Thread: Shavette razor for a beginner

So been shaving with a DE razor for a few weeks and starting to get the hang of it, after the initial razor burn from the wrong angle. My only worry is that I should spend more time with the DE razor before trying a shavette razor, or should this not worry me? If so what shavette razor should I use as to start with?

The only reason I am considering a change is I had a barber shave today and they were using a shavette razor, and the shave was very smooth (although I had to go over two small bits with my DE) I'll be going back as I forgot to ask what oil base product they used at the start and finish, as after the shave I coudl feel a little razor burn which then vanished with this oil product.

Don't worry about using the DE. Just switch when you feel comfortable, IMO. This should be enjoyable. BTW, a Shavette is a little different than a straight. Not telling you that you shouldn't get it, just pointing that out.

Originally Posted by Cove5440

Don't worry about using the DE. Just switch when you feel comfortable, IMO. This should be enjoyable. BTW, a Shavette is a little different than a straight. Not telling you that you shouldn't get it, just pointing that out.

Yeah Shavette is still using disposable blade where as the true straight razor requires sharpening etc ?

Any particular make to go for?

Originally Posted by AledJ

Yeah Shavette is still using disposable blade where as the true straight razor requires sharpening etc ?

Any particular make to go for?

Yes the straight requires honing so the disposable is easier in that respect however the disposable is no straight.

As to makes that's like asking what brand of car should I get? You have vintage and new, factory made and custom class. Read through the site and you will learn fast what to choose from. In vintage there are literally hundreds of brands out there.

I'm going to start off saying I haven't used a Shavette or any disposable. That's why I didn't go further with my comment before. Benifits of the Shavette is its inexpensive to start and the blade is replaceable so you don't have to hone it. But from what I've read, they give rather harsh shaves compared to the straight. Also, once it professionally honed, and you are proficient with stropping, then an edge will last a long time. It's more comfortable. You don't have to keep putting out more money for the blades. There are more pros and cons, but I'll leave that to someone who has used them.

Hey Aledj

There are a fair amount of differences between traditional straights and shavetes. That being said a shavete is a good shaving tool and a good way to see if straight shaving is for you. There are few different types of shavetes you can try. On the cheap you can get a Parker SRW on amazon with blades for under $20. For a shave that's closer to a traditional straight you can look on eBay for a weck sextoblade. After you get one you can pickup hair shaper blades from a beauty supply store for it. If you think you will not ever want to learn to strop and hone and you have a decent amount of money to spend I would look into Kai or Feather razors. All of these will give you a nice shave and the skills you learn will transfer to traditional straights.

Originally Posted by AledJ

So been shaving with a DE razor for a few weeks and starting to get the hang of it, after the initial razor burn from the wrong angle. My only worry is that I should spend more time with the DE razor before trying a shavette razor, or should this not worry me? If so what shavette razor should I use as to start with?

The only reason I am considering a change is I had a barber shave today and they were using a shavette razor, and the shave was very smooth (although I had to go over two small bits with my DE) I'll be going back as I forgot to ask what oil base product they used at the start and finish, as after the shave I coudl feel a little razor burn which then vanished with this oil product.

Parker is the best shavette I have used.

I started out with the Parker Stainless because it was so cheap in price. Decent quality and good shaves. I will say I enjoyed it so much that I jumped on the SRD website and ordered a traditional straight, strop, and everything I could click lol.

So in that regard, I consider the shavette a gateway blade.

Best of luck!

I'll start out with one just shaving my sideburns and cheeks until I get the hang of it, but will still use a DE for rest of the shave.

There are a few Parker models: 31R,, 32R, 33R I take there more or less the same. Will see what google chucks up.

Cheers guys!

So after reading some reviews and looking on ebay etc I went ahead and bough this, and it arrived today in the post I have only used it to shave my cheeks and sideburns so I can get used to the angle, and this also allows me to get used to holding it correctly. But I can say this...................... baby smooth skin! Even had a smooth and clean shave on one cheek, which can be a pain sometimes! Much closer shave than my DE razor which I was expecting tbh, and I did nick myself twice but nothing bad at all. I did want to try a full face shave but thought I had better not, and instead use it on my cheeks and sideburns until i'm confident of going further.

I'm also looking out for some vintage straight razors which I will keep until I have mastered the shavette, and then maybe step it up a gear to the straight razor.