Thread: Only Used Feather DX Until Now, Switching to Straight - but What Size?

Hi!
The Feather's at least succeeded in shearing off the porcupine quills that sprout in multitudes from my face, but it's still too tough to get a BBS without nicks and irritation, so I want something more forgiving. I guess a standard straight razor is the right route then. But because I do like to keep a mustache, goatee and sideburns, even the Feather DX is a bit unwieldy. If/when I buy a straight razor, if I buy one of the wee ones, will it be serviceable for both detail shaving as well as "regular," broad shaving? That is, it won't be too difficult to control, won't nick any more than usual, etc? I don't mind if the only difference is that it takes longer to get all shaved - I just want to be sure that it will work just as well as a larger one, as well as being more forgiving (and smaller in length) than my Feather DX.

Thank you!

You will have a 3 inch blade with a straight.It will probably take getting used to. It will be more forgiving though.

Welll... not sure exactly what you are referring to when you say wee ones. Are you talking about the length or the blade width?
If you have a very coarse beard, then I would recommend a 1/4 hollow to 1/2 hollow grind blade in a 6/8 blade width. You may want a Spanish point or a French point to assist in shaving around your beard and mustache. A Spike point is ideal for shaving around your beard and mustache but requires a bit more care during your shave.
Hope this is helpful.

Thanks for the tips!

By wee straights, I meant, yes, in length. So I can trim at my mustache without the other edge nicking my cheek, you know?

I'll try to read up on what those different points are like, but I don't recall from having looked at straights for sale that any particular kind of point was ever mentioned at all. Any more info/guidance on that part?

Thanks.

Well, I came from the Feather razor to traditional straights though I don't have to shave porcupine quills.

Considering where you are coming from, I'd suggest a square point or possibly a French point blade but NOT a spike point. I would think a 5/8" to 6/8" would feel comparable to the Feather but won't have the mass and it will have a longer edge that you will need to get used to. A 1/2 or 1/4 hollow would probably be appreciated by yourself, less flex and ultimately less irritation but even a full hollow would be fine unless we're talking those paper thin 6/8" Bokers. Personally, I've grown very fond of the square points (the same as a Spike but with the tip rounded slightly). You might be a candidate for a spike with all the trimming you do but it depends more on your facial features... I have too many nooks and crannies on this ol' noggin where I need to almost dig in with the tip of my square point that a spike would become a liability.

Don't think you'll buy your last razor first... no matter how carefully you think things through, you'll find that maybe something just slightly different works better in the end.

Regards

Christian