Couldn't find anything on these via the 'search' tool, but for $10, and that they are a shaving tool, there really ought to be some post on this site about 'em. So, unless I'm mistaken, here it is: I've never used a straight razor - or, at least a 'real' straight razor, but I am becoming somewhat better and better with my (Spilo?) Personna Magic Razor. It just requires buying a pack of DE razor blades, then snapping one in-half to fit one-half into the Magic Razor. From there, on, it's just technique. I thought I'd just post it in case some are thinking about moving over to a straight razor but don't want to put out the $$$ on the equipment just yet. Granted, it may not even be considered a 'straight razor' to the purists, but for the price (and always being able to have a new sharp blade without the blade-prep of a real SE) it works for me.
Thanks for the pic. Never seen one made by them. They're called "shavette" razors here, though. Dovo makes one and I have some Russian made one also. They are very unforgiving, at least for me.
With some blades I have found it unforgiving. The best blades I've used were the pack my barber gave me to use with the shavette - but that was back before I knew enough to ask what brand they were. Since then I've bought two new packs of blades - one I believe I gave up on, and the other is 'usable.' But in as far as being forgiving, I find that as long as I maintain the correct angle this shavette does serve me well (though I've never shaved my whole face with it - up until this recent purchase of a Merkur HD (arriving next week) I've been using a Mach 3 cartridge to take the bulk off, then the shavette to get a close shave. I'd say it's saved me money by extending the amount of time I can use a Mach 3 insert since I'm just using it to take off the big stuff. Another plus, for what it's worth, is that I can, and do, use it with no lather (just the water from a rinse and whatever residual slipperiness is there from the last lather), so I can see what i am attempting to trim off better. To that end I guess I could call it 'forgiving,' but again, just like the forums say about DE razors - blade brand choice will be an important factor.
I thought shavettes were meant for cleaning up the neck after a haircut, and not for regular shaving. Am I wrong?
Magic Shavette... That's a good question, I have bought three of them, used them four or five times, and they work great as a shaving tool, you just have to go rrrrreeeeeaaaaaalllll ssssssslllllllllllloooooooowwwwwww with them if you're new to them as I am. I'm assuming they are meant to be shaved with. And on top of all that, I don't get nearly the irritation I received when I used the DE's and cartridge razors. I'm still trying to figure that one out. But so far I personally enjoy them. I just hope that my speed will increase with time because taking a whole hour to shave is hardly justifiable if you are not the only one living in the house.
I don't know if that was their original purpose, but just about every barber that offers shaves these days uses some form of a Shavette. This is due in part to ease of use (no honing, and stropping to fuss with), and partly due to state laws that require each new customer be shaved with a brand new blade (so as to eliminate transmission of blood-borne diseases). There are quite a few gentlemen on the shave boards who successfully shave with a Shavette style razor.
I have a Magic Razor and would never use it to shave my face with , for me it did not work like that,it seemed too prone to give me a cut or nick works fine as a body shaver. One shavette thats low cost and receives great reviews is the Sanquine X D20. I bought one and its a super shaver. I have gotten outstanding shaves with this one. Its a tad heftier than the MR and smaller than a 5/8 straight. I got for $15 from Sanquine Scissors? in the UK, you also get a pack of Wilkinson swords with it, super fast shipping , ordered online on a Sunday and it arrived in the mail on Thursday. One excellent shavette.
I have the exact same design made of a lightweight metal (aluminum?). It's just fine, although I need to use a square-nosed pliers to pull out the blade holder from the housing. This is a nice, low-cost entry-level disposable straight-edge design. The DE blades provide a very sharp edge without the fuss of stropping/honing, etc., but also are very sharp, like the heftier disposable straights, which don't provide the more forgiving nature of a traditional straight edge. I think these are a great way to enter into the straight razor world, though. Mine is the "Vincent" brand. I've seen another brand that had a solid metal holder that gave more heft but I think the sharper blade (DE or whatever else is compatible) doesn't necessitate the heft if you develop the skills. The hollow aluminum ones are probably all made in the same factory anyway..
