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. ;)