We'll have to agree to disagree, both on technique and what I see in those pics. Thank you for an honest and sincere argument. We have effectively presented both ideas, and it will be up to the readers as to what really works.
Hey, just try it for fun, then decide for yourselves. Can't go through life totally pragmatic. Think of this like taking the training wheels off of a kids bike. Remember how much fun that was as a kid? Same thing with the first shave using a Devette.
Trying to sharpen modern thin stainless blades in something that was designed for thick carbon steel blades is indeed an exercise in futility.
That was written when thick carbon steel blades were the only blades. Sharpening DE blades was always a falsity. Sent from my mobile device
Stropping them was a falsity. I'll still stick to the belief that they can be sharpened...At least with a shake sharp razor. That will teach me to actually read the article before I open my yap, eh? Sure.
DIY DEvette - 28 June 2016 I just treated this an SR shave, full stretches for each stroke, and rode the cap to a two-pass (WTG then ATG) irritation-free DFS. Alum was cool, Osage was cold, face is fresh and smooth for dinner out with Mrs. Samurai. Have a nice evening.
As you know, I do use a str8, so I know all about extra caution. I could see myself, though, using that, lapsing into DE autopilot and things getting ugly.
I neither encourage nor discourage DEvette usage. It ain't for everybody, and it requires intense concentration!
I've probably got a long comb I could do that to. I was going to braze a bar on one side of it... Sent from my mobile device
How my DEvette came to be: The razor is a Utopia, brass handle, Zinc alloy head. The threads on the head are corroded (bad plating? zamak pest?) and the head has reached the end of its service life. Four well placed snips with a side cutter, we have DEvette, at least until the corrosion kills it off. I saw the write up of Barbe Bleu, and since I am competent with a straight razor, just decided to see what DEvette was like. I'd never do this daily, but it was a fun exercise.
I made one of these in May too! I took a cheap OC and cut the comb off one side after seeing @mrchick's razor. Got an amazing shave. I am normally an SR shaver, and get a more comfortable shave when I can adjust the angle to where I like it, which is past what the safety bars on most safety razors allow. Making this half-safe razor and using it made me realize how much I depend on getting the angle right to get a comfortable shave.
I must be a whimp. I found the DEvette worked ok if I shaved everyday and took my time, but if I skipped a day or rushed it gave me a horrible shave!! Besides not being comfortable it took way to much effort and concentration not to maul my face. I guess I just need the ease, comfort and speed my safety bars provide. While I'm certainly glad I tried the DEvette it now resides safely tucked away with the SR, shavette collection. I'm never going to leave my Stahly Live Blade head again
