Why use a shavette instead of an open razor?

July 12, 2010 · Posted in Shaving Creams, Shaving Tips, Straight Razor Shaving · Comment 

A shavetteis a razor that is similar to a straight or cutthroat razor, with the main difference relating to the fact that its blades can be changed. These razors are available from well-known brands such as Parker and Dovo and so you can be assured of a quality product. If you are wondering whether you should consider one above a typical open razor, then check out the points below.

Dovo of Solingen Shavette (Polished Steel Handle)

The shavette is a distinctive and stylish razor that is proving to be very popular at this moment in time. The key reason for this is that as the blade does not need to be frequently stropped or sharpened, it can save time for those who are in a hurry, but still want to experience the luxury of a wet shave. Therefore, the preparation time for the shave is greatly reduced when using a shavette.

As with a safety razor, the shavette can be fitted with disposable blades, which slide into place and can be changed from time to time. This gives the user a greater flexibility to replace the blades when required, yet still be able to enjoy the closeness of a shave you can only get by using a straight razor.

A shavette is quite affordable and standard double edged razor blades are not all that expensive. These products are great when travelling as you won’t need to take the other shaving equipment such as a strop or hone with you.

So, you may be wondering after hearing about these advantages why anyone would use anything else. Well, the blades can still be very sharp and so they are usually recommended for more experienced (and patient) wet shavers. If you make any errors with this lighter razor you can easily cut yourself, so with a steep learning curve extra care is needed when using a shavette.

In the end it is up to you to decide if a shavette is for you or not. Many people still prefer the extra comfort a straight razor gives you, and don’t mind taking the time to prepare a razor for shaving. For these shavers, there is no substitute for the real thing. Other people prefer to keep both to hand, so there is always a spare razor ready to use. Whatever your view on this, there is no denying that shavettes are an excellent quick alternative to an open razor.

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