Dovo Shavette
- Thread starter Nolewag
- Start date
I can't disagree with the manager more. A shavette will not give you the same experience as a true straight. They're much harsher and less forgiving than a real straight. My suggestion would be to contact Larry at Whipped Dog. He'll hook you up right and for not that much money.
There are many options for the new straight shaver, and which option is up for debate.
For shavettes:
Parker
Vintage Weck Sextoblades
Feather AC
I never tried a Dovo.
Is there a reason you are going the shavette route vs a traditional straight?
For shavettes:
Parker
Vintage Weck Sextoblades
Feather AC
I never tried a Dovo.
Is there a reason you are going the shavette route vs a traditional straight?
Some people say no to a shavette for a beginner, some say yes.
Having said that, I first started shaving this past November; my first shave was using a Parker shavette. The Parker is cheap,
and uses half of a double edge, or some specific single edge blades. They are sharp, and can hurt you. My first shave gave some burn, but no cuts, all in all I was happy. I stll use the shavette style razor occasionally, but have moved on to the traditional straights. As Jon mentions they are a smother shave, and usually more forgiving.
There is also a vintage shavette called Weck, I have 2 of them, and they use a different type of blade from the Parker. The blades for the Weck can also be used in the Dovo.
Anyway, if you are unsure whether you will like straight shaving, then a cheap replacement blade razor might be the best.
But if you are like most folks you will find that you love it, once you master the art. In this case you might want to get a Whipped Dog “sight unseen kit” (highly recommended) and begin from there...
Welcome aboard, and good luck,
Bil
Having said that, I first started shaving this past November; my first shave was using a Parker shavette. The Parker is cheap,
and uses half of a double edge, or some specific single edge blades. They are sharp, and can hurt you. My first shave gave some burn, but no cuts, all in all I was happy. I stll use the shavette style razor occasionally, but have moved on to the traditional straights. As Jon mentions they are a smother shave, and usually more forgiving.
There is also a vintage shavette called Weck, I have 2 of them, and they use a different type of blade from the Parker. The blades for the Weck can also be used in the Dovo.
Anyway, if you are unsure whether you will like straight shaving, then a cheap replacement blade razor might be the best.
But if you are like most folks you will find that you love it, once you master the art. In this case you might want to get a Whipped Dog “sight unseen kit” (highly recommended) and begin from there...
Welcome aboard, and good luck,
Bil
First, I would suggest reading this article on the shavette: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Shavette
I tried both shavette and traditional straight razor and preferred the traditional razor. Keep in mind it can be different for you (YMMV). If I was to start over I would skip the shavette. The feeling is seriously not the same. You will however save on honing and stropping with a shavette (in the activity, not money-wise).
I tried both shavette and traditional straight razor and preferred the traditional razor. Keep in mind it can be different for you (YMMV). If I was to start over I would skip the shavette. The feeling is seriously not the same. You will however save on honing and stropping with a shavette (in the activity, not money-wise).
IMHO just jump into the deep end of the pool. Get the real thing.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both shavettes and regular straights.
Broadly speaking, shavettes are cheaper with essentially no maintenance. Straights give a "smoother" shave and are more comfortable to use.
I personally enjoy using regular straights, although I do have a Parker shavette I use from time to time. While there are many good things I can say about regular straights, my saving money is not one of them.
Broadly speaking, shavettes are cheaper with essentially no maintenance. Straights give a "smoother" shave and are more comfortable to use.
I personally enjoy using regular straights, although I do have a Parker shavette I use from time to time. While there are many good things I can say about regular straights, my saving money is not one of them.
I'll speak on the side of the shavette. I for one learned straight shaving on the disposables, and they are all I use now for my straight shaving. I did give regular straights a good, decent trial. I just couldn't get comfortable with all the maintaining involved with them, and went back to the disposables. I'll admit that I use the top of the line Kai's and Feathers, but I also have and use the Parker straights. For the money, and a taste of straight shaving, you can't beat them. You can get a nice Parker with a good supply of Shark half blades for something in the $20.00 region. Once you get the technique down with them, and it is a long learning curve, the shaves are great. And the care and maintain aspect is nothing.
