Thread: New to shavettes, but experienced with straights. Please help me find smooth blades!

I have nearly 10 years experience with straights and have in this time thoroughly enjoyed using, maintaining and collecting them, and various natural hones.

Life has changed for me in the last few years and I simply do not have the time on a regular basis, to strop, clean, maintain and oil razors after use. I had been growing beards intermittently between straight shaves, but SWMBO hates them. I picked up a DOVO shavette which I have been using with Merkur Super blades as it is rare now, although special when I can, find time for a straight razor. The Merkur blades are the standard DE size.

I didn't want to take the plunge and fork out for a Feather AC just yet so bought the shavette in case any of y'all slate me.

If I shave with a shavette once a week, the shave is smooth, irritation free and probably better than a straight, provided a stick to one pass WTG and one ATG. If I want to shave every other day, I get irritation, and the shave is harsh, unless I only do one pass. I don't have this problem with a straight anywhere near to this extent.

Please can you help me choose a smoother blade, assuming any exist? Or, am I better off with the Feather AC? I appreciate any help.

The best blade in my dovo shavette has been the Polisiver Super iridium. Smooth and sharp!

There is a huge variety of DE blades on the market and not all are created equal. Preference for a particular DE blade/blades is a personal thing and varies person to person. I'd suggest getting a sample pack of blades and test them to see which is best for you.

I have not shaved with a shavette but understand the technique is not quite the same as for a straight razor, iirc it involves the angle used. Quite a few people in this thread https://straightrazorpalace.com/shav...-straight.html mention the proper angle to use. I'd also suggest using a very light touch.

Bob

I shave with most kinds of razors. As I age, I find that I tend to use the Kamisori style disposable blade razors. A longer blade, well supported ( Now the long lasting blades are commonly available makes the difference over a regular shavettte.

Other dealers and on line vendors have them also.

These two I have experience with and find I like both of them!

JMO, YMMV
~Richard

Thanks for your replies gents. I have ordered some Polisiver Super iridium. Geezer - what is the advantage of the Kamisori style over regular?

Originally Posted by Scipio

Thanks for your replies gents. I have ordered some Polisiver Super iridium. Geezer - what is the advantage of the Kamisori style over regular?

JMO, YMMV
They have a longer single edge blade and the corners are a bit protected. I like them because they are close to the weight of a regular straight. I did not enjoy having to be very careful of the corners of the DE shavettes.
A normal DE edge is about 1.5 inches and the Kamisori blade is about 2.5 inches and closer to a regular straight razor. Blade angle to skin is all im,important. The Kami type requires a bit larger angle to my face for a good shave. Partially, I think, due to the razor "blade coming closer to the edge of the replaceable blade.

I use mine to have a consistent standard to compare to the the edges I put on my straight razors. I also use it when I am a bit shaky with old age and do not want to beware of the toe of a straight, it is easier to see what I am doing!.

I shaved with mine this AM and have a very good one pass shave

Again, your mileage may vary.

~Richard
PS. The blades are more expensive but do last a long time.
PPS, Do try different blades in your shavette, The thickness/ stiffness of the blade makes a big difference in the quality of the shave an the tendency to bite the unwary!

I use Personna Platinum DE Blades think they suit my skin and go well with my FOCUS Slim AL and Dove Shavette think it's trial an error to find the blade suited for the user.

I dont use a shavette. But i do like the idea of the one Richard posted. Might have to give that a try some day. For DE blades! I like the Gillette Silver Blue. Comfortably sharp. But as it was said, the blade that works for you may not be best for me. Its a 0ersonnal preferance. Buy a sample pack and give a bunch a try. You may find Shark blades good for you. Where i would toss them in the trash. Ha.

I honestly think different DEs razors are better suited for different DE razor blades. For example, I prefer Feather blades in most of my DE’s, but hate them in another.

That’s to say, buy a sample pack. Who knows what’ll work best for you.

As for the Feather Artist Club, I used one almost exclusively for a little over a year. Once you master the angle and find the blade you love (I use a flatter angle), you’ll be rewarded with some seriously comfortable, maintenance free shaves. Nice.

Originally Posted by Geezer

PPS, Do try different blades in your shavette, The thickness/ stiffness of the blade makes a big difference in the quality of the shave an the tendency to bite the unwary!

For me, this is what spells the difference between shaving with a wedge/near-wedge/half-|quarter-hollow ground straight razor and a full-hollow ground. A large part is, certainly, the fear of slicing myself, but an equally-large (if not larger) part is "the tendency [for a thin, "springy" blade] to bite the unwary [ME!]"

As a long-time DE/SE user, one tip: "Corking" the blade before use often helps prevent skin irritation. I've read that "corking" is not unlike stropping, which makes sense.