The best "straight shave" of my life. from a shavette?

[JonM]

Okay... this has completely thrown me for a loop today. Out of curiosity and for the fun of it, I decided to order a Parker shavette for the purpose of using it as a project blade (hense the thread that bore the seed for the shavette competition - you're welcome ). Well, it arrived today and I decided to give it a test run before starting on my modifications (I wanted to at least know what a stock Parker shaved like). So, I snapped one of my red Personna blades in half, broke out my Arko, and started shaving using my typical straight razor techniques. Immediately, I was shocked by the lack of irritation and the closeness with which it was taking off my 2-day growth. The end result after only two passes was a damn good shave with no nicks, cuts, or irritation. Even more interesting to me was that this wasn't my first time using a shavette. I had previously used a shavette made by The Shaving Factory (which I have since PIF'ed away). While the SF shavette sliced & diced my face when I wasn't completely focused, the Parker was like a high-end sports car on a race track. It took every curve of my face and I wasn't afraid to shave with it using my typical straight razor speed. While I don't expect it to completely replace my straights, I'm pretty damned impressed with it. One question - When did I get to bizarro world?

 

[Firewalker]

Sweet! I am jazzed about this competition, imagine the care you are going to give the Parker now in rescaling?

 

[inspiringK]

 

[JonM]

Sweet! I am jazzed about this competition, imagine the care you are going to give the Parker now in rescaling?

Agreed! In fact, I'm sitting here now as I type this sketching out ideas for scales.

 

[global_dev]

While the SF shavette sliced & diced my face when I wasn't completely focused, the Parker was like a high-end sports car on a race track. It took every curve of my face and I wasn't afraid to shave with it using my straight razor typical speed.

i'd think many of us would like to know more opinions from others as to why such a vast difference was experienced.. is it like the difference between a feather pro and super in exposure? the balance or weight?

 

[JonM]

I think the main difference is that in the case of the Parker, the blade was held firmly in place due to the sandwiched and locked blade holder. My old Shaving Factory shavette didn't hold the blade as securely. Rather, it would rattle around in the holder. Also, in the case of the the SF shavette, the design was not guaranteed to keep the blade level in the holder. Instead, I would have to rely on the sink or counter top to level the blade in its holder. On top of all this, the Parker does have much more weight to it and it feels like it has better balance.

 

[Hannibal]

Hello everybody,


My interest has begun by shavettes and straight razor... INOX Shavette and had good results, but some cuts by changing technique...
Now I bought a Dovo Shavette and am amazed, some do not like her because she is plastic, but the ease of changing the blades and sheaths of power try something closer to a straight razor, it was pretty cool...

--
Best Regards;

 

[kirisute]

I started out on this road with a Parker SR1! And for me it's opened a whole world of wonder! One utterly lacking in shaving irritation and annoyance! One where shaving has become a pleasure in fact!
so much so that im now thinking of a full SE to continue my journey!
for anyone starting out I would honestly suggest a shavette!
If I had the skills I would enter the compo! Lol!

 

[blzrfn]

While I have not tried a Parker, I have noticed that blade choice makes a huge difference in my Sanguine. Coincidentally, the Personna Platinum Chrome blades gave me the smoothest results, while the Polsilver, SuperMax Platinum, Dorco and Derby blades all performed less well. I have never used a traditional straight and just don't have the time for the maintenance at this point in life, I already wake up at 5am just to fit a 15 minute luxury shave in, but at some point, perhaps when the kids are older, I would like to go all-out with the whole setup. Anyway, my main point was it seems like Personnas make for a good blade in the half blade style shavettes and I would recommend giving those a try before writing the razor off.

 

[daflorc]

I think what you guys are describing is more how the edge was finished, and not what kind of razor or steel you're working with. If you want a nice smooth shave that's not gonna tear up your face, finish with a cuticle. If you like that razor sharp edge that might, the finish on some jnats, 12-15k sharptons, (I'm assuming lapping films) and diamond compound, IMO.