Oh, and as I always seem to have to remind new straight shavers, don't fall for that hype that the disposable is not a real straight, it is. And just like the regulars its still an open blade razor, just much sharper.
Oh, and as I always seem to have to remind new straight shavers, don't fall for that hype that the disposable is not a real straight, it is. And just like the regulars its still an open blade razor, just much sharper.
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I'm glad to read this post. I've been on the fence thinking about moving toward a straight for 2 years and if I can find a good disposable, that's where I'd like to start as well.
A neighbor gave me a cheap straight as a gift but I don't want to risk all that is involved maintaining a blade while working on my technique. A disposable that uses DE blades, of which I already have a ton, would be great.
My two cents:
If you're already DE shaving, and just want to get an idea what straight razor shaving is like, a shavette might not be a bad idea. You've already got blades, and you can just focus on how to use the thing without having to worry about maintenance while you see if it's for you. I went this route and wound up moving on to a traditional straight razor (which I am loving btw).
If you're cart shaving, I say just dive in and get the sight unseen deal from Larry at Whipped Dog. Worst case, straight razors aren't for you, and you can put it up in the b/s/t forum to recoup some of the cost.
If you go the shavette route, definitely keep in mind what's been said in this thread, and pretty much any other where shavettes are the topic--super sharp, unforgiving. I don't say this to discourage you from using it, but rather to encourage you to be patient while you learn to use your new tool. It will take a lot of not-so-great (and maybe painful) shaves to become proficient with it.
However you decide to go about it, welcome, and good luck to you sir.
Best,
Scott
If you're already DE shaving, and just want to get an idea what straight razor shaving is like, a shavette might not be a bad idea. You've already got blades, and you can just focus on how to use the thing without having to worry about maintenance while you see if it's for you. I went this route and wound up moving on to a traditional straight razor (which I am loving btw).
If you're cart shaving, I say just dive in and get the sight unseen deal from Larry at Whipped Dog. Worst case, straight razors aren't for you, and you can put it up in the b/s/t forum to recoup some of the cost.
If you go the shavette route, definitely keep in mind what's been said in this thread, and pretty much any other where shavettes are the topic--super sharp, unforgiving. I don't say this to discourage you from using it, but rather to encourage you to be patient while you learn to use your new tool. It will take a lot of not-so-great (and maybe painful) shaves to become proficient with it.
However you decide to go about it, welcome, and good luck to you sir.
Best,
Scott
- Thread starter
- #11
First I want to thank all of you for your input, It has been both informative and "bi-partisan"
I have decided to go ahead and purchase a shavette, soley because I already DE shave, and I am not ready to "dive into the deep end" just quite yet on a regular straight razor purchase. I think the main reasons why are due to the maintain and higher cost out the gate. Rest assured I will probably end up coming back asking for suggestions on regular straights once I feel comfortable with straight shavette.
Thank you again for all the support and information! I'll let you know how it goes
Chris
I have decided to go ahead and purchase a shavette, soley because I already DE shave, and I am not ready to "dive into the deep end" just quite yet on a regular straight razor purchase. I think the main reasons why are due to the maintain and higher cost out the gate. Rest assured I will probably end up coming back asking for suggestions on regular straights once I feel comfortable with straight shavette.
Thank you again for all the support and information! I'll let you know how it goes
Chris
I'm one of the people who dislikes the idea of a shavette as your first razor. I did use them for touch up when I was using a DE and I've shaved with them quite a few times. They are not a straight razor experience to me. At the risk of invoking the shavette police, I would say they have marginal use. The other options are nicer. TheVez2 recently convinced several of us to try a SextoBlade razor. They are much more comfortable and seem to emulate a straight much more satisfactorily.
In any case, they all will shave and even a shavette is going to give you good practice. Good luck with whatever you choose.
In any case, they all will shave and even a shavette is going to give you good practice. Good luck with whatever you choose.
I shave strictly with Shavettes with excellent results, and have for fourteen years. Be careful as they are unforgiving, but once you get their use down they are incredible tools.
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