Before You Buy a Shavette Razor, Watch This

I have owned this Parker Shavette Razor for a week. Shaving with it incrementally every day has helped me find pitfalls in my technique without making a mess of my already messy face. The shavette is like a straight razor but takes single edge blades that can be finnicky to replace. The razor feels good in the hand although, I am not used to holding it yet. I do find the shavette can give a closer shave if you fully commit to the process.
You can pick up your own Parker Shavette from the Shave Mercantile theshavemercantile.com or other shops around the internet.
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[@GregTardif]

Have you tried a shavette or straight razor? What do you think?

[@magnoliamike]

Yes I own several of both. Straights, Kamasori style Shavettes, etc But I will say learning with a Shavette made straight razors a lot easier

[@magnoliamike]

But!!! All that being said safety razors are still my favorite!! And my buddies in the straight razor forms sure don’t like that. They also don’t like the people that just use Shavettes over traditional straights. Because they don’t have to Hone or Strop

[@GregTardif]

@@magnoliamike I’ve heard that the jump from shavette to straight is a bit easier. I do want to try a Kamosori (sp?) at some point for sure!

[@Gen-X702]

I would say straight razor all day every day if you can maintain your razor the price of shaving is literally I believe one cent a day to shave

[@zenrazor659]

I am a veteran of shavette. Shavette is totally different from a straight razor! in all sense! Unfortunately this was my first shavette and is not good! neither bad ! But is very difficult for a beginner! The Best is Feather and Kai that are suited also for beginner. You are wrong : you will never use shavette fast! If you wanna go fast you should go with a straight razor not very sharpened ! and for a shave not done well! A fast shave with shavette is like driving a Fiat and pretending of going fast like a Ferrari ! Buy a Kai shavette and will understand that Parker is not good!

[@stogiedude]

Been using a shavette for a while. Takes some time to master. Angle is EVERYTHING! Also, landing the blade to the face causes the most cuts. Should be flush to the skin, then rise to 30 degrees. Short, deliberate strokes. Well worth the time. Trust me…you’ll get there!

[@GregTardif]

Thank you! I’m getting a lot better at using the shavette since making this video. I try to incorporate somewhere in my shave every shave.

[@whyusucksobad]

Great tip, thank you!

[@areguapiri]

Shavettes, straight razors, and safety razors are for true men. Pure manliness!

[@lancepheng]

Beginners practice on your arm hair for first time. Also the Derby blades off Amazon are amazing. Single blades

[@GregTardif]

I have some of the derby blades. I have been using the shavette for sometime and have gotten better with it. I guess shaving the arm first would help with finding an angle. I just ended up going slow on my face and paying hyper attention to what I was doing. Thank you for watching

[@OutrageousCast]

Hey Greg, i started learning straight razor shaving, honing and of course ended up with a couple of shavettes as well. So here’s a couple of tips for you: First of all, you need to be really carefull of the 90degrees angle that you are showing a lot in the video. Always aim for 30degrees or sometimes even less. Skin stretching is the best way to combat your trouble areas - chin, neck and whatever. It can be really difficult to maintain the correct angle on the chin, so try and go across the grain while skin stretching instead :)

[@GregTardif]

Thanks Mark! Yes! I have been doing a lot more practicing since this video came out and have been having a lot more success with a shallower angle. My chin is still a problem area that I am working on so will try the skin stretching more. Thanks for watching and sharing your insight!

[@magnoliamike]

Also I did a PROS VS CONS about Shavettes and straights and the Shavette got a lot of points not having to hone or strop. PLUS you can use your favorite BLADE!!! Or use the mildest one in your Shave Den to make it less aggressive

[@MrPleers]

The stropping and (especially) the honing is the main reason why I did not try my straight razor's yet. I know I will probable mess it up when I have to hone a straight. (As I have zero experience). And I don't like the idea of having to find someone who can do it for me and send it over the mail.

[@omarkharnivall2439]

Thats it, I was dead on getting a straight but you sold me on the shavette when you talked about being capable of using my favourite blade, as a beginner i think im gonna have to experiment a lot before finding what works for me and the means to swap blades will be very useful.

