Thread: Feather Razor

Hey, I'm new to straight razor shaving. Ray DuPont recommended the Feather and it's superb. I just want to know if there are any Feather users who graduated to a conventional straight razor. Is there a noticable difference vs. the Feather due to the daily stropping and the finer edge? I'd like to eventually try the conventional and all that goes with it (honing, stropping).

Thanks,
Rob

Rob,
While I have not tried a Feather from what I have heard it gives an even closer shave than a conventional straight does.
Tony

Rob, will the Feather take regular DE blades snaped in half?

When you master Feather, you are ready to go straight. But if you are not willing to play endlessly with hones, pastes, strops, oiling, towel drying, then you are better of with the Feather razor.

Nenad

Nenad, the Feather will not accept a DE blade. The Feather blade is a bit longer and has "custom" fittings that marry up to the Feather RG series only.

I can't thank Ray DuPont enough for his advice and humor in my choice in the Feather. I wish him well.

Happy holidays!

I'm enjoying this forum website.

-Rob

Hey, I'm new to straight razor shaving. Ray DuPont recommended the Feather and it's superb. I just want to know if there are any Feather users who graduated to a conventional straight razor. Is there a noticable difference vs. the Feather due to the daily stropping and the finer edge? I'd like to eventually try the conventional and all that goes with it (honing, stropping).

I use both. I started with conventional straights, and just recently (this week actually) picked up a Feather Artist Club DX. I love the way it feels and shaves, very nice razor. A little different though from the regular str8. The Feather is a great razor to take with you to travel if you don't want to carry a strop with you.

Some say that the Feather shaves closer than a conventional straight. I'm not sure if that is true for me. Although I've only shaved with the Feather a few times now, I got a very close shave. I get fairly close shaves with my straights as well. If I have the time I can get silky smooth skin in all directions without stubble from all the razors that I use, with little or no irritation.

Obviously the maintenance with the Feather is easier, like a DE, you just through the blade away after 7-10 shaves. I like variety actually so I shave with DE's, conventional straights, and now the Feather as well.

It's all good!

CRR, how does the feather feel different from a straight, while shaving and afterwards?

Hrm... I've heard that the feather DE razor blades are actually /too/ sharp to shave with when they first come, and they don't really 'break in' for three or four shaves. Is this true of their straight razors?

This certainly seems like it would be a razor where all the good technique - keeping the blade in motion, and at the proper angle, etc., would be very important?

-Keith

Yes, the Feather is too sharp atleast for me. Its like all other methods, it takes practice. I believe most guys who use the Feather use negative pressure, which takes time to learn. That is the weight of the blade will actually nick you so you have to hold the razor weight off your face. I was not willing to take the time to learn and to me replacing blades was one of the reasons I wanted to move away from conventional methods. I got nicked continuously with a Feather which is impossible to continue doing when you can shave with a regular straight and never get nicked. But I know lots of guys who swear by them. For me honing and stropping are not chores. The benefits come when you don't have the skill set yet to hone and strop and yet you still want to straight shave. Also, there are two types of blades to choose from. Really, really sharp and really, really, really, sharp.

I purchased one for $100 bucks, tried it, and sold the whole thing in less than a week for $80 I think.

The Blades on the Feather start a little too sharp, really unbeliveably sharp. After the second shave, they calm down, and shave as good as any straight I have ever used.

I like them a lot.

Lee

This is an interesting thread to me. I love the straight razor and the whole step back in time concept of it. The Feather is a step forward and I am on the fence about making that step. I'm old fashioned. It does seem like something I want to try though. I just got a Shavette as a sample just to see what the disposable blade concept is like and also to se if I felt comfortable selling them as a beginners step once I use one for a week or two.

Quite a difference in opinions on the Feather.

AF, you said you kept your les than a week. That is my pattern. Try it, hate it, dump it.........4 months later I then wonder if I gave it a fair trial. Maybe a week with the Shavette will give me direction.

Tony