Thread: Shavette Issues

Excellent post Lux. Thanks for sharing this!

I still get every bit as good a shave from most of my straight razors as I have ever received with a disposable. What I mean by a disposable not being as forgiving, it that I feel you are way more prone to nicks when using one. I find the straight razor easier to manipulate and an overall more enjoyable instrument. It's personal preference for me. I had one of the first Feather razors available and it is nice, but not on the top of my hit list. If someone feels comfy starting out with a disposable, it's the one I recommend because of it's weight and feel, but my first preference will always be for the real deal. Have fun. Lynn

Originally Posted by adjustme69

I still get every bit as good a shave from most of my straight razors as I have ever received with a disposable. What I mean by a disposable not being as forgiving, it that I feel you are way more prone to nicks when using one. I find the straight razor easier to manipulate and an overall more enjoyable instrument. It's personal preference for me. I had one of the first Feather razors available and it is nice, but not on the top of my hit list. If someone feels comfy starting out with a disposable, it's the one I recommend because of it's weight and feel, but my first preference will always be for the real deal. Have fun. Lynn

I know what you mean Lynn. I love the Feather and keep it in my rotation, but I still keep mostly str8s. For me being forgiving goes the other way, and the qualiuty of the Feather shave is not exceeded, but there's more to this than just the shave. I now even get a great deal of enjoyment out of honing. Unfortunately (?), I don't do too much of it anymore since I got all my razors into shape. I expect that to change when I start expeimenting using the USB microscope.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the feather considerably more expensive than the Shavette?

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the feather considerably more expensive than the Shavette?

Yes, so is a new str8. I have two Shavettes, but I don't use them much since I got the Feather. I'll use the one with the short blad occasionally for trimming or a precise touchup. Why? I find there is no comparison between how the Shavette and Feather feel when you shave. The Shavette is just too light, and then I need to add pressure.

Yeah, well I've yet to sink any money into a brand new straight, though. I saw a nice Henckel at the store yesterday, which was like, a hundred and seventy odd dollars. But they have a lifetime guarantee, so it's tempting.

Anyhow, I'm wondering whether the weight of the Shavette is really going to bother me that much. I think I'd take comfort in the fact that the super sharp blade would guarantee a really awesome closeness.

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

Yeah, well I've yet to sink any money into a brand new straight, though. I saw a nice Henckel at the store yesterday, which was like, a hundred and seventy odd dollars. But they have a lifetime guarantee, so it's tempting.

Anyhow, I'm wondering whether the weight of the Shavette is really going to bother me that much. I think I'd take comfort in the fact that the super sharp blade would guarantee a really awesome closeness.

From my point of view it impacts on how you use the razor. I use the Feather like a DE. I rest its weight on my face, adn that's all the pressure I need. The result is a light feel and smooth shave with no irritation. With the Shavette you will need to press it for it to cut. You'll have to develope a soft and sensitive touch to make the best use of it. it's no big deal. That's more like a str8 anyway (not as much pressure). But I like it the other way. It comes from my DE experience, and that's why I took to the Feather immediately. I had no learning curve.

As far as I know Henckels razors are no longer available in this country, so it's probably something that's been around the store for a while. Make sure you can still get that warranty (where would you send the razor Germany?). But for that money I think you can do better. Thiers Issard (TI) probaly makes the best razors today. Go to classicshaving.com or knifecenter.com and look at them. Most of them sell for less than that. The silver steel and Eagle brand TIs are great. Although they're not the same caliber, for a lot less you can get yourself a beautiful Dovo, also still in production.

Well, I'm in Canada, so maybe the Henckels are still available here?

I have no experience with DE shavers at all, so I don't know if that would make a difference with the Shavette.

As for the straight razors, I like the look of the three-pinned white 6/8 Dovo as a shaver. Or 5/8.