Thread: Shavette adventures on the sharp side

A recently acquired stainless steel shavette which fails every iteration of a HHT but nonetheless is sharper than my straights(which pass the HHT) has offered some interesting insights to me. Months ago I used a shavette but realized my novice technique left much to be desired. Now my technique has improved I wanted to try the Feather blades. Tonight I used the generic platinums which shipped with the handle.

On my face the blade is very harsh(first shave on a new blade).
Some areas (around the lips and chin) shaved more easily.
I managed a wide array of weepers as the sharper blade sliced cleanly through bumps.
It was impossible to get a perfect flat angle as there is offset between the blade and holder.
It is still necessary for me to do one ATG pass to avoid irritation and besides even this very sharp blade can't get the whiskers off WTG/XTG.

I will be experimenting with the Feather blades when they arrive.

I will likely then rest the shavette(and not Pif it like the last one) until my technique has matured further.(maybe six more months or so)


Beginners should find a real straight easier and more forgiving and just as effective. Beginning honers will find no matter what they are unlikely to match the keen edge of a DE blade.

I started out with a Dovo shavette. I used it for a couple months till I got my first "real" straight razor.
It was amazing how few nicks and weepers I got with the straight after my experience with the shavette.
After 6 or so months when you try it again the shavette will be harsher than a regular straight but you shouldn't get much in the way of weepers and that ilk.
Now I find myself using the shavette semi regularly. I have a few underage helpers and I don't like stropping when they're about so the shavette comes out if I need to shave before work or am traveling.
It's a harsh mistress for sure but once you get better technique and come back to it you will find it helps to refine those techniques. Especially with a fresh Feather blade (I usually use the Gillette 7 o'clock blades, they're a bit smoother to start).

I had the same experiences with shavettes, but nonethless I think it is a good way for a beginner to see if he really wants to straight shave before buying a strop, and honing equipment.

The way it feels on my face, it appears the real straight gives a little bit whereas a shavette is rigid.

I also started with a Dovo Shavette because I had read on here how much investment would be required to maintain a proper straight razor. I moved on to straights but have recently acquired a Feather SS and am finding I get the best shaves of all with that and a Feather blade.