Thread: spoiled by a shavette.

I'm with you, Ty. I learned how to use my straight on the shavette and I still like it. I graduated up to a real straight, but the shavette is the one I travel with. Also, I haven't learned how to rehone my straight yet, so I need to get it sharpened and I'm using the shavette until I get that skill under my belt.

I'm now embarking on learning how to use a DE, as my skin can't take any straight every day, causing me to need to use my Fusion several times a week.

i started off for the first year with a shavette and loved it but i just got a dovo prima klang and it was professionally honed by lynn. its way smoother then my shavette ever was. just keep at it and when you get the honing down itll get smoother and you wont regret it.

Didnt want to start a new topic on this subject as this one already exsisted.

I used a Dovo stainless shavette back in November 12. It was my first attempt at shaving with a straight blade and I managed to cut myself nicely (still carry 2 small scars on my left cheek from that one).

I then ordered a Dovo straight razor from Straight Razor Designs with a strop and began using that, carefully following the directions on this site. I found the shave to be good but not as smooth as I lexpected. Perhaps my stropping wasnt up to par? So I ordered a second Dovo straight razor from the same place. These Dovo razors are shave ready when delivered. The second razor shaved about the same as the first, maybe slightly better.

I continued to shave with the Dovo straight razors for another 2 months and my technique improved somewhat. I also exchanged emails with Lynn about proper blade maintenance. During this time I was tempted to again try the shavette but the slicing experience was keeping me away from it.

Today I got up enough courage to once again try the shavette. My improved technique made this shave much nicer than the first.

I found that the shavette will shave as close or closer as the straight and with less irritation. With the straight razor I may have to pass over the area on the sides of my chin several times to get it nice and smooth but the shavette will do the job in one or two passes. On the other hand, the straight razor is more forgiving and less likely to cut me than the shavette, which is extremly sharp.

Last time I saw my barber, Carmin Sorintino, we had a discussion about the disposable straights now used in barber shops (Carm has been cutting my hair since I was 16 and I'm 62 now). He claims the disposables are sharper than the straights he used to use and he actually prefers them (he still does shaves). He also recommends only shaving with the grain and perhaps accross it. But never against it.

Now these are my personal obsevations and I'm not trying to convince anyone of what they should do or not do. I use both the shavette and the straight. The shavette is great for travel. I really enjoy stropping and shaving with the staright as well but it does irritate the skin on my neck more and I cant use it more than a few days in a row.

I'm glad I tried them both. And they both have a place in my shaving routine.

The shavette was harder for me to learn than a straight, but I still recommend starting with a shavette because it is an inexpensive way to try straight shaving. As you have discovered, it takes desire and commitment to master the beast.

I had the desire, because I had decades of dissatisfaction with multiblade razors and was fascinated with the use of the straight razor in movies.

I started with a true straight and by the time I got a razor, strop, and 4k/8k/12k stones, I spent some major bucks. That is a lot to spend to try something.

Actually I'm torn between the two. Ive always had the goal of simplifying my life and lets face it, straight razors arent exactly simple with the stropping and honing routine. The shavette on the other hand is quite simple and foolproof, once one gets the hang of it.

I think my ego gets in the way because the shavette isnt seen as a "real" straight. And I have to admit I'm drawn to the straight because of its nostaliga.

But if you want simple, affordable and a good close shave with a straight single blade, its hard to beat the shavette. A Dovo stainless shavette and 20 blades will set you back only about $50.00 and no stropping or honing ever.

Life can tough sometimes. LOL

Since my last contribution to this thread (thanks for kicking it up again, BTW), I've switched primarily to a DE razor for daily shaving and a straight razor for when I stay away from home overnights for work. I have been using the Shavette almost all the time when I use a straight because it has gotten a lot easier for me to simply replace a blade than to send out a razor for sharpening and then to strop. And when I use a straight, I can go two days between shaves instead of the daily shave required of me when I use a DE.

You're right about the shavette being sharper and less forgiving. For me, at least, it is only for the first three shaves. I always look like I went three rounds against a cat and lost. But after three shave sessions it works like any other straight for me. And I've got a permanent scar near my right ear during my learning curve from the shavette also.

Its nice to know I'm not alone having a few battle scars LOL

I have tough, dark beard (but getting more and more gray), espically where one would grow a gotee. Had to shave twice a day when I was in the service; once for morning inspection and a second time before I could get into the mess hall for dinner.

Even with a close shave I have to do the morning ritual every day. But the shave from the shavette does last longer into the day than the straight razor, at least right now it does.

Ill continue using the straight razor as much as I can and see if the continued shaving and stropping and practice improves the closeness of the shave. But the shavette will remain handy as well.

At least now I can use either one without cutting my face to ribbons.

