Thread: Straights alongside shavettes

I am of the opinion that, despite the number of razors one may own (I only have 1 right now), it may not be a bad idea to have a cheap shavette like a Magic or similar. Sometimes I will miss a small patch of my beard on the final cleanup pass and as I am rubbing the witch hazel on my face, I feel it. Rather than get my SR back out after being dried and oiled, I just open the shavette, put a tiny bit of lather (if I have not yet cleaned my brush) or my after shave balm on the missed area, give it a few quick licks with the shavette, and I'm good to go. Even if I had a 7day set of razors (I WISH!), I'd still use a shavette to clean up a small missed area.

Anybody else do this?

I have a few shavettes and do this on occasion. You could also do it with a safety razor. Nothing wrong with this practice.

Of course, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.

I find most shavettes (with the possible exception of the Feather AC and similar designs) only substitutes for a straight razor that do not convey the pleasure of a straight shave.

After the straight shave, I prefer to do any necessary clean-up with the straight I have been using. I know my face by now well enough that I know where the trouble spots are and can judge the quality of my shave (and any possible need for some touch-up) while my face is still wet and straight razor and shaving loaded brush are still handy.

I am too lazy to clean a straight razor and straight razor substitute afterwards.


B.


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If you're going to do cleanup, I'd suggest a decent DE instead of a shavette, because you can also use it to get a good shave in a pin, and, more importantly, you're not using your straight-like techniques and thus learning muscle memory that won't work the same on a SR.

JMHO.

Harold, I have considered a DE for such occasions where I may overlook a small area. My thing is, just how aggressive would benefit me? Since I am already used to shavettes with Feather blades (I used shavettes for 3.5 months before purchasing a SR), would I be well served with a Muhle R41 or should I back it off a bit and go to a Merkur 34c or even an Edwin Jagger DE89?

But on the other hand, the money I would spend on one of those razors could go for a couple new creams, a Simpson Wee Scott brush, or put towards a second SRD strop (such as the premium 1) to compliment my English Bridle strop?

Gotta love this hobby...

IMO, if you are used to the feel of a shavette or SR, then you won't go wrong with the most aggressive DE that is available within reason. My search for a DE that meets my expectations after using an edged blade led me to the R41. Various generations of the R41 are known to be more aggressive than others, but the current generation is plenty aggressive to satisfy me. Before I got it, I was shaving regularly with a cheapo $15 butterfly DE and feather blades and getting good results. The R41 is a whole different animal. I feel like I get a similar "exfoliated" feel after my R41/Feather shaves that I get with my SR. I treat myself to an SR shave when I feel like it and have the time, but my daily goto is my R41.


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I got an R41 head on a sale and matched it with a Maggard handle. It is as aggressive a DE as I've used, and I've tried many. I loved it for a while, then moved on. Now if I'm going non-SR, I go with the Mongoose.

My rationale on shavettes is, if you're going to take the care to shave slowly, so as to not damage oneself, why use an imitation SR, so I don't. I stick with a wide variety of straights, unless traveling or rushing.

How about you do a check, and WH application before you clean the razor? If all is good, go about stowing the razor while the WH dries and then apply A/S or Balm. No shavette or DE required.

Originally Posted by Sxot

How about you do a check, and WH application before you clean the razor? If all is good, go about stowing the razor while the WH dries and then apply A/S or Balm. No shavette or DE required.

I'd say about 99% of the time, that's what I do. However, there has been a couple times where I have been in a hurry (although I NEVER hurry the shave itself) and I get the razor dried and post-shave stropped (10/10 passes to clean the edge). My WH has already been applied but when I put on the balm, that's when I seem to notice it.

I've had a shavette for a long time and when I fell off the SR bandwagon, it was all I used for ~4 years. I have tried a DE, but could never get the hang of it. As a result, my finesse and speed shaving is probably the best with it and will use it to clean up a bit on occasion. Especially if I miss a couple hairs around the facial hair or need to clean up the unibrow, nothing is easier (irrespective to experience) to use for detailing, imho. Also, I have to do an WTG on one jawline perpendicularly away from the mouth to ear, the higher angle required for the shavette makes it easier with a bushy chin. However, these are pretty highly specific reasons for me, but it feels a little soulless being the youngest shaver I own.