I first got it, and noticed it would have hair and soap residue on the clamp area. I will pull the blade and clean it all out, dry everything off, and store it without a blade. I'll put a new one in before I shave the next time.