Help with a Feather "No-Sharpen" Straight Razor

[mbleck636]

My parents gave me a Feather razor for Easter, I've contacted classicshaving.com and they've given me instructions on how to use it. They were very helpful and made it sound easy, but the razor looks intimidating. Has anyone dealt with them or used a feather?

[mparker762]

Yes, quite a few of us have them. All open-blade razors look intimidating, but it helps to remember that men were shaving with them for thousands of years before the safety razor was invented; if they could master the open razor then so can you.

What specific questions do you have?

[Agoge1]

If this is your first time using a straight razor I would recomend going slowly... the speed comes with time.

I learnt using the Feather AC so it can be done! (and I have the manual dexterity of a diseased sloth )

What blades are you using in the feather?

Regards
Tristan

[FiReSTaRT]

Just make sure you use no pressure. It should just glide over your skin and wipe the hair off your face. Mind the blade angle (about 30 degrees) and go slowly.

[custommartini]

Joshearl just started is shaving with a feather in recent days. you might want to get in contact with him and maybe go into flashchat so you can IM your questions and stuff...just a thought. I've found Josh to be friendly and helpful.


hope that helps

[JoshEarl]

Did I hear my name?

I'm available to answer your questions, either via PM or here on the forum.

I really like my Feather, as it's helped me get through some problems I've been struggling with for a long time.

Most of the same rules that apply to traditional straights also apply to the Feather. Of course, there's no honing or stropping to worry about.

The no pressure thing is absolutely true, though. The blade is a bit heavier than a typical straight, so you almost need to hold its weight off your skin. One thing that helped me was imagining that I was tickling my face with a feather.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you'll probably want to use shallower angles, i.e., keep the spine of the blade closer to your face. With a regular straight, a good guideline is to keep the blade angled two spine widths from your face. With the Feather, you should probably start off with the blade almost flat against your face and work from there. Too steep of an angle and it'll give you a nice case of razor burn in a hurry.

Let us know what specific questions you have.

Good luck,
Josh

[custommartini]

Did I hear my name?

Josh

Yes you did. wow you found that fast...i wonder <putting your name on another thread*>

*Just kidding

[JoshEarl]

I just saw "Feather" and thought I'd be able to contribute. Always looking to keep a newbie from skinning himself with one of these things.

Josh

[EAD]

Most guys here warned me about it, and I think they were right
The problem isn't the fear of the Feather, but the waste of $, and I am not talking about buying blades, but buying a REAL straight

I mean that if I had been buying the Feather, I will be soon after that be buying what I really WANT - a real straight
So
Why waste your $ on a Feather when you can get the real thing?

[jaegerhund]

Do most people just do one pass with the Feather?

And how does the Feather compare to the Dovo Shavette --as far as "skinning alive" factor is concerned? (I guess it depends on the blade)



Justin