Thread: Seeking Tips From Experienced Feather AC Users

well I took the plunge. After converting to double-edge razors about a year ago, I decided I wanted to dedicate myself to learning straight razor technique over '09. Bought a Feather AC (the cheapest one w/ plastic handle) and a Dovo 5/8" presharpened by Lynn with a strop and just got them today.

Arbitrarily, I tried the Feather AC razor first. I wasn't unexpectant of a bloodbath, and for the most part it was.

I'm right handed, and primarily held the razor with thumb below towards blade, index finger and middle finger bisecting the handle hinge and the handle moved around depending on where I was shaving and if it was obstructing my vision.

The left side of my face (what I see to the left in the mirror, the left of one's own face and what an observer would see to the right of my head) down to the jawline, discounting the upper lip and chin, was easy as pie. Stretch tight and I couldn't even feel the blade, or hear it for that matter. I'm familiar with the Feather disposable double-edges but this was even in another league from those fine cutters. Closest, smoothest, and most comfortable results on my first try.

The upper lip, chin, jawline, right side of my face (right in the mirror), and neck were all terribly difficult. Dare to even touch your face with the blade with the wrong incidence angle and it delivers a cut. I'm not discouraged, but I hope members here (preferrably w/ some experience w/ the Feather AC) can give me help.


First of all, does one use their right hand to shave the right side of their face? I found that made seeing what was going on extremely hard. I also found using the heel to align the right side of my face along my ear (with my right hand) hard. Are users here commonly razor-ambidextrous?

2nd, what's the proper incidence angle with the Feather AC? The spine of the blade holder's 7mm thick and from spine to tip of blade's 18mm; were I to keep the blade 2 spine widths off the face that would far, far exceed 30 degrees (more like 45). The Dovo I bought is <5mm at spine, and the same 18mm from spine to edge. Here's 2 terrible images to help visualize the Feather AC










Are you supposed to keep the spine flush?

3rd, do you cross from face to jawline to neck, or remove razor and reapproach those places?

4th, how do you get under your nose while keeping the spine close to the face? Doesn't the width (or height in this case) of the razor make this practically impossible?

And lastly, how do you get a taut and flat surface around one's chin?

A Happy New Year to all!

Hello kwigibocity!

I don't have a ton of experience with the feather razors, but here's my two cents.

1. WTG I use right hand for right side and left hand for left side. ATG I switch, right hand for left side and left hand for right side.

2. When I used the feathers I tried to keep the spine almost touching my face, as shallow an angle as I could; and of course, use a light touch. Feathers really don't need a steep angle to cut.

3. Now I pass right from cheek to chin in one go, but when I was new it was better for me to go cheek to jawline, stop, then pull the skin down so I could continue from jawline to neck without missing anything.

4. You might try using a slightly sideways motion, coming down from beside the nose, towards the mouth for WTG, and XTG/ATG should pose no problems as the nose shouldn't be in the way.

The chin area takes a lot of practice, but try pulling the skin up or down to and using short light strokes.

Hope this helps! Happy shaving!

no experience with a feather(str8 user only) but for my chin i put my lower lip over my bottom teeth and tilt my head back that's the best way i have found for me but everyones face is differant make sure you are aware of your blade angle at all times and divide your chin into small sections hope this helps

I have been using a feather ac for about 2 years now. It gives a great shave. I will say that occasionally you do get some bad blades but over all most of them are great. I have decided to go to a regular straight razor without the disposable blades mostly because of the problems with your 4th and 5th problems listed: the nose and the chin. I am going to keep the feather razor because I enjoy using it and just ordered some more blades.

1. I can do my whole face right handed pretty much with no problem. Usually I use both hands. It takes a while to get used to but it does seem easier.
2. Keep your spine almost flush. Just maybe a 1/4 in higher than the spine at most.
3. I cross from the jawline to the neck in one move.
4 and 5. You have got to pull your nose out of the way. It is very uncomfortable and very hard right under the nose. Your chin is also hard. You have to kind of pull it taunt with your hand just a hair and you will get it. I do cheat occasionally. If my wife's not close, I use her Mach III under my nose and on my chin because sometimes I just can't get it. By the way, my wife does not have a mustache. She says it works better than a Venus on her legs.


Just give it a little time and you will get good at it. I occasionally use the feather razor to shave my head and it is not hard now. If there is any way that I can help you please let me know.