 

[JonM]

I think what you guys are describing is more how the edge was finished, and not what kind of razor or steel you're working with. If you want a nice smooth shave that's not gonna tear up your face, finish with a cuticle. If you like that razor sharp edge that might, the finish on some jnats, 12-15k sharptons, (I'm assuming lapping films) and diamond compound, IMO.

I think you mean coticule, not cuticle.

I actually have a coti and I have many straights that have been professionally honed (including jnat, coticule, and film edges). Don't get me wrong. I love my straights. That being said, I got a damn fine shave off this Parker with a Personna loaded up. If someone came to me asking for a straight razor substitute for those who don't want the hassle of maintaining one, I'd easily recommend this thing.

 

[Mick]

I've had a Parker sitting in a cup on my counter for way too long now.

I need to use it soon or put it away.

I think use it wins

 

[rockviper]

I tried shavettes several time, getting eaten up each time, so I gave up on them. Then I got back into straights and tried a shavette again with a nice result. Using straights helped my shavette technique and then I discovered that using the shavette helped my straight shaves. Talk about a win-win!

 

[daflorc]

I think you mean coticule, not cuticle.

LOL you'd think that this forum wouldn't allow autocorrect on the word "coticule." It does this to me all the time!

 

[daflorc]

I tried shavettes several time, getting eaten up each time, so I gave up on them. Then I got back into straights and tried a shavette again with a nice result. Using straights helped my shavette technique and then I discovered that using the shavette helped my straight shaves. Talk about a win-win!

I found that my shaves improved drastically when I stopped using a digging, sawing motion

 

[kirisute]

I use feather DE blades snapped in half in mine. Alot of people warned me off them to start with but I figured I'd risk it! Lol!
now I have the SR1 and a coolcut; hopefully I'll eventually head onto a full SE as well!

 

[California Cajun]

Okay... this has completely thrown me for a loop today. Out of curiosity and for the fun of it, I decided to order a Parker shavette for the purpose of using it as a project blade (hense the thread that bore the seed for the shavette competition - you're welcome ). Well, it arrived today and I decided to give it a test run before starting on my modifications (I wanted to at least know what a stock Parker shaved like). So, I snapped one of my red Personna blades in half, broke out my Arko, and started shaving using my typical straight razor techniques. Immediately, I was shocked by the lack of irritation and the closeness with which it was taking off my 2-day growth. The end result after only two passes was a damn good shave with no nicks, cuts, or irritation. Even more interesting to me was that this wasn't my first time using a shavette. I had previously used a shavette made by The Shaving Factory (which I have since PIF'ed away). While the SF shavette sliced & diced my face when I wasn't completely focused, the Parker was like a high-end sports car on a race track. It took every curve of my face and I wasn't afraid to shave with it using my typical straight razor speed. While I don't expect it to completely replace my straights, I'm pretty damned impressed with it. One question - When did I get to bizarro world?

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I'm not surprised. I had difficulty trying to use a Dovo shavette and when I got a Parker shavette like the one pictured, it was infinitely better. I think using a Dovo shavette is more difficult because it is too small and too light weight. The Parker better replicates a true straight.

 

[Gustav]

I too have a Dovo shavette and I find it to be a nice complement to my shaving arsenal. I find it especially useful when on short trips where I might not necessarily want to add a strop to my luggage. I also get fantastic shaves from it and I am not surprised at the OPs observations. I find that I almost automatically use a lighter touch when shaving with my shavette because the blades are so sharp that no pressure is needed. As a result I end up with less irritation. Also the shorter blade seems to make it more maneuverable.

 

[Firewalker]

I shaved with my Parker last night, I loaded up a Derby and was able to get a semi-XTG on my neck which to date, I have only been able to do with a DE. No nicks or weepers, no sting from the Bay Rum.

 

[JonM]

Wow!!!

Let me just say that since rescaling my Parker for the shavette competition, I've used nothing else since. The added weight of the wood scales put the heft & balance right in line with a traditional straight. I am completely amazed that it's working out so well. And I thought I had good results from this thing when it was bone stock!