Electric Fires

This is not a criticism of these tools or their users, I am just curious to know why people use these things as an alternative to a straight. I have read they are recommended for guys that just want to explore whether or not using a straight is right for them, or that they are good for those that don't want the hassle of maintenance. Yet surely the experience of using a true straight will be very different, for example I have read that these things are way more aggressive than a straight, and that as a beginner you are more likely to suffer burn, nick or cut yourself, where is the pleasure in that? I would suggest that somebody moving away from the Mach 3's of this world try a safety, double or single, before trying a straight, I certainly did and I do believe it helped me just because it is a more involved shave, you actually 'think' whilst working, as opposed to simply spraying crap on your face and then wiping it off with a Biro. And as for the maintenance free point, well part of the pleasure of using a straight is caring for a cherished possession, if you don't feel that then surely a decent safety would be a more rewarding choice?

I'm assuming you are talking about a shavette. Electric fires is not a thread title that gives me a clue...

A shavette is a CHEAP way of seeing if you like the workings of the straight razor shave. Yes they are more challenging to use then a "real" straight, but you still get the idea.

I would rather spend the $20 and see if I liked it before spending at least $ hundreds on a QUALITY straight, strop, etc..

I'll ask. What is an electric fire?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mrchick

I'll ask. What is an electric fire?

---

When I saw the thread, I thought maybe his electric razor started on fire!

I thought someone started an electrical fire trying to save money by not hiring an actual electrician. :p

Back on topic....

A shavette is not the way to try out a straight razor shave, IMHO. To me, it's like comparing a Japanese kamisori to a western grind straight razor. Two entirely different beasts. While I love the look of the two kamisori I bought, after much trial and error they simply became the show pieces of my collection. I got tired of slicing and dicing my face and didn't like the fact they were designed for my right hand only.

By reading through this forum, I think one can determine whether they are a good candidate to jump into straight razor shaving. If by chance they dislike straight shaving, it's fairly easy to recoup the investment as long as they managed to find decent deals (like some of the bargain razors here in B/S/T).

The title is possibly cryptic I accept.

I imagined an old Wahl.. bursting into flames.

Every time I make a post about me wanting to plug an electric into my 240 volt welder outlet the mods delete it. :rofl2:

I don't whant to start a debate but I used both and first it's true nothing is comparable of the feel of a real straight(traditional)but when you know how to used a shavette you can get results very close to a real straight. To my opinion every razor(DE, SE, shavette or Straight traditional) have there advantage and downfall, everything is in the hand of the user. On my first shaves whit the shavette I cut, nick and suffer irritation but whit PRACTICE you get results you whant. Right now I used more my Shavettes cause of time factor, I don't have time to strop or maintain my straights. To finish up is all a matter of learning.

Perhaps the OP was referring to those 'laser razors'?

The British use the terms fire or electric fire to mean a fireplace, hearth, wood burning stove, electric fireplace.

It's kind of how Canadians talk about hot water heaters. The rest of the world shakes their head, wondering why anyone would want to buy a water heater to heat hot water.....

Then of course there is the term UN Thaw... which technically means to freeze something. You either thaw something or you freeze it.

Back to the op's thoughts. Do not underestimate the power of peers, advertising and general marketing bs. The masses do not wish to think, they prefer to be told what to do while thinking they have freedom of choice and then complain bitterly that *someone* should do something about whatever it is they have finally discovered is nonsense.
They have been told, and believe, it must be "modern" or it's no good.... and besides, what do OLD people know? They are "past it".

Just look at the environmentally friendly crap we're being told. Do not repair "old things", do not maintain "old things", buy the latest high tech tomfoolery. How a half a dozen electric razors are supposed to be more environmentally friendly than one or two 19th century steel blades, a rock dug out of the ground to hone them on, a strip of hide off an old farm animal that is no longer alive to strop them on, and they will last a hundred years or more again, is beyond me. But.... you will get an argument from most young people that we just don't know what we are talking about.

I don't mean to infer that ALL young people are like that, but far too many appear to be incapable of thinking for themselves and act like sheep.... with someone all to happy to be the shepherd and lead them down the path of financial slaughter.

