Thread: Feather SS Straight Razor

So I finally pulled the trigger on a Feather SS Straight. No folding scales. After much deliberation and research, I felt the AC feather ss was right for me to get started. Just felt overwhelmed with all the traditional straight razor nuances. Razor brands, various grinds, stropping belts (paddle vs hanging),stropping technique, chromium oxide, honing etc. Perhaps too much research led to my hesitancy - I don't know...

Anyway, I picked up a ceramic Campbells soup bowl with handle from Goodwill for .99 for my scuttle bowl. It ain't pretty, but i think It'll get the job done quite well. We'll see...Also got a semogue 1250 on order for my brush. All I need is soap, and I'm thinking of getting some sterling soap as they get rather good reviews. Got it all done for about $100.00.

Looking forward to my first shave.

I hope all will go well for you in this new adventure. You will find that 99.99% of EVERYTHING about shaving with a straight razor is PERSONAL PREFERENCES!

Nothing wrong with using a Feather, there are many here that use them along with the DE's and SE's. I've never used a shavette razor I have friends who have and they find them satisfactory.

Enjoy the ride, it's a long strange trip but it's well worth the trip!

I use a Feather when traveling for the convenience. In some ways I like it better then my straights although I won't be giving them up anytime soon. Best of luck, enjoy

Feather razors are great, unless you've never used anything but traditional straights, in which case you will be caught off guard by the sharpness.

Feathers require a very light touch, but they shave like a dream when you do it right. Lean on it, and you'll soon regret it.

Super Pro blades are less sharp than the Super blades, but they last longer and are still waaay sharper than any traditional straight I have tried. I did not like the wire guarded blades at all.

Enjoy!

Regards

Christian

I have been using one of these this month and have been getting very nice shaves. It took a little practice but I am starting to like it.

Welcome to the Forum!!
There are, as I'm sure you have found, some great threads on the Feathe in the forum.

It's a great system, what I use when I'm away from home on longer/repeat trips.
And we can't emphasize enough- keep the pressure low...
When many of us can get 15-20 shaves out of a blade, and the best shaves come after #3 you get some idea of how sharp these things are.

Thanks everyone. I've read many threads about the sharpness of the blades. I purchased the professional blades. Is there anything special you do to get 15-20 shaves from a single blade? The system looks easy enough to clean. However, I do realize the caution that needs to be exercised when disassembling the razor. Is this necessary every time you are done shaving?

Thanks,
Jeff

Originally Posted by relli1130

Thanks everyone. I've read many threads about the sharpness of the blades. I purchased the professional blades. Is there anything special you do to get 15-20 shaves from a single blade? The system looks easy enough to clean. However, I do realize the caution that needs to be exercised when disassembling the razor. Is this necessary every time you are done shaving?

Thanks,
Jeff

I have been changing my blade once a week and not disassembling it between shaves. Just a rinse and a wipe with a towel.

Good purchase! I use both of my SS regularly. You can't beat the shave combined with ease of maintenance. Go slow an very very light touch. Given some time the shaves will be fantastic.

Originally Posted by relli1130

Thanks everyone. I've read many threads about the sharpness of the blades. I purchased the professional blades. Is there anything special you do to get 15-20 shaves from a single blade? The system looks easy enough to clean. However, I do realize the caution that needs to be exercised when disassembling the razor. Is this necessary every time you are done shaving?

Thanks,
Jeff

What most of us have found is that the longer you use the Feather system the longer the blades last between changes.
Like the DE, a lot depends on the user/blade/YMMV thing, just takes some time.

Since I have been running 16-20 shaves per blade (that took months to get to) when I change the blade I disassemble the razor and clean the inside with an old toothbrush. There is always some crud in there and eventually it could gum up the spring action. The less you handle that blade the better off everyone is going to be. I only take it out to pitch it (carefully, like you would a DE)

When the Feather was my regular at home shave I had this apothecary jar (like one of those clear glass square things with candy or cotton balls, bought it at a Goodwill store for $1) It had a gasket lid and i filled it with 91% rubbing alcohol. I would rinse the razor with hot running water then dunk it (carefully...) in to the alcohol for a few seconds, remove it and tap the spine on the counter. I store the DX folding in a plastic two piece tooth brush case. Get the smallest jar you can work with as you need to change the alcohol once a week.

If you have the SS non-folding you will need some way to protect the blade (and you) between uses.
There is a plastic snap on guard that works well, make sure you get the SS model for the SS, the RG/DX will eventually break...These will save blades, stitches and anything that comes in to random contact with one of those un-protected blades...

Feather razors are allergic to bleach by the way, its like Kryptonite to them...

Smooth Shaving...