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!