Aaron

Disposable straight blades? Thats disgusting!

Wow abhslh, 2 hands on the blade?!? That's amazing; I can't imagine how I'd feel the skin was taut enough without the help of a tiny cloth and the 2nd hand pushing/stretching things.

Wouldn't the strop perform the same functions on the Feather blade as a normal straight?

I'll likely give the Dovo 5/8" a go tomorrow to get a baseline for how the two function. Immediately, I can tell I should've spent the extra ~$100 for the all-metal Feather; the handle of the base model is far lighter than I'd prefer, not giving any cantilever aid to maintaining the lightest possible touch.

Originally Posted by Lordkappa

Hello kwigibocity!


2. When I used the feathers I tried to keep the spine almost touching my face, as shallow an angle as I could; and of course, use a light touch. Feathers really don't need a steep angle to cut.

Oh gosh sakes yes, I agree with this. I think disaster when I think of the Feather AC "spine" being lifted that far off the face. They're intended to be used with the blade housing essentially flat on your face. Also, the name "Feather" is very apropos; The lightest touch you can possibly muster. Like a......feather.

I've only used a Feather AC recently and only after becoming adept at shaving with a straight daily. After using a Feather AC, I have reduced the blade angle of my straight razor shaves quite a lot. Down to about one spine width above the face on the extra hollow ground razor I've been using daily for months now. Love it. I guess the instructions I've seen that accompany some of the vintage razors and direct the user to shave with the blade "flat against the face" weren't daft after all.

Chris L

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Disposable straight blades? Thats disgusting!

2 funny

Originally Posted by kwigibocity

First of all, does one use their right hand to shave the right side of their face? I found that made seeing what was going on extremely hard. I also found using the heel to align the right side of my face along my ear (with my right hand) hard. Are users here commonly razor-ambidextrous?

Many of us have worked our way up to being close to ambidextrous but perhaps not perfectly so.... With a Feather AC which I started out with, I was able to do the entire shave with my right hand only.

Originally Posted by kwigibocity

2nd, what's the proper incidence angle with the Feather AC? The spine of the blade holder's 7mm thick and from spine to tip of blade's 18mm; were I to keep the blade 2 spine widths off the face that would far, far exceed 30 degrees (more like 45). The Dovo I bought is <5mm at spine, and the same 18mm from spine to edge. Here's 2 terrible images to help visualize the Feather AC

The answer depends in part on the blade you are using, Pro blade=keep the spine as close to the skin as you can while getting a close shave. Pro-Super=keep the spine close to your skin but with experience you'll find you can move the spine further away from the skin more to suit your beard, but within reason of course.

Originally Posted by kwigibocity

Are you supposed to keep the spine flush?

Not flush, just close enough to avoid scraping unless you need to scrape in an area. Advanced straight shavers will soemtimes use a higher angle scraping motion to deal with difficult areas but these things come with practice, experience and skill..... Learn to accept less than perfect to start and slowly work your way towards perfection.

Originally Posted by kwigibocity

3rd, do you cross from face to jawline to neck, or remove razor and reapproach those places?

Short, light yet confident strokes are the only way to go... I chip my way around the jawline, changing the angle ever so slightly with each stroke.

Originally Posted by kwigibocity

4th, how do you get under your nose while keeping the spine close to the face? Doesn't the width (or height in this case) of the razor make this practically impossible?

I selfishly wear a mustache to avoid this issue....

Originally Posted by kwigibocity

And lastly, how do you get a taut and flat surface around one's chin?

I don't! I found the Feather AC to be so sharp that I could safely slack skin shave with nary any stretching at all. With traditional straights, I do have to do some slight stretching in a couple of areas but for the most part I still simply shave with no stretching at all. Excessive stretching will lead to razor burn and worse.....

The Feather is a finicky beast... it can shave incredibly well, but only if wielded by an experienced shaver. It's not the best way to learn, even though that is what I did. I found in the end that my skin could not stand up to daily shaving with the Feather, my skin became thin and fragile.... nicks became all too common. Now that I've switched to Trad straights, the thin skin has gone away and I can shave in total comfort (though I do have to settle for more of that tugging sensation than with a Feather or a DE).

Regards

Christian

I use a Feather AC when traveling and ocassionally at home. I use both hands, and as recommended above, you've to use a very light touch.

Here's a vid of rustyblades using a straight Feather that may answer some of your questions

Shaving w/ a Feather razor