Thread: New in town

Another newbie post! Woohoo!
I've been using a Feather Artist Club RG Special (for about 2 months) and I must say that every time I shave with this razor I come out looking like I got in a fight with a cat. I have some good days though, and have minimal cuts. My neck is the problem area especially going ATG so I tend to still use my Fusion for the neck ATG pass. As for WTG I am getting the hang of it more.
I keep reading that people say the Feather is ridiculously sharp. So with that in mind I have decided to either purchase a 4/8 or 5/8 but I'm up in the air as to which one. Chances are I will go with a Dovo and a matching Dovo strop from Classic Shaving.

I've been using a brush and a puck for about a year with a Mach3 and Fusion so I'm ok, I guess but I just recently got into using pre-shave creme. I got a sample of some for Christmas with a new mug, soap and boars hair brush. It's most certainly nice. I tend to apply the creme and then let it sit while I make the lather then apply the lather over the creme. Rinse and repeat for the ATG shave.

If there is any other advice you would like to offer this n00b it will be greated with a warm welcome.

i'm not sure the problem is sharpness, but i've never had feather.

advice - get it honed, it may be an option when you buy it, or it may be already done. i mean post-factory honing.

Definitely make sure a new razor gets honed properly, you'll be thankful.

Shaving with a real straight will most likely be a bit different than with the disposable feathers. Hopefully it'll be a bit smoother. My advice is to not worry about either the XTG or ATG if you're going to go the real straight route, as you should master the WTG first.

But it sounds like you've already got the hang of beard prep and such, so it should be a nice smooth transition for you.

Welcome to the world of "real" straight razors.

I have never used a feather though my understanding is that you have to use very very little pressure because of the sharpness. I have even heard the term "negative pressure" used to describe how to shave with a feather.

As for your first str8, it's really a personal preference thing but I would go with a 5/8 or 6/8, I think they will give you a better feel for str8 shaving and later you can go smaller or bigger if you want.

The 4 most important things to a good str8 shave are: Sharp blade, proper strop, beard prep, and technique. It sounds like you have part of that covered.

All in all though, welcome!

Thank you all for the replies!

Update:
I just purchased a presharpened DOVO Mircata SS 5/8, DOVO Russian Leather Extra Wide strop, DOVO yellow paste and, of course, Proraso creme.

Should I oil the blade after every use? I thought for some reason I read somewhere that people still oil these.
From what I have read the presharpened blade should be shave ready and if not a strop should be fine. Right?
I got the yellow paste for "everyday stroping". I assume to use this with everyday stroping? lol How often do I apply the paste and where? Apply it to the razor or the strop before stroping?

as far as whether it was honed post factory ask the vendor (sounds like it's classicshaving).

whether oiling between shaves depends on the humidity where you live. i'd say it's not necessary esp. considering that your razor is stainless

you don't need to use the yellow paste, it's strop conditioning. the dovo strop should be plenty supple as it is. if you don't like the draw the paste can make it heavier. you apply very little and let it get absorbed overnight, then you can repeat if you want.
or you can rub your palm whenever you pass by it - the oil from it works very well too.

I did get it from Classic Shaving. Should I be worried the razor is not honed?
As for humidity, I live in Colorado. Dry climate.

i don't know, i think at one point they meant something else by presharpened. it's not hard to contact them though, just send them email or call.

Thanks for the heads up!
I called Classic Shaving and the lady said when the razor is marked as "presharpened" indicates they take the razor out of the box and and send it to be honed and sharpened. Once they inspect the razor they put it back into inventory for sale as "presharpened" and consider it shave ready.

Yeah, that's actually Lynn who sharpens their razors for them so you should be good to go. Stropping isn't intended to actually sharpen a dull edge, just align it for good shaving.

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