I have been using a DE for a few months now and want to try a straight. I have been reading up, watching videos and am ready to give it a try. However I am not ready to pay $50 or more for a blade. I dont know if there is a specific term for them but was curious about the straights that use the blades that can be changed. The blade is similar to half of a DE. I dont see a lot of talk about them on the forums. Maybe that is for good reason? Basically I am curious what your opinions are on these. Im guessing if they were liked there would be more talk about them. I can see a convenience of changing the blade when needed. But how is the blade/edge compared to a properly sharpened razor? How about the balance and weight? Im guessing one of these would feel lighter maybe not as well balanced? I suspect the brand of blade would make a difference similar to a DE? I have already discovered some differences in blades with the DE. Each blade ive tried provided a different shave. For the price I can get one of these I may just give it a try. But I am a little nervous it may ruin my first time experience. Thanks for any input.
I have always called the razor that you are describing as a shavette. I have one that is galled a Magic shavette and paid 8 bucks at Sallys Beauty supply store. It takes one half of a DE blade. There are others, I believe that Feather makes one that takes a full sized blade that either slides or injects into the straight razor. The Magic shavette is what I learned on. It is a lot harder to use one than a regular STR8 razor IMHO. The blade isn't as stiff as the regular STR8 and can nick you more easily. But, it is an inexpensive way to try str8 shaving and once you do learn how without nicking yourself and manage a good smooth shave with it, the regular STR8 is a bit easier to get accustomed to. I'm sure that there will be others on here than can jump in and offer you more info on your question. Hope this helps, some.
Several months ago I was asking the same questions. In the past I tried a shavette and cut myself up pretty badly. I took the plunge and bought a Feather Artist Club SS. These razors use replacement blades which are incredibly sharp. MUCH sharper than a traditional straight. They are however better than a shavette. The blades have no sharp corners to slice you during a shave. The razor requires no maintenance. Just dispose of the blade when it starts to tug. There is a high initial outlay....but you dont require strops or hones. Feather have three ranges the RG (which has some nice scale options) the DX ( very expensive) and the SS. The SS has a different geometry and is much more forgiving than the others. Feather produce a number of types of blade. Mild, Professional, SuperProfessional and Guarded (protective wires} Kai produce the Captain and Captain Excelia razors and these are similar to the Feather range....but not so popular. They also have their own blades which are interchangeable with the Feathers. I have both makes....will never part with them....and seldom use my DE Razors. With a little practice....they are that good.
Thanks for the good info. For now I think I will give one of the cheapies a try and if it doesnt work out I wont get too discouraged. The Feather Artist, is that the same company that makes the Feather blade for the DE? Not that it would be the same but that was the second blade I tried in my DE and did not like it, I got a lot of razor burn and irritation from that one. I only used it 3 times and had to stop, I will try it again though when my skills get better. The Feather Artist Club is a little pricy but sounds like it could be a good option, I do like the idea of always having a sharp blade without any work. Although I am not opposed to sharpening and stropping. Ultimately I think I will start saving up for a good straight of some kind and keep looking for a used one to.
I have a feather AC and it is what I started with. The blades are wicked sharp and give great shaves . If u make a mistake it can be a bloodbath. Dovo also makes a cheaper priced disposable straight. If I had it to do over I would have just went to a regular straight. I actually found it to be a very quick learning curve with and more forgiving with a regular straight compared to the Feather. The Feather is a guranteed BBS shaver and the ease of just tossing in a new blade can be beneficial at times. The biggest factors when starting out is good facial prep, take your time and let the blade do the work not pressure. I didn't hear about this one until after I was well on my way but some vendors of straights recommend doing your first pass with a regular razor and the going to the straight when learning. Enjoy what ever you decide.
Same here...I have both a parker shavette and 2 straights....the shavette is usually the one to slice me up pretty bad...dont know what it is....if I had to guess id say its due to the weight....straights are usually on the heavier side as my shavette is quite light and I more less have to put pressure on it to shave which I dont like.
I have 2 syles of Shavettes. The first is a Parker and as mentioned above the weight and balance is very different from a true straight. The blade is thinner, flexible, and possibly sharper (not sure). It is lighter and you do have to apply some pressure. It gives a decent shave but you just have to be very careful with it. Learning to get a good technique with the Parker does not exactly transfer to the straight, you're still going to have to learn again when you transition. It is good to at least get used to using your off hand to shave. My second shavette is a Weck Sextoblade. This is a vintage razor that takes a single edge style blade. The razors can be picked up on eBay from $6-$10 for a basic one. There are also Weck Hair Shapers, that are meant for salon use to cut hair. They take the same blades but the spine of the razor is just a bit shorter. You can find these vintage on eBay or new at Beauty Supply Stores. The blades you need are called hair shaper blades and can be purchased form Sally Beauty Supply (Personna and Fromm brands). This razor is weighted more closely to a true straight. The blade is thick and stiff and cuts more like a true straight. In my opinion, this is a very good approximation of using a straight and will teach you what you need to know to transition. Another thing aboutthe Wecks, is that they came with a removable safety guard. Shaving with the guard on makes it almost effortless. So much easier than using it without. It's like training wheels. It was meant to be a transitional razor from straights to DE (I think). Some ebay razors will be missing the guard however. And if you get a hair shaper, the guard curves the wrong way and you cannot shave with it. That guard is only meant for cutting hair, not shaving.
