Thread: Will a real straight be less harsh than my feather ac?

Man, those Feather blades are downright unforgiving. Firstly, if you aren't following the wtg pass with xtg passes you are getting set up for problems and the atg can be difficult at best. You may want to try using Feather Guard blades to wet your feet. I normally use a standard str8 now, but there are days when I want to take it real easy on my face, so I will just use a Feather Guard blade and do wtg, and xtg passes.
I have learned that I only want to shave when I have lots of time, and no distractions. I even turn off the radio because I want to concentrate on what I am doing.
Good luck, and best regards, Ken.

I amy have to pick up some guards. The pros are mean.

Originally Posted by zenshaver

I have corked the blade and am using pros. Today my face is sore and blotchy.

IMHO as a now semi feather user (tried to retire it, but its handy sometimes) corking the blade does not help. I had terrible shaves with mine to start with and the day I corked the blade, I was almost crying like a little baby, and I tried several blades thinking I had stuffed things up. I decided to stick at it and my shaves greatly improved.

The key thing is pressure, that is use no pressure at all, none, zip, zilch, zero. Pressure is the enemy. You need very little angle with a feather also, like have the spine 1mm off your skin and thats plenty.

OTOH, since you are only starting out, you may want to get a real straight first. Personally, I had a difficult time transitioning from feather to traditional straight, because it felt like no blade was as sharp. Once I got accustomed a traditional straight is more fun, but when in a hurry feathers really are reliable.
I recommend trying a traditional straight first, then when you get better, try the feather. But by that time, a feather won't interest you anymore.

I just got a dovo special yesterday but it needs a honing. I think. It is sharp as is but what do I know.

I just recognized myself in your story!

Knowing that we should no pressure, and knowing the angle is the problem is one thing; correct it is another one. I knew it before I even bought it, but it's really difficult. Maybe I have two left hands, I don't know!

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

IMHO as a now semi feather user (tried to retire it, but its handy sometimes) corking the blade does not help. I had terrible shaves with mine to start with and the day I corked the blade, I was almost crying like a little baby, and I tried several blades thinking I had stuffed things up. I decided to stick at it and my shaves greatly improved.

The key thing is pressure, that is use no pressure at all, none, zip, zilch, zero. Pressure is the enemy. You need very little angle with a feather also, like have the spine 1mm off your skin and thats plenty.

OTOH, since you are only starting out, you may want to get a real straight first. Personally, I had a difficult time transitioning from feather to traditional straight, because it felt like no blade was as sharp. Once I got accustomed a traditional straight is more fun, but when in a hurry feathers really are reliable.
I recommend trying a traditional straight first, then when you get better, try the feather. But by that time, a feather won't interest you anymore.

+1 Yeah, what Old_School said. I alternate between my regular str8s, my feather, and a DE.

I actually find that the Pro Super blades are best for me but this is a YMMV thing. NO pressure, NO pressure, NO pressure on the blade.

Originally Posted by chtinavion

I just recognized myself in your story!

Knowing that we should no pressure, and knowing the angle is the problem is one thing; correct it is another one. I knew it before I even bought it, but it's really difficult. Maybe I have two left hands, I don't know!

This new style of shaving is not easy. It is completely different from a DE.

Well, I am on my 6th shave now and either the blade is getting dull or my technique is getting better. I tried a shaving gel last night and I actually got no razor burn. I may just have to use that from now on with the feather. I will have to try it with a new blade.

I've got one of the non-folding Feathers as well. It makes for a nice change of pace, but the shave will stubble out sooner than one of my regular str8s. If you can get a decent shave with a Feather, you can get a great shave with a properly keen regular str8. The main difference is the lack of feedback on the Feather. A regular blade will be easier to get the angle/pressure just right w/o blood. Just my ¢2 worth.

Wayne

Originally Posted by zenshaver

Well, I am on my 6th shave now and either the blade is getting dull or my technique is getting better. I tried a shaving gel last night and I actually got no razor burn. I may just have to use that from now on with the feather. I will have to try it with a new blade.

Just a couple of points, in the land of the Feather, the Pro blade and Pro Guard blade are the same, with the latter simply having the wire guard over the edge. The Pro Super is an entirely different beast, it's edge geometry is different which results in more comfortable shaves when you get the hang of how they shave.

Life span for a Pro blade, guarded or not is about 1 weeks worth of shaving, for me that meant 5-6 shaves and then it falls apart. For the first three shaves it's wickedly sharp and unforgiving of sloppy technique, there is NO margin for errors.

Life span of the Pro Super blades is double that of the Pro and for me it was 2 solid weeks of shaving per blade. The first two shaves demanded close attention to technique and then it sort of mellows out until by the end of 2 weeks when it starts to pull like a traditional straight. The triple bevel on the Pro Super can give you incredible control once you get the feel for it, you can shave right over top of yesterdays nick by just dropping the spine slightly closer to your face as you skim over it and it feels like you shaved close as always but you don't catch on the nick. I highly recommend the Pro Super blades for the Feather AC.

The harshness of the Feather is most often caused by improper technique, either too much pressure or too steep an angle or stretching the skin too much. I can slackskin shave with my Feather, no stretching at all other than just tilting the head, this way and that... I'm in my 50s so there's a bit of loose skin around! For the record, I cannot slackskin shave with my traditional straights, they demand some very slight stretching. The Feather, once mastered can give incredibly comfortable shaves, but you *must* master it and that does not come as easy as it does for traditional straights.

As for shaving prep, this is all important and I'd suggest a quality cream rather than soap as you learn the ropes with the Feather... Good creams tend to have a bit more cushion and makes shaving with such sharp blades a bit more manageable, soaps can be close cutting with less cushion but more glide. Taylor of Old Bond Street has a nice selection of scents, they are rather inexpensive and when lathered up properly (lather should be more like a Mime's face paint rather than a fluffy meringue). Other brands are equally efficient but I thought I'd mention one of the lower cost products with a wide range of flavors.

Regards

Christian