Be careful when using a shavette

[maxman]

Needless to say, they require a great deal of care when using.
1st pass, OK. Hey this isn't so bad.
2nd pass, big cut up by my hairline, nasty weeper by the corner of my mouth, weeper under my chin.

OK, tomorrow we try again.
FWIW, I was using an Astra blade.

 

[michiganlover]

Were you using an actual Dovo Shavette, or some other rendition?

I have the Parker Shavette that uses half of a DE blade, and I enjoy using it; it is however fairly difficult to learn to use. If you have zero experience with straights, you are in for a long learning curve of a lot of cuts.

 

[maxman]

It is the Dovo Shavette. I like it very much, but it is going to be a long journey.
I have the time so what the hey!

 

[GDCarrington]

Needless to say, they require a great deal of care when using.
1st pass, OK. Hey this isn't so bad.
2nd pass, big cut up by my hairline, nasty weeper by the corner of my mouth, weeper under my chin.

OK, tomorrow we try again.
FWIW, I was using an Astra blade.

Truly not for the faint at heart.
Good fortune!

 

[Blue_2]

2nd pass, big cut up by my hairline

Where exactly did you cut yourself? It almost sounds like the top of your forehead, but I'm sure I must be mistaken.

 

[blood_type_O]

I've tried neither, but I think a straight would be much more forgiving.
A shavette seems about the same as holding a DE blade in my hand.

I wish you well.

 

[RayH]

I've been using the dovo shavette for a short while now, about 2 weeks. This past week with a change in schedule I used my Merkur 42C 1904. Yeah you do have to be careful. 2 problems I've encountered is 1) switching hands when shaving the left side of my face and 2) my neck. I've gotten very small weepers on my neck, one of which didn't want to stop. Didn't even feel the nick. Being right handed, I'm having difficulty shaving the left side of my face. I'm forcing myself to do it and have gotten an almost bbs shave. But it doesn't feel the same as when I use a DE. I just need to practice more and probably shave more slowly. Not that I'm going fast when I do. I constantly have to remind myself not to try to shave the same way with the dovo as I do with my merkur.

 

[csmorris]

I've been using (trying to use) a Dannyco 112 Magic razor off and on for a few years now. VERY steep learning curve for me. Been using a DE off and on for better than 25 years with no issues. My hope is to one day use a straight but I figured this would be a good place to learn.

So far every use turns out poorly, generally with SEVERAL weepers and a poor shave that I need to finish with a different razor.

I come back to it about every three to six months.

Someday...

 

[The Last Chimney]

Is it even a good idea to practice straights with one of these? I've never used a straight, but this shavette thing sounds like it might be more difficult since they won't be as sharp as a good straight razor. Less chance of shaving your ear off, but none of the benefits of real straights or even DE's (but many of the drawbacks).

The shavette just sounds like a bad idea. If I ever decide to try a straight, I'm just going to try a straight.

 

[LeverTime]

Is it even a good idea to practice straights with one of these? I've never used a straight, but this shavette thing sounds like it might be more difficult since they won't be as sharp as a good straight razor. Less chance of shaving your ear off, but none of the benefits of real straights or even DE's (but many of the drawbacks).

The shavette just sounds like a bad idea. If I ever decide to try a straight, I'm just going to try a straight.

I've never used a Shavette, but I do use a Kai Captain (disposable "straight" razor) sometimes as well as a "real" straight razor sometimes. The disposable is not the same, and I wouldn't recommend using it to practice for a real straight, but I don't think it is a bad tool. I get very good shaves from both the real and disposable straight.

 

[rainman]

I've tried one. It ended up not being worth the effort to learn when I get such good shaves with DE's. I didn't do bad on my first go. No bloodbath but some areas not so close. Skin pulling is needed and getting the right angle is difficult especially when you must do both at once! The blade has some give which adds to a greater difficulty and uneasiness. I'd suggest regular straight if your ready to maintain one or pay for the service. A lot of price and commitment since you may not be sure if it's going to work out or not. YMMV.

 

[DE Shaver]

The advantages that a shavette has over a straight razor is that you don't have to worry about blade maintenance and you can be assured a sharp edge by merely changing blades. However, straight razor shaving is in my opinion better overall in terms of shave quality. I definitely prefer a straight razor over shavette.

 

[michiganlover]

Is it even a good idea to practice straights with one of these? I've never used a straight, but this shavette thing sounds like it might be more difficult since they won't be as sharp as a good straight razor. Less chance of shaving your ear off, but none of the benefits of real straights or even DE's (but many of the drawbacks).

The shavette just sounds like a bad idea. If I ever decide to try a straight, I'm just going to try a straight.

Using a Shavette that uses a 1/2 DE blades is nothing like using a real straight. The thin, flexible, super sharp (a DE blade is actually sharper than that of a real straight), short blade is far less forgiving than an actual straight would ever be. Thus if your technique is even slightly off, you are rewarded with many many cuts.

Also, the angle in which you use the Shavette is quite different than that of an actual straight razor, so the technique of using a Shavette doesn't fully transfer to using a real straight.

If you want to use a straight, use a straight; don't be misguided into thinking that the Shavette razor is anything like using a real straight.

Having said all of the above, I like, and frequently use a Parker Shavette; however, I would never recommend the Parker Shavette to someone who has zero experience using straights. In the hands of someone with no straight experience, such a razor is a total bloodfest!!

The Feather Artist Club, however, is in an entirely different league: having a much longer, thicker, non-flexible blade, along with a decent amount of weight behind it, so that it better mimics the shave of a real straight.

 

[luvmysuper]

It is the Dovo Shavette. I like it very much, but it is going to be a long journey.
I have the time so what the hey!

Congrats on a great attitude.
It will serve you well, and I applaud your gumption.

 

[Tyronious]

I only use a shavette to shape my goatee.

Never even considered a full shave with one.

 

[The Last Chimney]

The advantages that a shavette has over a straight razor is that you don't have to worry about blade maintenance and you can be assured a sharp edge by merely changing blades. However, straight razor shaving is in my opinion better overall in terms of shave quality. I definitely prefer a straight razor over shavette.

Those are excellent advantages and I enjoy them very much when using my DE razors.

 

[closer]

The Dovo shavette is capable of providing excellent shaves. I've been using it for the past three months, and am at the point where I get excellent, irritation free shaves - BBS- in 3 passes. Since its so light, the one key to using a shavette is an "extra" light touch. It also requires a deliberate touch, not hasty, but that can be said about all fine cutting implements.