If you’re looking for a good straight razor, look no further than the shavette straight blade. Shavette blades are an interesting and popular shaving tool. A shavette is a straight razor blade that uses only half of a standard safety razor blade to provide smooth shaves.
Men had used this blade to shave for centuries, even before safety razors were invented. They are cheaper than traditional straight razors and hardly need honing and stropping. Plus, they give you clean and smooth shaves without nicking your skin.
Once you get the hang of these blades, shavette razors can give you a much closer shave than safety razors. Can a shavette blade give you a good shave? How do you use a shavette razor?
What is a Shavette Razor?
Shavette razors look just like your traditional straight razors. A shavette can house either a fixed blade or a folding blade. However, shavette razors are set apart from their traditional counterparts because they house disposable blades.
Also, most shavette contain a spine slot that can secure a single- or double-edged safety razor blade. Compared to traditional straight razors, shavette blades are shorter and more lightweight. Also, they are the best straight razors for shaving sensitive and hard-to-reach areas.
How Do You Use a Shavette?
There are certain things you’ll need to grab before you begin shaving. If you want to have a good shaving experience, you’ll need the following:
A Good Shavette Blade
When buying a straight razor, search for the best shavette blade. As a tip, you can go for popular brands or check for products with many positive reviews.
The good thing about shavette blades is that they are cheap, so they won’t break the bank.
Shaving Cream
You also need good shaving cream and oil. These products will open up your pores and soften your hair for a smooth shave. You also need a good aftershave balm to protect your skin from irritation.
Shaving Bowl and Brush
Lastly, you’ll need a shaving brush to apply the shaving cream on your face smoothly. Also, a shaving bowl helps you keep the well-lathered cream warm and ready for use.
Patience
If you are new to shaving, you need time to master these blades. Getting good at using a shavette blade doesn’t take long, but you might nick yourself while learning. Now, here’s how to shave using a shavette blade.
How to Shave With a Shavette Razor
Shaving made easy! Learn how to use a shavette razor with our step-by-step guide
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Prepare Your Skin
Prepping your skin and loosening your hair is the first step. To do that, wet your shaving brush a little and then use it to dampen the bottom of your shaving bowl.
Dip the wet brush into your shaving cream and use it to dab the shaving bowl again. Give the cream a good stir until it forms a soapy consistency.
The next step is to apply heat to your face by holding a hot towel against it for 15-20 minutes. Your hair will soften and your pores will open. This will give you a smoother and closer shave.
Use the brush to cover the shaving area with cream. When applying the cream, massage the hairs in a circular motion to loosen them even more. Give the lotion some time to settle and work your hair before shaving.
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Start Shaving
Grip the razor in a way that makes you feel comfortable and dexterity. Feel free to switch things up until you get a comfortable grip. However, the basic grip is the ring, middle, and index finger on top, pinky on the blade’s handle, and thumb finger in the blade’s center at the back.
When shaving, it’s best to go with the grain rather than against it. Use slow, gentle, and short strokes so you don’t get nicked. Start working on your cheeks, progress to your chin and neck, and finish up under your nose. Be extra careful when shaving your neck. This area is extremely sensitive, thin, and prone to nicks.
Once you finish the first round, re-apply some shaving cream using the method above and go for the second pass. If, on the other hand, you have skin that is easily irritated, it’s best to skip the second round. Otherwise, you run the risk of irritating your skin.
Once you are done shaving, splash cold water over your face to wash up the shaving area and close up your pores.
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Apply Aftershave
Use a soothing aftershave lotion to relax your skin. You have just scraped off a layer of microscopic debris and dead cells. Therefore, the rejuvenating effects of vitamin E are very important.
Putting on some aftershave will make you smell good and help close up your pores and prevent bacteria from getting in. Plus, most aftershave lotions contain glycerin and neem oil, which are excellent moisturizers. That’s it!
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Correctly Storage Your Shavette Razor
If you want your shavette blade to last longer, take blade storage seriously. Once you are done shaving, rinse the shavette blade and wipe dry with a clean towel. Store the shavette blade in a clean, dry place, away from moisture.
You can also rub some blade oil over the shavette blade if you intend to store it for long. This prevents the blade from becoming rusted from any moisture that may be present in the air. Also, if your blade gets bad and rusty, don’t use it to shave!
How to Get the Closest Shave With a Shavette
Is a shavette as good as a safety razor? Yes, it is! A shavette razor is even better than a safety razor in providing a closer shave. When it comes to having a smooth and close shave, a shavette razor is the best straight razor for the job.
To get a close shave, maintain a thirty-degree angle between the shavette razor and your face. If you hold the shavette too steep, you’ll nick your skin, and if you hold it too flat, you’ll rip the stubble. Keep a firm grip and make any required adjustments as you shave sensitive areas like the chin and upper lips.
The trick to getting a close shave is to pull the skin up with one hand to expand the shaving area. Next, shave by applying gentle pressure with your other hand. A shavette blade is sharp, so you can trust it to do its job. Therefore, you don’t have to apply too much pressure when shaving.
On the other hand, you should never attempt a stroke without using shaving cream to provide a protective layer for your skin. Also, if you aren’t used to shavette razors, it may be best to use ordinary safety razors to cover sensitive areas.
How Long Does a Shavette Blade Last?
How often should you change your shavette blade? As you can expect, most people have different opinions about this particular topic. Ideally, a good shavette blade should last three to five months if you shave less often. It’s best to change your shavette blade after every 60-70 shaves.
On the other hand, always strop the shavette blade before every shave. Since the shavette’s fine edge is quite delicate, realigning it before shaving is necessary for a close shave. On a different note, a straight razor should not be sharpened more often than once every two months.
Therefore, if you find yourself doing it more often than that, you are probably not stropping properly. Lastly, note that each time you sharpen your blade, you’re chipping away at the metal. Therefore, you should avoid regular honing to retain its edge.
Conclusion
Can you get a good shave from shavette? Yes, you can. A shavette razor provides a better and closer shave than safety razors. Shavette razors are sharp, lightweight, and provide more control over the blade. Since the blade’s edges are sharp, you need to position the blade at the right angle when shaving.
Dragging or pressing the blade too hard against your skin will get you nicked. The best way to shave with a shavette razor is by applying short and gentle strokes. However, prepare your face before the shave for a better experience.
Hi, I’m Theo, and I started Shaving Parlour to help men everywhere get the best shave of their lives. Check out my popular guides on Safety Razors, Shaving Cream, Shaving Brushes, Beard Oil, and more!