[@magnoliamike]

Ur personality complements the way you look. Like your style. You are that nerdy , whimsical, type of dude that still likes comics and doesn’t care! Also love your editing 🤌🏻

[@GregTardif]

Just do you haha thanks

[@jhh243]

Man im with you on taking the razer blade out and i stalling a new one. It feels like a dodgy adventure everytime.

[@livewiya]

I completely lost my shit when you said you can handle "a limited amount of pain" at 5:00

[@inspectorgadget346]

I used a Boker straight razor and while I love it, it takes more work. You have to use a strop prior to the shave. You need to get it honed periodically as though the strop helps keep the edge, the edge will lose its sharpness overtime. With a shavette, you just replace the razor.

[@TinTin-ov6cg]

It's all about practice and finding the angle. I use a straight razor to shave my head, best shave ever!

[@GregTardif]

Thanks buddy! Working on it

[@BarbaTradicional]

That was a great one! I also enjoy shavette and straight razors... I do prefer the latter! Gotta get back to them more often! Cheers

[@GregTardif]

Thanks! I haven’t tried a straight yet. But I like the lower cost of entry and expertise to the shavette (honing and such) one day I will try the straight razor though!

[@sushiclyde7940]

i saw this on the shop outside and thought it was cool. thanks for showing us your experience with it!

[@pabdouhar]

I just received my Parker shavette today, saw Geo using it on his KZbin channel and he made it look easy & fun, I’ll give it a test drive my next shave, what can possibly go wrong! 😮

[@chrisblanc663]

How’d it go?

[@pabdouhar]

@@chrisblanc663 not too bad, took it slow and did get a smooth comfortable shave with no nicks, but i do like the feather shavette better, easier and more comfortable with the longer blade for me

[@michaeldamisch1367]

Good morning Greg, I tried a Shavette years ago and ended up looking like after a car wreck without wearing a seat belt. Since then the cutter sits on my self in my shaveden. So good luck I'm looking forward to your updates. Stay safe and healthy 🪒 💈

[@GregTardif]

Thanks for coming by. I will probably start using it more when I have a few more days of growth. It’s pretty nifty and certainly gives me a wake up call! Haha

[@enanthate]

Been using a shavette for a while.. And it's as relaxing as it is rewarding And as a "non crazy aficionado" beard/shave guy, the hand blocking the vision thing you can get around by just using it the other way around, against the grain lol. (Everyone be like "ohh you shouldn't ever cut against the grain, you gonna have ingrown hairs and stuff", but, I kinda like it since it takes like a day or so of beard growth, but.. I believe that's because I'm not prone to ingrowns since my beard is kinda straight). The chin area (if it's under the lip), stick your tongue there in front of your teeth as to stretch the skin. The moustache area, just push your lips to the other side and it kinda gives a good stretch to work with.

[@keithjohnson5190]

I cut all different ways, what ever works the best for you, never had an ingrown hair, I think that depends on the type of beard you have.

[@Gen-X702]

It’s just practice it’s not as intimidating as it seems I actually never used a shave it I started using a straight razor when I was 19 or 20 and I absolutely love it first couple months were a little tricky but I can actually get a super close shave fairly quickly about as long as it would take me with a mock three or something after a while you just don’t notice just make sure you have a good hone and make sure you strop them Well that’s for straight razor but you’ll get it and you’ll never look back

[@GregTardif]

Nice! yeah I am a lot more comfortable with a shavette now and have incorporated it in most of my shaves since this video has been released. I have a Feather Artist club I need to hunker down and make a video about soon. Thank you for sharing.

[@areguapiri]

Punctuation?

[@ironiron-nf3oc]

I buy a shavette monday and i cut me maybe 3 times but i think its a procedera. No pain no gain 😅

[@GregTardif]

I’ve gotten a lot better with it. Trial and error. Good luck

[@IveJustSeenAFace23]

Shave with a DE, going on ten years. Got a Vanta shavette in the mail today. I’m scared (lol). Jokes aside, this video helped as have the comments. Going to use a moderately sharp blade to start with.

