Collection: Straight Razors

Straight razors and shavettes represent the original approach to wet shaving, offering unmatched control and the potential for an exceptionally close shave. While both use an exposed blade held against the skin at a shallow angle, they differ fundamentally in blade design and maintenance requirements.

Traditional straight razors, also known as cut throat razors, feature a fixed blade permanently attached to the handle scales. These blades are ground from either carbon steel (which takes and holds a keener edge) or stainless steel (which resists corrosion and requires less maintenance). The blade width, measured in eighths of an inch, typically ranges from 4/8" for precision work to 6/8" for efficient coverage on larger areas. Grind type affects blade flexibility: full hollow ground blades flex slightly during the stroke, while wedge ground blades remain rigid.

Shavettes use replaceable blades, eliminating the need for stropping and honing. They accept either standard double edge blades snapped in half or purpose-made single edge blades such as the Feather Artist Club range. Professional barbers favour shavettes for hygiene reasons, as a fresh blade can be used for each client.

Our collection features straight razors and shavettes from manufacturers renowned for quality and craftsmanship. DOVO of Solingen, Germany produces an extensive range of traditional straight razors in carbon steel and stainless steel, with handle materials including ebony, olivewood, pakkawood and mother of pearl imitation. Their shavettes offer the same German engineering with the convenience of replaceable blades.

Feather of Japan brings precision engineering to the shavette format with their Artist Club system. The folding and non-folding handles accept a range of blade types, from the mild Pro Light for sensitive skin to the aggressive Pro Super for coarse beards. The stainless steel construction allows for autoclave sterilisation in professional settings.

Giesen & Forsthoff, also from Solingen, produces the Timor range of straight razors alongside their barber-focused shavettes. Parker offers accessible entry points to straight razor shaving with their stainless steel shavettes, designed to accept half of a standard double edge blade.

Traditional straight razors require regular maintenance to perform at their best. A leather strop realigns the blade edge before each shave, while honing stones restore the edge when stropping alone proves insufficient. Proper storage in a protective case prevents damage to the blade edge between uses.

Shavette users need only keep a supply of replacement blades on hand. DOVO shavettes accept standard double edge blades split in half, while Feather Artist Club razors require purpose-made blades available in several configurations for different skin types and beard densities.

A straight razor has a permanently fixed blade that requires stropping before each shave and periodic honing to maintain its edge. The blade is ground from carbon steel or stainless steel and, with proper care, can last for generations. A shavette uses disposable blades that are replaced rather than sharpened, eliminating the need for stropping equipment and blade maintenance skills. Shavettes are popular with professional barbers for hygiene reasons and with beginners who want to experience open-blade shaving without the initial investment in maintenance equipment.

Cut throat razor is simply another term for a straight razor, used predominantly in British English. The name refers to the exposed blade design. Both terms describe the same type of razor: a folding razor with a fixed blade attached to a handle by a pivot pin. The blade folds into the handle (known as scales) when not in use.

Straight razors and safety razors offer different advantages rather than one being objectively better. A straight razor provides complete control over blade angle and pressure, potentially achieving a closer shave with fewer passes. However, they require more skill to use safely and effectively, plus ongoing maintenance. Safety razors are easier to learn, faster to use, and require no blade maintenance beyond replacement. Many wet shavers own both types and choose based on available time and the shaving experience they want on a particular day.

For beginners interested in traditional straight razors, a 5/8" blade width offers a good balance between manoeuvrability and coverage. Full hollow ground blades provide feedback through slight flex during the stroke. The DOVO Best Quality 5/8" is specifically designed as an entry point with its robust construction and accessible price. Those who prefer to avoid the learning curve of blade maintenance may find a shavette more practical. The Parker SRB/33R or DOVO Black and Silver Shavette offer the straight razor experience with disposable blades.

Blade width is measured in eighths of an inch. A 5/8" blade suits most faces and beard types, offering good manoeuvrability around the nose and chin while covering adequate area per stroke. Smaller 4/8" blades excel at detail work and suit those with smaller facial features. Larger 6/8" blades cover more area per stroke, making them efficient for those with strong beard growth or larger faces. The blade width also affects the razor's balance and handling characteristics.

Carbon steel takes a sharper edge and is preferred by many traditional wet shavers for its superior cutting performance. However, it requires diligent drying after each use and benefits from a light coating of oil during storage to prevent rust. Stainless steel resists corrosion and forgives occasional lapses in drying, making it more practical for humid bathroom environments. The trade-off is that stainless steel is harder to hone and may not achieve quite the same edge keenness. DOVO's INOX range uses stainless steel, while most of their traditional models use carbon steel.

Feather Artist Club razors use proprietary single edge blades designed specifically for these handles. The range includes Pro Light blades for sensitive skin with minimal blade exposure, Professional blades for everyday use, Pro Super blades with greater exposure for coarse beards, and guarded options (Pro Guard and Soft Guard) for additional safety. These blades are not interchangeable with standard double edge blades. The one-touch loading mechanism allows quick, hygienic blade changes.

No. Shavettes use disposable blades that are replaced when they become dull rather than sharpened. This is one of their primary advantages over traditional straight razors. Simply discard the used blade and insert a fresh one. DOVO and Parker shavettes typically accept half of a standard double edge blade, while Feather Artist Club razors use their proprietary blade system.

Strop your straight razor immediately before each shave. Stropping realigns the microscopic edge of the blade, which bends slightly during use and storage. Twenty to forty passes on the leather side of the strop, maintaining consistent angle and pressure, prepares the blade for optimal performance. Some shavers also make a few passes on a fabric or canvas strop first to remove any oxidation or residue.

Yes. Straight razors and shavettes are legal to own and use in the United Kingdom. They are classified as grooming tools rather than weapons when carried for their intended purpose. Professional barbers routinely use shavettes in their work. However, carrying any bladed article in public without good reason may constitute an offence, so transport straight razors in appropriate cases within your luggage rather than on your person.