Regards

Kaptain "Depressed about the future" Zero


Of course, after re-reading the first post, I see the general idea is more about the Shavette razor... a barbers tool, for trimming things like the nape of the neck. It eventually got pressed into use for shaving due to the rise of blood born diseases and our knowledge of them. In all honesty the shavette does not really work well for that purpose, they are cheaply made of flimsy folded steel and use equally flimsy blades. A skilled barber can do wonders with them, but for someone trying to shave himself for the first time with an open blade.... I'd suggest they look elsewhere.

The Feather Artist Club razor is made for shaving and it is an excellent tool. The blades are stiff, sharp and smooth. If a gent does not wish to spend time honing a razor, I think it's a reasonable alternative. Not everyone likes to collect postage stamps, or other such pastimes. Even in days gone by, the average gent would take his razor to the barber for honing... he had no choice, as he had neither the time, nor the money a quality hone would cost. It's this very reason that King Camp Gillette was so successful with his "Safety Razor" and it's replaceable, low cost blades.

I feel the shaving experience with any single blade razor, when done properly, is superior to that of any electric or multi bladed cartridge razor. I have used most of them but once I mastered the traditional safety razor, the Feather Artist Club and last but not least, the traditional straight razor, I would never consider going back. But just because I enjoy it, does not mean that every living and breathing man on this planet must do the same.

And, as the OP mentions, I think for those who are not interested in the whole straight razor thing, a quality safety style razor is probably the best route to take... surely better than dealing with a flimsy shavette type razor.

An electrical fire stems from bad wiring..or faulty components...

I liked the idea of shaving with a shavette before spending lots of money on my equipment it gave me an idea of what it was like to hold a straight razor and ultimately use one.
Now that being said, IMO it is not fair to compare straights and shavettes. This is like comparing apples and oranges. The thin blade used in a shavette is different than the edge you will have on a straight even a hollow ground. Although the blade is backed so to speak by the holding mechanism it is still flexible and IMO more flexible than a straight. Second the angle at which a shavette is held to your face is different than a straight as far as I found. I find that my shavette would bite me easier than any straight I have used to date.
All in all I think for the similarities which are basically looks and general handling it is a great way to say yes this is for me or nah I am not into this and will spend no more money. Looking back I am glad I tried it but I have not used my shavette in ages and it is in my work locker just in case I have a crazy hair or two that I missed.

I was thinking razor burn from an electric

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JOB15

An electrical fire stems from bad wiring..or faulty components...

---

But an "electric" fire is local for an electric fireplace, no?

I just watch Escape to the Country on a cable channel... it took me a while to figure out all those references to "fire" that made no sense to me.

I'm still perplexed by the term "Inglenook" fire. I'm still not sure if it is a reference to a specific manufacturer of cast iron stoves or if it is a style of hearth?!?!

Regards

Christian

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

But an "electric" fire is local for an electric fireplace, no?

I just watch Escape to the Country on a cable channel... it took me a while to figure out all those references to "fire" that made no sense to me.

I'm still perplexed by the term "Inglenook" fire. I'm still not sure if it is a reference to a specific manufacturer of cast iron stoves or if it is a style of hearth?!?!

Regards

Christian

---

An electric fire is one of those electrical heater things :) no actual fire involved.. Inglehook must be a manufacturer?

Electric Fire is to Wood Fire as Shavette is to a Straight?

Anyway, I think it is good advice to start wet shaving with a solid safety/DE razor. You learn so much that helps with straights later. I used a DE for several years, then came across this site and went crazy a couple years ago. I use one of my straights almost every day. I have had a Feather SS for a few months now, and can say that it is an engineering and design marvel. It is also dangerously sharp, and I would have been ill-advised to have tried it before I tried a regular straight razor. That being said, one should do what one wants, and will probably be fine. Dive right into whatever you want to dive into, and if you work at it carefully, you'll likely learn how to produce great shaves.

'Electric Fire is to Wood Fire as Shavette is to a Straight?'

That's it, thank you. Again I emphasise I am not being critical here, I just struggle to see where these might be preferable to a DE as a daily all-round shaver. If you are going disposable the DE seems the perfect choice. Just my opinion and I'm happy to be corrected.