[@cyberyoda1611]

I'd say, everything has its purpose. It is much more comfortable if you shave with a DE razor, but, if you have a beard, shavette is the right choice to remove it, if you don't have an electric shaver to do it for you. It is so fast and clean work, in comparison to a clogging DE razor, you must clean it every second. Then you use a DE razor, Rockwell 6S of course. : ) I have it and it is the best. If we talk about shawettes, I bought a bunch of them, I love collecting them. But, the best ones for saving are the Turkish ones, they are nothing but a piece of bad plastic and a piece of metal, you must slide a razor between two sheets of metal, but..., this is the most comfortable shavette of all. I have all versions of Parker, and it is much easier to handle the Turkish cheapest shavette than this one, from the video, with the lock. It is a fact that even their barbers (in Turkey) use this cheap shavette, they are very easy to work with. Very light, and very precise. Generally, I don't like shaving with shavette, they are great for the beard, or to cut the hair on your armpits, but it is too harsh for my face. It is hard to find the angle, it is very easy to fleece my skin. It is not about cutting, I lose one layer of my skin.

[@BetterEveryShave]

I got a shavette for Christmas and I still haven't tried it. I try holding it up to my face without a blade as if I'm going to use it to shave and it feels so awkward. I am planning to use an injector blade rather than a half DE. I think that will make it a safer and better shave but I have no idea whether than's actually true or not. I guess I just have to take the plunge. Thanks for the video!

[@GregTardif]

Yeah! You just got to go for it. When I use it I still have to go over a few areas with a DE. My chin hates shavettes

[@rauldelarosa2768]

I just bought a few gravity shavettes and I am looking forward to trying them.. Of course easing into it slowly.

[@GregTardif]

Yeah! Take your time, use a de for any cleanup

[@rauldelarosa2768]

@@GregTardif 10-4 sir.. I'm not going to rush learning how to use it... I'm going to watch several more videos on how to shave with a shavette..

[@firatyildirim2288]

If u can find try "ali biyikli" or "sedef" branded shavettes, they are 1 usd in price, got very thin profile any light weight. Made in Turkey, very popular here among barbers.

[@TheShavingDisciple]

I always had the same issue with my shavette. I stuck with it for 30-40 days. I couldn't get comfortable holding it properly and the line of sight issues really didn't work for me. I hope you're able to figure it out.

[@GregTardif]

I tried from a different angle. I think not having glasses on doesnt help either haha

[@TheShavingDisciple]

@@GregTardif Who needs glasses when your hand is covering your eye anyway?

[@MrGentleman37]

I don't understand why I should watch this video before buying a shavette ?!

[@GregTardif]

Did you buy one already?

[@MrGentleman37]

@@GregTardif what difference does it make ?

[@ASMRaphael]

I love your charisma and style so much my dear friend! :)

[@GregTardif]

Hey thanks! Makes up for my unpretty face :D

[@jeffreycrawley1216]

Not sure why this popped up today - haven't used a straight or a shavette since the doctor put me on blood thinners 4 years ago! You've got to learn how to use both hands: right hand for the right cheek and vice versa. You soon get the knack. As for the chin . . . grow a goatee!

[@boostedbliss07MK5]

Loved the keeping it real break down. I’m new to DE but have also tried a shavette 2 times and now a straight razor. You nailed it with a DE is a super easy tool after working with a shavette. The hardest part is seeing around your hands for sure! I see this is 1 yr old. Did u stick with it?

[@GregTardif]

Thanks. I still use it occasionally as well as a kamisori shavette. But I typically don’t have enough growth between shaves to warrant its use (in my opinion)

[@robbieedwards1456]

Would love to see the kamisori shavette for some shaving videos!

[@CatGamingMJL]

Hay just want to tell you very helpful video, I'm looking for a better way for a close shave cause i don't think i look decent with more then a 5 o'clock shadow plus my lady hates hair love's the smooth. Just wondering since this video any more info ? Short on time today but I'll check the rest if your channel later.

