Thread: Shavette Seemed to Pull - Will a Real Straight be Smoother?

I'm in Las Vegas for a seminar and I noticed that there's a Art of Shaving store that offers straight razor shaves. I said what the hell and went for the Royal Shave since I'd like to move from DE to Str8 shaving but haven't done so yet.

The barber used a shavette and the blade seemed to pull way more on the hair than my DE does. Will a fixed-blade str8 pull like this as well, or is the experience smoother if the blade is properly honed and stropped?

Thanks!

nope!...straight razors can be smoothed out and can be just as sharp..sometimes sharper depending on what's used...AOS makes good creams and oils..hardware is waaay overpriced..but getting a straight shave is kinda 50/50 IMO..worth a shot...

Hello BKendall,
The straight is a different experience, but should not be "pulling",, it could be the edge (not honed properly or just needs refreshing), it could be the barber's lack of skill, the preshave prep.
It's hard to say. Just take the plunge if your really interested; get a shave ready straight from a professional.

Originally Posted by bkendall

I'm in Las Vegas for a seminar and I noticed that there's a Art of Shaving store that offers straight razor shaves. I said what the hell and went for the Royal Shave since I'd like to move from DE to Str8 shaving but haven't done so yet.

The barber used a shavette and the blade seemed to pull way more on the hair than my DE does. Will a fixed-blade str8 pull like this as well, or is the experience smoother if the blade is properly honed and stropped?

Thanks!

I can't imagine a shavette which wasn't sharp enough. I would suspect the barber's technique. A real straight will shave differently(easier and smoother IME).

Did you witness him installing a new blade?

Today I learned what a Shavette was, interesting.
I guess that is what the kid uses on the back of my neck when I get a haircut.
Thanks jaswarb .

jaswarb, that's a good one. Your suggestion did not came into my mind. But like you say, maybe a new blade was not used.

I didn't see him insert a new blade because I had a steaming towel wrapped around my face, but I'm pretty certain I heard the sound of a new blade going in.

I asked him if they use shavettes or real straights and he said he uses a real one at home but state law requires a new blade be installed for every customer.

We talked about straights for a while during the shave. If I had to guess, I'd say he was about 60 years old, and he told me that he'd been using straights since he entered barber school at age 18. Maybe it was his technique, I don't know.

I saw that hardware prices were crazy. I bought a travel thing of the sandalwood aftershave balm because I really like its scent.

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by bkendall

I didn't see him insert a new blade because I had a steaming towel wrapped around my face, but I'm pretty certain I heard the sound of a new blade going in.

. If I had to guess, I'd say he was about 60 years old, and he told me that he'd been using straights since he entered barber school at age 18. Maybe it was his technique, I don't know.

No intention of indicting the barber, his technique could be poor or just not suited to your beard. The guy who graduates at the bottom of his Med School class is still a doctor.

More to the point though, infinite variables concerning straight shaving is the most attractive element. He could have used a lather which just doesn't like your face. I have had more than one shave ruined trying new soaps.

Could be the technique (skin tension would be one to think of)
The blade du jour (If I recall correctly they are partial to the Merkur DE Blades, for me those are like working with a Camp Saw)

That said - no matter what blade/shavette combo I use the experience is always the lowest ranking of Straight razor shaves form me.

For the money they charge for a shave they should spring for a Feather (they could bulk buy Pro blades for $0.60 ea or less) and give you a dream like experience....IMHO...

Probably the guy who shaved you was selling refrigerators at Sears last week and you were his shave training dummy.