An inglenook fireplace is a a fireplace that is in a small alcove of a wall, usually used for cooking back in the day. Some even had seats nearby for the cook so she could stir the pot and tend the fire. Think 17th century farmhouse and you'll be close to the idea.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TomP30

'Electric Fire is to Wood Fire as Shavette is to a Straight?'

That's it, thank you. Again I emphasise I am not being critical here, I just struggle to see where these might be preferable to a DE as a daily all-round shaver. If you are going disposable the DE seems the perfect choice. Just my opinion and I'm happy to be corrected.

---

That's a reasonable position to have. I have all three (straights, DEs, and a Feather SS "shavette"). They each have their place. The Feather SS, though, is so damn sharp it is far more intimidating to use than a straight. If I'm in a hurry, I fall back on my DE.

Given the thread title, I'm not sure why I opened it. But I'm glad I did.

First, while everyone has their preferences, IMO none should prepare to talk negatively about someone else's preferred methods. What works for someone works - and what works for us works. Talk the joys of your preferences, and maybe you will make them converts. Talk ill of their preferences, and maybe you will make them annoyed.

Second, and more to the point, I started with a shavette when I stumbled into an Art of Shaving store. I wet shaved for many years until time efficiency drove me to an electric. I went with the shavette package because it was cheaper and less intimidating than the straight razor. If I didn't like the straight edge, I could still use everything else in the package.

After I found this forum I quickly bought a couple straight razors, but haven't used them yet. It's a lot longer blade than the 1/2 DE blade in my shavette, and I'm trying to figure out how to maneuver it around my face - the goatee takes up a good bit of real estate. Appreciate any advice on that...

I am not totally sure what you are asking.

If it is about straight shaving in general, then start here"
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post409888

If it is about your goatee, then I am of no help.

If you have shaved with a shavette, I would think transitioning to a straight should be fairly easy. Still go to the Beginner's Section and read. Having the prior experience should make the instructions and hints a little easier to understand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TomP30

'Electric Fire is to Wood Fire as Shavette is to a Straight?'

That's it, thank you. Again I emphasise I am not being critical here, I just struggle to see where these might be preferable to a DE as a daily all-round shaver. If you are going disposable the DE seems the perfect choice. Just my opinion and I'm happy to be corrected.

---

I shave quite often with a Feather DX or an Irving Barber when I am on the road. They are both well made razors that approximate the style of an actual straight, and give an excellent shave. I prefer anything with an AC blade to a DE.

As far as the 1/2 DE blade shavettes, I don't especially care for them, but I can see why one could prefer them. They require you to shave with zero pressure, while giving you complete efficiency. To me, that's why any open blade gives such a good shave. They are also incredibly cheap and cheap to use compared to other open blade options, are always sharp, require zero maintenance, and are agile.

As far as preferring them to DE, that's just preference. I struggle to see why anyone likes scrambled eggs better than over easy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rolodave

I am not totally sure what you are asking.

If it is about straight shaving in general, then start here"
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post409888

If it is about your goatee, then I am of no help.

If you have shaved with a shavette, I would think transitioning to a straight should be fairly easy. Still go to the Beginner's Section and read. Having the prior experience should make the instructions and hints a little easier to understand.

---

Thanks for the reply. I've read all the newbie info in the Library, and it provides a wealth of info. Read it several times in fact. Thanks for directing me to it.

My question - if it is one - is just looking at the straight razor I have and seeing that the blade is twice as long as my shavette blade. And since I have a goatee, a chunk of my face is already covered which I don't want to run into with a longer blade. Maybe it's a non-issue and you just automatically adjust as you go. Just wondering if anyone transitioned from a shorter blade to a longer blade and found it seamless, or had a technique that smoothed the way.

You gotta admit, "Electric Fires" is a sure fire, pun intended, way to get some one to look!



Mike

I have to admit, I did open this because of the title... tech guy probs I guess. I can only weigh in so much as a newb, but I am using a 1/2 de shavette I got at sally's, and it is miles better than my old 5 blade shick thing. Now that I'm done razor burning the daylights out of myself, though I am surprised that there have been no cuts yet, I will be buying a true straight once budget allows.