Thread: Interesting shavette: review

So curiosity got the better of me, and I spotted a shavette in this style (for significantly less, as it happens, than the Holy Black example in this style I asked about in another thread). Just gave it a run.

I've tried two styles before now-- a vintage one much like a Weck (a Spornette, I think it's called), and a cheapo style (sorry to not be more specific -- it's the one I always see in a thousand variations, but always very inexpensive). Both were, to me, wickedly difficult, and always ended up cutting me. I stopped using both of them entirely.

This thing was an entirely different experience. It's much heavier, for one thing. Feels substantial, and the quality is good. Has horn scales. The blade holder needed tightening (easily done), and then it was fine.

It was weirdly like a DE -- so little blade is exposed that you have to find a very exact angle or it won't cut. It was almost a "safety shavette." This was easier, far more comfortable, and did a great job. A few weepers because I was in a hurry, but there you go -- I could actually be in a hurry without worrying about anything, first time out. Not a constant battle to make sure nothing got accidentally removed from my face. I highly recommend this style of shavette -- easy and comfortable.

Oh, and it takes a half-blade or a whole.

Nice! I saw one similar to that, but with ivory colored scales on ebay and almost bought it. I wasn't sure of the quality or how good it would shave. May try and pick one up in the future. I like the look of it. Very cool!

I ended up getting the bone scale razor from the Holy Black, and I agree it is a great shaver. I did cut myself, not because of the design but because I got careless and put the blade down straight onto my jaw.

Aloha!

Thanks, OP.

I'd like to give this a try. I have had a love/hate relationship with Shavettes for a long time. I've tried quite a few. For me, Shavettes amplify (greatly amplify) any slight errors I make in my shaving style. Even with my beloved Voskhod blades installed. I have quite a few and some of them show very little blade, as you said, OP, like a safety razor Shavette. But they still amplify my errors and it's cut, nick, weep and razor burn city if I am not extremely careful. My Straight is so much more forgiving.

But I persevere. I just did a complete Shavette shave on Sunday and was OK except for one razor burn on my left jaw line. The kind that looks liek a worm, and raises a bit to mock a scar that is healing. It went away (mostly) by this afternoon with my Witch Hazel Homebrew that includes Aloe and White Willow Bark and Tea Tree Oil.

I'll look for this style and give it a try.

Mahalo!

-Zip

Shavettes frighten me 10x more than DE razors (right up there with the sci-fi horror movie, Event Horizon).

"Go straight or bust!"

Just to follow up, after just one week of using this shavette it has legitimately become my favorite razor. It is unforgiving, but so darn rewarding. I got one of the best shaves of my life today in two passes with touchups. Great razor.