Last week I had no Straights...now I have 2!

**showard** · 05-04-2012, 11:00 AM

My DE journey led me into SE, and now I'm getting prepared to go the final step and try straights. I acquired an antique store buy from my wonderful mother (who also found me my first SE at an antique shop), a Wostenholm IXL that to my eye looks as though it's never been honed-no discernable honing 'flats' on the spine even under magnification, the thing looks new. But before I jump in with this one and get all equipped with say a poor man's strop kit and a professional honing, I decided I would go buy a shavette just to get a bit of a feel for how this works. I know that a shavette is a different kind of feel, but if I like the experience I'll consider it $20 well spent.
The other appealing thing about straights is that I like to maintain my own edges. So far that has meant only pocket & kitchen knives, but in 25 years of marriage my wife has never had to ask "Is this knife sharp?"...you could probalby get a pretty passable shave with any knife in my house.
So, wish me luck! I'll try the shavette this weekend and if things progress smoothly, I'll be back on here for some advice on all sorts of straight razor maintenace equipment - and another AD will have sprung up out of nowhere.
As an aside, I've lurked around this part of the forum for months with the idea that when the opportunity presented itself, I would have to try this.

**Obiwan** · 05-04-2012, 11:05 AM

Welcome, congrats and goood luck. Let us know how you make out or if you have any questions along the way.

**ladykate** · 05-04-2012, 11:10 AM

To me, a shavette is not a straight razor experience. Shavettes are very unforgiving and are not good to learn on (IMHO). If you are going to spend $20 on a shavette - then think about spending $55 on a kit from Larry and starting off right. Using a shavette for the acid test of whether you want to embrace straight razors (or to learn about straight shaving) is not the way I would do it. Again, different strokes for folks but it just makes me cringe when I see posts about shavettes as an entry into the world of straights. They are really two different beasts. I shave almost exclusively with straights - I do my head and have even shaved in the dark. However, I would hesitate to grab a shavette and do the same.

The straight will cut you less than the shavette - even as a newbie (or maybe... especially as a newbie).

Having said that, I own a shavette and I use it on occasions after I've put up the current straight. It is handy for touch ups.

**diyguy** · 05-04-2012, 12:43 PM

Two new straights per week? That seems like the right trajectory. :-)

**echotron** · 05-04-2012, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by diyguy

Two new straights per week? That seems like the right trajectory. :-)

52 Weeks = 104 Straights ... man, he will never have to hone 'em but once ... throw 'em away like razor blades!

PM me for ship to info for your once used str8s! Thanks in Advance!

**hokahay** · 05-04-2012, 01:09 PM

Quan(f) = Quan(b) + 1/2bw^2 where b = constant acceleration due to RAD and w = weeks .

I have never tried a shavette, but i imagine they are sharper and less forgiving therefore a bit more of a challenge to start out with when learning.

**Seraphim** · 05-04-2012, 01:37 PM

**Straight Rasier User** · 05-04-2012, 01:42 PM

Good Luck.

Once you go Straight you really hate going back.

**PapaFish** · 05-04-2012, 01:50 PM

I have used a Weck Sextoblade (like a shavette) and like it a lot. The sextoblade comes with a reversible guard, and uses blades you can buy at a beauty supply store. In my experience, it worked great. With the guard, it's more forgiving than a straight of equal sharpness. Without the guard, it's a bit less forgiving, but comparable to a straight shave, without the need to strop. Look one up on eBay if you want one. I would try to not pay more than $10 or $15 for one, which may mean you need to do some intense cleaning with pipe cleaners, metal polish, a tooth brush, old rags, q-tips... whatever's handy. Otherwise, you can be like me, and jump in two feet first, buy a hone (maybe you will want to start with more than one, but I only bought one and honing took FOREVER), and get your razors shaving! A Poor Man's Strop Kit is the way to go for your strop needs. It's what I started on over a year ago, and still use today. It's good leather, and the pasted balsa strop is great for adding sharpness and maintaining an edge. Larry (at whippeddog.com) does a great job (from what I hear) at putting an edge on a razor, so you could send him your razors, get both honed, and returned with the PMSK, and be off and running for under $50 with two shaving razors (provided they are in good shape that is).

**JoeBass** · 05-04-2012, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by ladykate

To me, a shavette is not a straight razor experience. Shavettes are very unforgiving and are not good to learn on (IMHO). If you are going to spend $20 on a shavette - then think about spending $55 on a kit from Larry and starting off right. Using a shavette for the acid test of whether you want to embrace straight razors (or to learn about straight shaving) is not the way I would do it. The straight will cut you less than the shavette - even as a newbie (or maybe... especially as a newbie).

I agree. For me, the shavette was nothing like a real straight, and was much more difficult to use.

**PFP_Dad** · 05-04-2012, 08:02 PM

I liked my shavette once I got used to it, but it definitely isn't a comparable skill. What it is good for is getting used to holding the general shape of a straight and if your a perfectionist you can practice without a blade in it to get your left hand to be more useful.

**showard** · 05-04-2012, 09:54 PM

My left hand is extremely useful- I'm left handed! Anyway, I used the shavette this evening and I have two thoughts. First, I can do the straight. I only got a couple of weepers, maybe from the lessons about pressure that the SEs taught me, but I did a WTG/XTG with the shavette and was very pleased.
Second, I'll be getting my vintage straight ready for action ASAP because I loved the experience and will enjoy it even more with a proper blade!
I need to work on my chin area, but I didn't want to press my luck.

**tomjr** · 05-04-2012, 10:14 PM

welcome to the wild ride!!!

**showard** · 05-06-2012, 07:25 PM

OK, I just sent payment to Larry for a sight unseen package. After 2 shavette shaves (you guys are right about the shavettes being unforgiving) I just couldn't help myself. I'll keep the Wostenholm in it's unused condition for now.

**showard** · 05-07-2012, 06:26 PM

3rd shave with the shavette ( a Spilo) this evening. Man, I can't wait for a proper straight. This shave went so well that I went right- hand which for me is wrong- hand, and it really did make a huge difference on the right side of my face and neck. The thing is, not one nick using my right hand. I guess I was being more careful and deliberate. Also for third shave I broke an Astra in half while the first two shaves were with the Derby 1/2 blades that came with my razor. I guess for me, half a Derby is just as bad as a whole one.

**PFP_Dad** · 05-07-2012, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by showard

I guess for me, half a Derby is just as bad as a whole one.

Too funny, I completely agree.

**duokun** · 05-07-2012, 08:47 PM

just a note on the shavette thing, i have been using a Weck Sextoblade for my last few shaves, and i feel that it is a pretty good shave. I have been using it to get used to the technique and mechanics of straight razor shaving. I still need to get a hang of the whole stroping bit, so i like the disposable blade of the sextoblade being a guaranteed sharp blade. i have only gotten one weeper, and that was because i was rushing, something i should have learned by now not to do with any razor.