[@GregTardif]

@@CatGamingMJL I haven’t really used this much since this. Too scary 🤣

[@CatGamingMJL]

@@GregTardif thank you for responding, wasn't quite sure I would. Being I assume your a busy person with life and all the rest you do. So you use a plan shaver ? As in disposable or an electric shaver ? Cause you did say your use of that razor wasn't exactly fast but again one should take there time, I learned today it's not good to use hot water cause it can damage your skin only warm is recommended so I've learned stuff today at least.

[@pross6525]

Though i have a beard i am in the market for a safety razor or a shavette. Before i grwe my beard i preferred a straight razor. I don't want to shave off my beard but i want a a good way to maintain my beard. Any suggestions?

[@GregTardif]

Shavette or a straight is a good way to define your lines. Beard maintenance scissors are good. But electric hair clippers with swappable or adjustable combs would be quicker and more even

[@pross6525]

@@GregTardif Thank you for the suggestions. They are greatly appreciated

[@danieltomasjr.5871]

Much appreciated kind sir.

[@HamidRoshaan]

I have the same problems with the hand gymnastics I need to do to be able to shave AND see what I'm shaving. I suppose the same things apply to straight razors as well but I'm not spending another 50-200 dollars on something I'm most probably only gonna use once a year.

[@GregTardif]

I 100% agree. I went with the shavette because it’s less expensive entry point to straight razors. I have heard straight razor shaving is “easier” than shavette

[@markboland2545]

Would u spend the money on a straight...thinking about it myself...gotta learn how to hone and strop ....

[@GregTardif]

Maybe, that’s why I started with a shavette. I’m not sure how often you would need to hone. I see most people talking about stroping. They are pricey but are supposedly less hardcore on your face than a shavette

[@smievil]

might have to re-sharpen a straight razor when first bought, even if they say they are shave ready, could get pricey to deal with. don't think there's any reasonable sharpening services in my area. stropping compound and improvised strop could probably be really cheap, but it might not do much if the edge isn't sharp enough.

[@MrGShave]

Hi Greg👋 Using a straight or shavette can be a very rewarding experience. It takes time and perseverance to learn the art of straight razor shaving. I highly recommend you take a look at my playlist "straight razor tutorials" which features a guy called Matti Lindholm who recently did a series of tutorials on the art of straight razor shaving. Using a straight razor at 30⁰ is going to end very badly. The angle you should be looking for should be about the width of the spine x 2 ie far shallower angle than 30⁰. Another point I would make is a shavette is far less forgiving than a traditional straight razor.

[@GregTardif]

Hey there! Thanks for the tips. I’ve been incorporating the shavette in shaves maybe three times a week since posting this and have found (through trial and error and research) “the” angle. It is very cool thing to begin learning. Still building confidence in my chin area but appreciate the tips and I’ll check out the series. Thanks

[@smievil]

"The angle you should be looking for should be about the width of the spine x 2 ie far shallower angle than 30⁰" isn't that mostly for actual straight razors though since sharpening angle depends on height and spine width, i think a more acute sharpening angle might give a more generous shaving angle while obtuse sharpening angles would give a more precise shaving angle. spine width on a shavette might not have much to do with the cutting angle of a de blade. i'm holding my straight razor more like a kamisori and like it can shave well with anything below the "proper" angle and maybe a bit above, maybe too low would make it easier to cut into skin, putting the razor toward the skin in a 90 degree angle seem a bit problematic at times. the "proper" cutthroat grip seem to partially look in the shaving angle, i don't think there would be any issues experimenting with your own grips, maybe shavette is a bit more risky that straight razors though.

[@roygunnargranmo4641]

I've used a shavette twice. The first time i did from the sideburns to just above the jawbone. Flat surface easy for a beginner. I also did between the nose and the upper lip. That was to difficult for my lack of skills. So i cut myself twice in that area. This last time i only did the cheeks downwards. And that was super easy. No cuts. I think this whole psychology of you being scared. Is the wrong attitude. If you're scared you're scared. Difficult not to be. But it would be better if you weren't. I'm not scared.

