Thread: Go straight razor route or shavette?

I guess it's all part of the experience/learning curve. Thanks again for the insight

I don't have any experience shaving myself with a shavette. I do with a straight, and that wapi in the classifieds has metal scales. It will make it more difficult to use because of the balance. I would find another in the classifieds that suits your taste to learn with.

i think go straight to a straight. Why.. you end there in a while, so why not straight to the ultimate goal

I have been at this a couple months now, I went from shavette to straight and what a difference! The straight is more forgiving. Not to say I have not knicked myself with a SR because I have just not as often or as bad. That said the shavette taught me quickly to slow down and pay attention. I have a cheap shavette I think it is made by Magic or that might be the brand name. But looking back I would go with the straight right away if I had to start over. I would recommend a 3" strop if you can swing it makes stropping process a bit easier IMHO. And I got myself a treat when I started and went right to a new blade and everything, like an early Christmas and looking back there did I need to? No but that is what I wanted. I would offer one last piece of insight, from me newb perspective I would say go round point. There have been a few times that if I had a spike point or the like I would have more leaks than I would have liked. Anyway best of luck and shave on

I just ordered a sight unseen flawed SR and poor man's strop from whipped dog. I have heard many good things about Larry and his razors and for the price its a nice option to get into the game if so to speak. All in was just over $50 and it will show up shave ready. Just a thought hope it helps you.

Another option also is a vintage weck sextoblade. You can use modern hair shaper blades in it. Then you can find nos weck blades that are carbon steel which can be sharpened and stropped. So it's a razor that will evolve with you.

I would be OK with using a Feather AC type razor, but NOT a Shavette type. They are two entirely different beasts.

Shavettes are mostly made from bent sheet metal and hold half of a DE blade which can be bought pre-snapped into halves or you can take a regular DE blade and break it in half yourself. These razors are for hairdressers/barbers for trimming and or shaving the nape of the neck. It is possible to shave with them of course, but nicks would be easy to come by.

The Feather razors are very solid, their blades are incredibly sharp and they stay that way for some time, and they are actually shaped for shaving.. My Professional Super blades have a slight smile to them and rounded corners.

I started with the Feather razor, but then ended up going the traditional straight razor route, honing and all. It wasn't easy for me, but I eventually got the hang of it. Illness knocked me out of the game for about 5 years and I hit some speed bumps when I came back, but I'm happy to report my muscle memory on the hones have come back to me and my shaves are comfortable again.

If you decide to go the Feather route, it does require a very light touch vs traditional straights. Traditional straights also tug a bit more while shaving, nothing uncomfortable, just it's there.... the Feather just silently lops your beard off, and, I found after an extended period, my skin actually became very thin... absorbing aftershaves and the like much quicker than normal.

There are other brands such as the Kai of which I have no experience with, and some other mentioned that again, I have no experience with. I went all in with the honing and stropping and razor collecting... If you seriously just want to shave.... a Feather might be the way to go.


Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

I would be OK with using a Feather AC type razor, but NOT a Shavette type. They are two entirely different beasts.

Shavettes are mostly made from bent sheet metal and hold half of a DE blade which can be bought pre-snapped into halves or you can take a regular DE blade and break it in half yourself. These razors are for hairdressers/barbers for trimming and or shaving the nape of the neck. It is possible to shave with them of course, but nicks would be easy to come by.

The Feather razors are very solid, their blades are incredibly sharp and they stay that way for some time, and they are actually shaped for shaving.. My Professional Super blades have a slight smile to them and rounded corners.

I started with the Feather razor, but then ended up going the traditional straight razor route, honing and all. It wasn't easy for me, but I eventually got the hang of it. Illness knocked me out of the game for about 5 years and I hit some speed bumps when I came back, but I'm happy to report my muscle memory on the hones have come back to me and my shaves are comfortable again.

If you decide to go the Feather route, it does require a very light touch vs traditional straights. Traditional straights also tug a bit more while shaving, nothing uncomfortable, just it's there.... the Feather just silently lops your beard off, and, I found after an extended period, my skin actually became very thin... absorbing aftershaves and the like much quicker than normal.

There are other brands such as the Kai of which I have no experience with, and some other mentioned that again, I have no experience with. I went all in with the honing and stropping and razor collecting... If you seriously just want to shave.... a Feather might be the way to go.


Regards

Christian

Interesting, I always thought that the straight would be a "smoother" shave then any shavette, including the Feather. It's a reason I was leaning towards the straight rather than the Feather

A straight would provide a smoother shave but may have more resistance during use. Keen and smooth can be very different

I switched from DE to straights. Shavettes made me nervous. I bought one anyway, thinking I'd give it a try some day, but I haven't yet. Still makes me nervous, haha.