Originally Posted by therewillbeblood

At least now I can use either one without cutting my face to ribbons.

If you're like me, sometimes you'll go through a stretch where your face gets unusually irritated after a shave. I guess it could be symtomatic of a blade needing a touch up, but most often for me it's when I find myself rushing up and applying too much pressure. Over time I've gotten faster and without realizing it I'm going faster and applying more pressure than is needed.

After about a week of this I "wake up" and say, "Hey, dummy, not so rough!" Then I deliberately take things a little slower and get the closeness and comfort I'm used to having.

This is better than my experience with multiblade razors. I never could seem to find a way to get the desired results with that. With the straight razor I can self-correct.

I had purchased a $1 shavette for my first experiments into "straight-like" shaving about six months back. I found it difficult to manipulate around curves due to the the flatness and slipperiness of the polished tang. The shavette used to rotate uncomfortably (sometimes without warning) between my fingers which could very easily prove lethal during a shave.

I therefore cut a few grooves (jimps) (see Image) into the top and bottom edge in an attempt to improve grip. It helped marginally. But it was far from satisfactory.



During one shave at that stage I managed a large nick on my left cheek, (largely due to my lack of control on presssure and angle) that has persisted as a scar till today. It is a painful reminder every day I shave, that I need to be meticulous and focussed, or to simply put down the razor till I manage compose myself. Women and children darting around in the foreground / background are an unwelcome distraction that can easily leave a mark in red, many a time.

The shavette was put away for a few months since my newly acquired, shiny little toy had arrived in the form of a Merkur Futur. In time I had mastered it and was running it fully open at 6.5 using a Feather blade. I suddenly needed a new challenge in the form of a new skill to acquire. (We men shall always be boys, wont we?) So the shavette managed to see the light of day again.

I have always been inspired by the Japanese Kamisori style designs, where there are no scales to interfere with your clear vision of the site of action, nor to physically interfere in the process. ( I do shave with my reading glasses on, and the scales don't like them since they always seem to block their path).

The Inoue Tosuke design took my fancy. (See Image below)



I therefore decided to alter my standard shavette further to make it easier to grip between the fingers and manoeuvre around the jawline using the Inoue Tosuke as a design inspiration.

I drilled out the pin and removed the scales intact in case they would be needed in future.

I took a knive with a suitable looking handle, and took an impression (mould) of it in Alginate. (The yellow / pink material that dentists use to take a mould of your teeth). Self polymerizing Acrylic resin was poured into the mould and the shavette set into it allowing for 1 1/2 " of tang length from the heel to be left exposed (Images 1, 2) to allow the flexing required to load and eject the blade. (The two halves were being permanently locked into place and shall not rotate anymore)

Using my hand to grip the unfinished handle both ways, (i.e. thumb towards edge and index finger towards edge) the handle was marked and contoured with depressions for the thumb and fingers. (See Images)





Finally I ground it smooth, sandpapered it and buffed it to a reasonable finish and shine.



The handling has improved immensely. The shavette can be rotated between my thumb and fingers in a very controlled and reliable manner now without any signs of slipping. Time to test drive it.

On my first attempt, I managed a BBS with a two pass on my cheeks and neck. I never expected to even attempt ATG much less complete it. This far exceeded my expectations with a shavette at this stage. My tail was up, a little prematurely though, as I moved to the more challenging sections of the face with my hands beginning to tremble a little.
The chin experienced some tugging, and on persevering I managed a very small nick.
Discretion being the better part of valour (especially with anything involving a sharp blade) I decided to quit for the day. I completed the chin and upper lip with my Merkur Futur set at 6.5 with an Astra Superior Platinum blade.

I need to now find a suitable case for my baby. Currently I have to eject the blade when I need to put it away for the day.

Personally I would recommend newbie shavette wannabes like me to use an aggressive DE razor like the Futur at full open (or a slant bar) for a couple of months to get the feel of an unprotected sharp blade on your skin and the pressure control required to achieve a nick-free BBS shave. This will make the transition to a shavette much easier.

Straight razors are banned in India and hence it is unlikely that I shall be ever able to get one through Customs. Hence the shavette remains my only hope of "straight-like" shaving and I intend to make the most of it and definitely not quit my effort without a fair and extensive trial.

These are my experiments that may or may not work for you. As is usual YMMV.

It's been over a year now since I posted to this thread. I still use my Dovo shavette for travel but my everyday razor is a vintage Henckels Emperor straight. I purchased the razor on eBay then learned to properly hone and strop. The difference between this razor and my first one, a Dovo Best Quality, is amazing.

The Henckels shave just as close as the shavette. And, since my technique has improved over the past year, I rarely cut myself with either one. And when I do it's just a small nick.

Its great having the option of using either blade.