Thread: Does a shavette = full hollow? Apples = oranges?

So I know this is somewhat of a classic apples to oranges kind of thing, but I'm curious to know from those who've used both if a rough comparison can even be drawn between a shavette and a straight in terms of grind. That is, does a shavette correlate most closely to a full hollow, half hollow or wedge, etc? Can such an analogy be made, or is this ridiculous?

It is a bit of the Apples and Oranges, but I'd say it is definitely more of a wedge than one would think.
The short protruition makes the Shavettes pretty darn stiff

Actually the closes SR to a shavette is probably a frame back razor. The idea is fairly similar between the two.

Even though I say the frame back is similar it still is a fairly large difference between the two.

So, I guess there's really no way to say that a shavette shaves most like a full hollow SR? Just not that simple?

Nope

Why exactly are you asking are you trying to move from a shavette to a traditional SR?

personally I think the two are very different.

the closest would be half hollow (the shavette is very light unlike heavy grind razors but does not have the flex and singing of full hollow)

Originally Posted by Castel33

Nope

Why exactly are you asking are you trying to move from a shavette to a traditional SR?

Basically. I'm planning to eventually get one of Lynn's set-ups from SRD or a kit from Whipped Dog. I've been DE shaving for a while and sort of stumbled onto a shavette after borrowing my in-laws. I can't believe I'd never considered it before, because I've been very impressed how much better the shaves from the shavette are in every way. I think it's only natural to, right or wrong, view the shavette as a bridge to the real thing.

That being said, it's a big jump in both set-up (and thus money) and in experience (I've never even held a strop), and that makes me a little nervous. In the "Help" section a full hollow is recommended for a beginner like me, but I wanted to see if there was any comparison to a shavette since I enjoy the shaves from it so much.

Basically, I'm just working on my technique for now while I ask questions and take my time figuring out what is likely to be best for me to start with.

Given alot of problems I have seen lately in the regards of razors coming shave ready from Whipped Dog, I would recommend dropping the extra money for a new shave ready razor. That is unless you have someone locally that can hone for you if need be. Once you are able to hone a razor, WD becomes less hit and miss.

That being said, I've recently gotten into SR shaving and have used a Shavette, a full hollow, and a quarter hollow. The full hollow has been much more unforgiving of bad technique as oppose to the quarter hollow. Honestly I prefer the quarter hollow right now, but am learning the full hollow and Im sure I will soon love the full as well.

That's the ironic thing about a shavette. Yes it's sure cheaper unless you buy a fancy feather however it can be more difficult to use because it is basically just a razor blade and the scales are so light. I would never call it a bridge to a straight. It's just a cousin twice removed of a straight. I'd more call a DE a bridge to a straight.

A shavette is its own animal. It's really too sharp to shave well in my humble but accurate opinion. You can take a couple of layers of skin off and not even feel it! Just get you a good vintage straight and learn to use and maintain it. You will be much happier. - Scott