[@roygunnargranmo4641]

Tired try: Pretty much hate the shavette today. Hands was always in the from looking in the mirror. Couldn't find the angle to get a good portion to cut the beard. Cut myself. Not bad. Worse then I've ever done with a safety razor or cassette razor

[@hellsk100]

3 weeks in i love my shavette

[@GregTardif]

👍👍👍 glad to hear

[@enriquerodriguezjr4466]

I wish disposable cartridge razors are abolish and bring back safety razors to public markets again!

[@GregTardif]

I dunno about all of that. Some people like to keep the chore and not the experience.

[@rauldelarosa2768]

Have you revisited the shavette lately Greg?

[@GregTardif]

I have a kamosori shavette that I've used a few times. I feel like I need to wait a few days longer between shaves to get a better shave

[@rauldelarosa2768]

@@GregTardif I would highly recommend you the feather light blades.. they're phenomenal blades... Great ones that cut good, and are smooth yet with less blade exposure.. Also the IBC razor is phenomenal and would be one I'd recommend.

[@javi.AkA.afeitader]

Cool video! And be proud of yourself! For me is being a fenomenal experience, with some issues obviously, but really good. Like and you have a new subscribe

[@GregTardif]

Thanks for watching. I’m going to keep trying!

[@javi.AkA.afeitader]

@@GregTardif for sure 🤘🏼😝

[@sterlingcampbell2116]

Parker shavette was my very first non-cart razor. Nostalgic AF

[@GregTardif]

Ah! It’s very cool once you get the hang of it. Do you have other shavettes now?

[@sterlingcampbell2116]

@@GregTardif Artist Club SS and a Weck medical. Im thinking about getting another half DE blade shavette (Parker broke years ago).

[@sterlingcampbell2116]

@@GregTardif I also love traditional straights, but they just can't get as sharp as a shavette

[@GregTardif]

Nice! I have an artists club dx on loan. Need to go a few days of not shaving before I try it haha

[@sterlingcampbell2116]

@@GregTardif I really want to try the new SR

[@danielburford1441]

is that a Boston scaly?

[@GregTardif]

No I don’t think so. This one is from Ireland

[@magnoliamike]

That’s it! I’m subscribing! BUT! Promise you’re gonna start buying some more vintage Gillette safety razors! K thanks!

[@Ishvires]

I pushed like button!

[@GregTardif]

Thanks! I pushed the heart button 😃

[@akhilbindal9198]

Good video, misleading Title!

[@GregTardif]

I don’t think so

[@akhilbindal9198]

Definitely yes to that, that's why you put it😂. It was a suggestion, was expecting more on the shavette but did enjoy you sharing your experience with it.

[@GregTardif]

@@akhilbindal9198 sharing my experience was the point. It was my first couple times shaving with it. Some people should know the experience someone else had when they first tried something

[@CupidFromKentucky]

Hard to watch with the background music

[@GregTardif]

Ok

[@Minime163]

Take off your cap and maybe you'll see a bit better😂😂😂

[@GregTardif]

Lol

[@ahmedwael7803]

Shavette

[@chrislj2890]

What the hell happened to my comment?

[@GregTardif]

Was going to ask you the same thing?!?

[@chrislj2890]

@@GregTardif I dunno, maybe it got pulled because I put that link to PAA. Oh well, eliminating my words of wisdom is simply a loss for mankind, lol.

[@GregTardif]

Think it was taken down by KZbin because there was a link in it?

[@GregTardif]

CHRIS LJ Not for me, not now or ever. I don't even go fast with a Norelco electric, lol. And if I want to use half a blade I have the Twig. Hey, I liked that PAA Flight DOC Travel Razor so much that I ordered their Ascension Twist DOC Aluminum razor and it's great. It's so light it's like shaving with air, so some people wouldn't care for that. I suggest keeping a tourniquet at hand to slip around your neck just in case you get a major bleeder with that assassin's tool. 😉

[@chrislj2890]

@@GregTardif Hey, nice save Greg.