Member
Chicago Suburbs
What is your objective and what is your budget?
Shavettes fall into basically two groups. One group are those that use a half DE blade. You can either purchase blades already pre split or you can bend a DE blade in the wrapper until it snaps into two half blades. Because there are so many DE blades to chose from, you should be able to find a blade that fits your needs and preferences. These razors are often used by professional barbers who are no longer permitted to use a real straight razor and need to use a fresh blade for every customer. For those on a budget, these shavettes tend to be less expensive ranging from $10 - 60. As you might imaging, those priced at $10 tend to be cheaply made and have poor scales and tend to be very light in weight. If you go this route, some mid-priced razor that looks decent are made by Parker. However, you can also find better models made by Dovo, Boker and others that will be on the higher end of the price range.
The other group of razors use Feather Artist Club blades or similar blades produced by Schick, Personna and Kai Captain. These blade are longer than DE blades, so the experience will be more similar to a real straight razor. The AC style blades are much thicker than DE blades so they are much more expensive, but tend to last far longer. There are three Feather Artist Club models. One is the Artist Club SS razor which is priced at around $90 for the straight handled version and about $135 for the folding version. If you get one with nice wooden scales, expect to pay more. On the high end is the Artist Club DX razor. Expect to pay between $135 and up depending upon the design and scales selected. The DX model is supposed to provide a shaving experience similar to a real straight razor while the SS model is closer to a safety razor experience.
There is also an Artist Club SR model which is less easily found. It costs about $160 and is supposed to provide a shaving experience in between the SS and DX models.
If you are proficient in shaving with a straight razor, but are looking for a replaceable blade model to avoid having to hone your razor, then you might want to consider the Artist Club DX. If you have some experience with a straight razor, the SS or SR models might be suitable. If you have never shaved with a straight razor, I would suggest getting one of the less expensive half DE blade razors such as this one by Parker that is well rated on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Profession...01D8SFFVO/
Shavettes fall into basically two groups. One group are those that use a half DE blade. You can either purchase blades already pre split or you can bend a DE blade in the wrapper until it snaps into two half blades. Because there are so many DE blades to chose from, you should be able to find a blade that fits your needs and preferences. These razors are often used by professional barbers who are no longer permitted to use a real straight razor and need to use a fresh blade for every customer. For those on a budget, these shavettes tend to be less expensive ranging from $10 - 60. As you might imaging, those priced at $10 tend to be cheaply made and have poor scales and tend to be very light in weight. If you go this route, some mid-priced razor that looks decent are made by Parker. However, you can also find better models made by Dovo, Boker and others that will be on the higher end of the price range.
The other group of razors use Feather Artist Club blades or similar blades produced by Schick, Personna and Kai Captain. These blade are longer than DE blades, so the experience will be more similar to a real straight razor. The AC style blades are much thicker than DE blades so they are much more expensive, but tend to last far longer. There are three Feather Artist Club models. One is the Artist Club SS razor which is priced at around $90 for the straight handled version and about $135 for the folding version. If you get one with nice wooden scales, expect to pay more. On the high end is the Artist Club DX razor. Expect to pay between $135 and up depending upon the design and scales selected. The DX model is supposed to provide a shaving experience similar to a real straight razor while the SS model is closer to a safety razor experience.
There is also an Artist Club SR model which is less easily found. It costs about $160 and is supposed to provide a shaving experience in between the SS and DX models.
If you are proficient in shaving with a straight razor, but are looking for a replaceable blade model to avoid having to hone your razor, then you might want to consider the Artist Club DX. If you have some experience with a straight razor, the SS or SR models might be suitable. If you have never shaved with a straight razor, I would suggest getting one of the less expensive half DE blade razors such as this one by Parker that is well rated on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Profession...01D8SFFVO/
Member
I abide by the advice "Buy once, cry once". So long as your budget allows, and as long as you're willing to commit to learning an open blade, go with a Feather. I also have a Parker SRX, which is a fantastic razor - and it's only about $25. BUT....a word of caution about the straights using a 1/2 DE blade...those little points at each side of the blade will nail you in a hurry if your angle gets off just a little bit. Some guys will run those little points on some glass to dull them, and that is an option. With the Artist Club styles, there aren't any sharp points at each end - they're rounded off.
Another plus to the Artist Club razors is the flexibility of the blades, as far as "aggression" goes. You can use guarded blades, and minimize the chance of cuts and nicks. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Feather Pro Supers. These have more blade reveal, and will get you closer to the experience of using a traditional straight. And there are blades in between. I've found that the Kai Protouch MG guarded blades last a long, long time. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 shaves for me. The Feather Pro Supers...about 5-8. There are plenty of blades in between, as well.
