I've been thinking about trying out a straight for a while now. Tomorrow I get my first professional straight shave. I'm debating whether or not to pick up a shavette at the same time. My thinking is it would be a minimal investment and it would allow me to focus on my technique while learning and not worry so much about maintaining the blade. So what does everyone think? Would a shavette be a good way to get into straights? They have one that has a plastic insert so you can practice.
Ready to take the plunge.sort of
- Thread starter DevinLT1966
- Start date
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
I personally recommend against it. Of course others will argue for it as well. I think it will be easier to learn with a straight than a shavette. See www.whippeddog.com.
Agreed. Shavettes are great for travel, but ONLY after you've learned proper technique. They are violently unforgiving.
Look on BST now...nice razors there..also go back a few pages and keep browsing..larry @ Whippedog.com is a great start as well
You will be fine with a shavette. It's cheaper, requires no maintenance, you don't have to buy a strop, and if it gets dull or you ding it on the faucet you just change the blade.
If you are able to get the hang of it you can always jump in the deep end and get the whole set up. The DE blades are sharper, but so are traditional straights. Just take your time.
If you are able to get the hang of it you can always jump in the deep end and get the whole set up. The DE blades are sharper, but so are traditional straights. Just take your time.
What I gather from your post that you want to get a shavette for two reasons; low startup cost and the opportunity to develop straight razor technique without having to worry about maintaining a real straight. To be honest, I don't think either of these motives are valid reasons for choosing a shavette over a straight. The first reason is invalid because you can get everything you need to begin straight shaving (shave ready razor, strop, and pasted balsa to keep it sharp) for about $50 from whippeddog. And the second reason is invalid, not only because the general consensus is that shavettes are noticeably more difficult to master than straights, but also because straights and shavettes demand the use of different shaving techniques. Just because you can shave with a shavette does not mean that skill will transfer to using a straight and vice-versa.
An issue, I think, is that many people who are interested in straight razor shaving are under the false impression that a shavette is like a straight razor but without the associated maintenance and with a shallower learning curve. Because of this, many would-be straight razor enthusiasts see shavettes as an easier, safer way to get into straight shaving. For many, a result of this is being turned off of straight razors altogether when they inevitably get cuts and irritation from their shavette. Now, to clarify, I am not saying that shavettes are bad; the fact is that there are many people who enjoy using them and who find them to be an enjoyable and convenient shaving tool. What I do have a problem with, however, is the misguided belief that straight razor and shavette technique is interchangeable; it isn't. In the end, my advice is to begin with whichever one you want to end up with. If the low maintenance and convenience of a shavette is what ultimately appeals to you, then go ahead and get one. There are plenty of members on here who regularly use shavettes and are satisfied with the results. If, on the other hand, you want to end up with a straight razor then that is what you should go with. The maintenance really doesn't amount to much more than a couple minutes of stropping and a thorough drying after each shave. And with regular use of a pasted balsa you can go months without having to have a razor honed.
As for me, I'm going to stick with using a sharpened piece of 19th century steel to shave with.
An issue, I think, is that many people who are interested in straight razor shaving are under the false impression that a shavette is like a straight razor but without the associated maintenance and with a shallower learning curve. Because of this, many would-be straight razor enthusiasts see shavettes as an easier, safer way to get into straight shaving. For many, a result of this is being turned off of straight razors altogether when they inevitably get cuts and irritation from their shavette. Now, to clarify, I am not saying that shavettes are bad; the fact is that there are many people who enjoy using them and who find them to be an enjoyable and convenient shaving tool. What I do have a problem with, however, is the misguided belief that straight razor and shavette technique is interchangeable; it isn't. In the end, my advice is to begin with whichever one you want to end up with. If the low maintenance and convenience of a shavette is what ultimately appeals to you, then go ahead and get one. There are plenty of members on here who regularly use shavettes and are satisfied with the results. If, on the other hand, you want to end up with a straight razor then that is what you should go with. The maintenance really doesn't amount to much more than a couple minutes of stropping and a thorough drying after each shave. And with regular use of a pasted balsa you can go months without having to have a razor honed.
As for me, I'm going to stick with using a sharpened piece of 19th century steel to shave with.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thank you everyone for the advice. I think a whipped dog is in my future.
Similar threads
