Review (5/5): Overlooked and underrated. Turkish razors have been a barbers staple since disposable blades
Nearly every barber straight razor hot shave Ive had (before the ban on reusable blades), Sedef made an appearance for certain tasks. This should tell you something. I have no trust in reviews that obviously have no knowledge of the product type or experience with said "thing" prior to purchase. I have my great grandfather's straight razor. I can hone for shaving or woodcarving. I have lathered and shaved with a dozen knives. A few old timers may remember some of the DE blades in my picture, some are NA NOS and older than half the readers here, all are part of my rotation and stash. have used a half dozen straight edges. I have used all the general styles of shavette. I have EIGHT razors of this turkish style. Two sedef and six Ali Biyikli (identical except for name in same location, they may come from same factory for english and turkish markets for all I know). Why so many? Because they are cheap, thin for travel, the easiest to index your angles; be that your blade angle in a pinch grip, or just feeling where the blade is by the straight shank. The turkish is my favorite. It may look cheap, it may be cheap, but it is a great shave and due to its thin flat design, they get into tight spots more easily than any other shavette or straight razor. Do you get the picture that I did not just unbox my first shavette and try it a few times?
Loading blades is super easy, and if someone says dangerous, they must be using the wrong methods to get blades in or out. These are meant for half DE blades, which can also be found already halved, as shavettes have been standardized for a long time. This review is long enough, you can find a video on how to if you cant figure it out without putting your fingers somewhere dangerous (this includes premeditating a slip and the resulting unintended motions to follow, much like carving or cutting).
I have found sedef not only better in feel, as flat straight and thin is very easy to index. But it also very versatile. I have managed to run all kinds of blades. Some require modification to the blade; some to the razor holder... This i WILL explain but the pictures really should be self explanatory if you know what you are doing. I have never received one with a loose hinge, as they have a rubbery plastic spacer for friction. However i have had some loosen up over the years. But had no problem peening it with a light tap, or with vise grips and a light pinch. However with propper use, a loose handle is a non issue since it is always held in its position by your hand positioning. I no longer tighen a worn out one, as it makes it easy to switch positions and corresponding grip one handed. Much like a butterfly/ balisong. If you have used one, you know that you NEVER grab or use it by the handle (shavette or straight). You hold the tang only, and the handle is simply a blade cover you cannot lose because its attached. When they get loose, i leave it that way for ease of one handed use, and simply lock it closed for travel by slipping an O-ring over the smaller end. This is mostly so it doesnt open in a roughly treated bag and lever the plastic handle in a way that will break it.
INJECTOR BLADES- the friction fit will hold it while shaving. However it does not fully seat, making it (actually) dangerous to load and adjust exposure. It will have no exposure and be stuck inside holder if you try to seat it fully. The solution is a shim to raise exposure height. I dedicated one razor to injectors. It has a metal shim. My primary is a stainless piece, but you may have troue finding the right size... So put a used (injector) blade in a vise leaving an even reveal and file or dremmel the exposed part away. Now you have a shim. I am away from home writing this but made a quickie from wood that shows better on camera anyway. Hence the small travel kit in pic (sedef, blades, diy folding brush, alum and tabac in a chapstick tube fits in a sunglasses case. If the picture does not make it obviously clear what to shim my words may be no help. Those who get it, may see why I like these. Injector blades are great if you have thick wire hairs or want better longevity.
I also run Personna "hair shaper blades" (the 2.5" type shown) the other hair shaper types can be used too but may require a shim as described above. All you need for this style is how to safely de-spine a single edge blade,as picture shows half removed. My method is not shown on youtube but should be, as i have found safer easier ways than the end nippers.. But point being that its quite simple, and then you simply install the blade. This makes it identical to a vintage WECK razor. The longer stiffer blade makes it handle and shave the closest to a straight razor out of any style of shavette I have used. The blades cost more (as do injectors, but I have plenty of usable vintage) however they shave better (especially if you have thick beard or very tough hairs) and tend to last more shaves. However if you do this BEWARE, when you close it, the blade will protrude from handle. Remove the blade for travel or of you leave it somewhere pets may bump it. If you have kids, surely you shouldnt leave it where it can be reached, whatever blades you run.
I even run Gem (de-spined) blades and a similar style thats a bit thicker, no spine and a square hole. Point being; these things are incredibly versatile.
Six dollars is avg for a 2 pack, but a great deal given their versatility and ease of use with little learning curve. A straight shank really helps. Scales are thin for travel, and if you drop it and it breaks, consider it a Kamisori now and get another set. Its not like theyre expensive. But dont judge by its price!
However, if this is your first turkish, I suggest getting used to it with half DE blades as intended.