As far as the 1/2 DE razors go, you can use whatever DE blades you have on hand. Just (carefully) snap them in half (preferably while still in the wrapper). As you already know, they're dirt cheap. I've also found that, especially in a 1/2 DE straight, blade choice matters very little. I'd be hard pressed to notice any difference with a fresh blade. Some brands simply last longer.
If you're new to using an open blade, the best recommendation I've ever seen, is to commit to 100 consecutive shaves. It really does make all the difference. The first few are nerve wracking and scary. Then it just seems awkward for a little bit. In about a month, you'll start to get the hang of things a little bit. Towards the end of 100 shaves, you'll be getting proficient.
Oh, and don't strive of BBS for awhile. Just get the feel of using the razor. Some guys stick to just doing their cheeks for awhile, since you can get a flatter area. There's nothing wrong with that approach either. There's no shame in having a "bail out" razor on standby to shave areas you don't feel comfortable shaving with a straight.
Skin stretching is key. Always, always keep whatever area you're shaving as flat as possible.
If you ain't feelin' it, don't do it. If you are in a hurry, or your focus seems off, sit down the straight and use something else. Pride heals quickly. Scars take longer.
Don't ever get cocky. Cocky causes cuts. I always have total respect for the tool, and I'm well aware that one dumb move will cause blood to flow.
I know that I make it sound scary and dangerous. It's really not. It's not rocket science. It's just cutting stubble off your face. Just take your time and enjoy the process.
Another plus to the Artist Club razors is the flexibility of the blades, as far as "aggression" goes. You can use guarded blades, and minimize the chance of cuts and nicks. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Feather Pro Supers. These have more blade reveal, and will get you closer to the experience of using a traditional straight. And there are blades in between. I've found that the Kai Protouch MG guarded blades last a long, long time. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 shaves for me. The Feather Pro Supers...about 5-8. There are plenty of blades in between, as well.
As far as the 1/2 DE razors go, you can use whatever DE blades you have on hand. Just (carefully) snap them in half (preferably while still in the wrapper). As you already know, they're dirt cheap. I've also found that, especially in a 1/2 DE straight, blade choice matters very little. I'd be hard pressed to notice any difference with a fresh blade. Some brands simply last longer.
If you're new to using an open blade, the best recommendation I've ever seen, is to commit to 100 consecutive shaves. It really does make all the difference. The first few are nerve wracking and scary. Then it just seems awkward for a little bit. In about a month, you'll start to get the hang of things a little bit. Towards the end of 100 shaves, you'll be getting proficient.
Oh, and don't strive of BBS for awhile. Just get the feel of using the razor. Some guys stick to just doing their cheeks for awhile, since you can get a flatter area. There's nothing wrong with that approach either. There's no shame in having a "bail out" razor on standby to shave areas you don't feel comfortable shaving with a straight.
Skin stretching is key. Always, always keep whatever area you're shaving as flat as possible.
If you ain't feelin' it, don't do it. If you are in a hurry, or your focus seems off, sit down the straight and use something else. Pride heals quickly. Scars take longer.
Don't ever get cocky. Cocky causes cuts. I always have total respect for the tool, and I'm well aware that one dumb move will cause blood to flow.
I know that I make it sound scary and dangerous. It's really not. It's not rocket science. It's just cutting stubble off your face. Just take your time and enjoy the process.
Member
(01-24-2024, 04:50 PM)Alex7 Wrote: How do you take care of a shavette?
With any removable blade type razor except an Injector I rinse the razor, Remove the blade, rinse blade, dab at it with a tissue to remove any water, then put in my blade holder for safe keeping until its needed again. Shavette is the same. But you could just rinse and leave the blade in as with any DE. SE, Injector, ETC... Until it needs replaced.
I find the Feather to be more friendly to the face than most other Shavettes. Most of them can be hard to get along with. Unforgiving as they say. But not the Feather. As was stated, you can pick up some guarded blades for it and that will help you to get used to shaving with it. But keep in mind that if and when you decide to jump over to a real straight you have not learned much. The transition to a straight will be like starting all over again. So if you think you might want to shave with a straight eventually then just jump right in. Pick up a Shavette after that and you wont have any issues with a Shavette at that point.
JMO.
From the shade of the big mountain, Pike's Peak.
Jerry...
Jerry...
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