Feather SS: folding or non-folding?

I'm seriously thinking of picking up a Feather SS, but can't decide between the folding or kamisori versions. I've read mixed reviews, some thinking the shank is too narrow on the folding & some saying the head is too heavy on the non-folding. What have those of you who have used these (the SS version) found?

Also, which would you say feels closer to using a traditional straight, the new SS or the RG/CJB style? I've heard both sides but I'd like to hear more from people who actually use straights as their primary means of shaving... ;)

If it matters for technique, my beard lies extremely flat against my face & I tend to use a pretty low angle for XTG so I'm probably going w/ the Super pro blades as they stick out of the holder more. IIRC the blade is more recessed on the SS than the RG/CJB variants.

PA23-250, firstly everytime I see your avatar reminds me of when I was Chief pilot and flew many Piper twins from Seminoles to Chieftons including Apaches, Twin Comanches of course etc. I suspect you might have a superbly restored model tucked away in a hangar somewhere!

Back to your question, I have both folding and non folding Feather SS using the pro-guard blades and think they are both great but find the non folding easier to use. I have had them for about one month and take the non folding away with me when travelling. I must also mention that I have never nicked myself like I have with the Dovo shavette. The SS is incredibly sharp and smooth giving me at least 10 two pass shaves per blade.

I would go so far as to recommend one to a beginner straight razor user. It seems you cannot go wrong with it. I bought the non folding to gain experience before using my traditional Kamisoris.

Sadly I don't have one, but I did all my multiengine work in one. :) Sounds much bigger than it is in terms of engine noise & nice to hand fly. Burns a lot of fuel, but who cares when you push those engines up? :D Love to fly a chieftain as well but haven't gotten to yet.

As far as shavettes go, I've only used one once & as I recall, the word was "caution". Did not seem to give any real feedback. How is the feedback from the SS? Similar to a straight? I think you've got me leaning more toward the non-folding now.

This is a great system to use and my experience is close to Sunbird's.
With RAD I now have the SS folding and fixed, RG fixed, DX Folding and the Captain Kai Excela fixed and the CJB fixed and folding...(so glad I am amongst friends)

I use the Feather as my travel razor, in the checked bag or I park a kit on location if I am going someplace several times a month. And I also use it at home when I'm a little pressed for time - you can - as Sunbird notes - get a great two pass North-South shave in short order on short notice.

Because of the shank size/shape the SS and CJB folding would be lower on the list. Small and hard to control (for me, YMMV).
The DX folding with its more traditional shank shape and total weight and balance is for me the closest to a conventional SR.

The SS and RG fixed (and the CJB fixed - which is similar in shape to the RG) differ in handle shape, balance (SS seems more handle heave, RG more head heavy)
I've just started using the RG fixed on this trip and I like the balance but the SS edge profile seems to be more "forgiving" And I assume any flaw is operator error at this point since the DX and RG head profiles are the same and I use the DX folding as my go to Feather at home.

Net- the SS fixed is a good place to start. Because there are no edge issues they are easy to sell/trade if you want to move on.

Blades - What works for many is the progression - Feather Pro Guard, Pro, Kai Mild PINK - Dorco Super is similar to the Pro, Kai Mild IMHO is the best "conventional" blade. I have a Super that was sent in a PIF exchange but have not tried it. Try to give any of them 3-6 shaves before you make the call, they do seem to mello a bit with a few shaves.

Keep the pressure and the angle low and mind the skin tension. My cuts - when I get them - are either weepers from too much pressure or nicks from tension or "landing" errors. What these blades don't know about sharp is not worth learning...

Good Shaving...

My two cent's Canadian.

I looked at these, thought cool, kind of a SR without the upkeep, nice looking razors as well!

More I thought about it, at basically $30 for replacements blades, at around $100 for the holder (at least) well, at that point, then why bother with a Feather or something similiar? AKAIK, once you introduce the replaceable blade, might as well just go to the Fusion 55,002 blade cartridge shaver or Mach whatever...quick, clean shave and Bob's your uncle...

Just my opinion, and like noses, I know, everyone has one....

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Originally Posted by Phrank

My two cent's Canadian.

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I was interested but stayed away from these for a while, mostly because of all of the scary sharp comments. But my travel straight system was not working and I thought this might work. Then I found a CJB non folding and a pack of Dorco blades for $40 and I was off to Feather RAD-land.

Don't get me wrong - my favorite straight is always something "conventional" (please don't ask to name a favorite) but if you travel or have limited space a razor and 40 weeks worth of blades (20 x 14 shaves each) take up the space of a toothbrush case and a pack of gum.
(Some (Ace) can get 40 shaves from a blade, some get 7, I'm running 14-18)

Contrast that with I was getting 7 days on the M3 and less than great results and for me it's advantage Feather (over M3)
But when you get the blade/holder/technique thing dialed in the shave can leave you in BBS - giddy territory.

In the end it is like many things - YMMV - with options...
If you've tried DE shaving there is a similar issue with razors, blades and perception...one persons dream combo is another shavers "camp saw"

It's good to have options...

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Originally Posted by MJC

I was interested but stayed away from these for a while, mostly because of all of the scary sharp comments. But my travel straight system was not working and I thought this might work. Then I found a CJB non folding and a pack of Dorco blades for $40 and I was off to Feather RAD-land.

Don't get me wrong - my favorite straight is always something "conventional" (please don't ask to name a favorite) but if you travel or have limited space a razor and 40 weeks worth of blades (20 x 14 shaves each) take up the space of a toothbrush case and a pack of gum.
(Some (Ace) can get 40 shaves from a blade, some get 7, I'm running 14-18)

Contrast that with I was getting 7 days on the M3 and less than great results and for me it's advantage Feather (over M3)
But when you get the blade/holder/technique thing dialed in the shave can leave you in BBS - giddy territory.

In the end it is like many things - YMMV - with options...
If you've tried DE shaving there is a similar issue with razors, blades and perception...one persons dream combo is another shavers "camp saw"

It's good to have options...

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Hey - that defintely changes my perception - for sure it would be a smaller footprint, and if you're getting that many shaves per blade that makes even more sense, plus I guess you get the feel of a SR. Also - if you're on the road for that time, makes even more sense!

They certainly are nice looking razors, hopefully this won't feed my RAD...thanks for the info!

Cheers!

Just had a thought: if I do end up going w/ the SS (seems most likely) & I want a lower angle going XTG, what do you think about applying slightly more pressure toward the "spine" combined w/ the lower angle? Seems like it would permit a flatter angle & still allow cutting.

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Originally Posted by PA23-250

Just had a thought: if I do end up going w/ the SS (seems most likely) & I want a lower angle going XTG, what do you think about applying slightly more pressure toward the "spine" combined w/ the lower angle? Seems like it would permit a flatter angle & still allow cutting.

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I think you're going to be impressed with the results you'll get from a normally low angle with this system.

That said, I lay my RG folder with a Super flat with almost no pressure when going ATG and have no problems.

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Originally Posted by PA23-250

Just had a thought: if I do end up going w/ the SS (seems most likely) & I want a lower angle going XTG, what do you think about applying slightly more pressure toward the "spine" combined w/ the lower angle? Seems like it would permit a flatter angle & still allow cutting.

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I would try to remove the thought "more pressure" from your plan until you get a few shaves in. Like ZeroCool says - you will be impressed. My experience has been pressure = weepers. Just try to see how light you can keep it for starters.

And good luck and good/smooth shaving!

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Originally Posted by MJC

I would try to remove the thought "more pressure" from your plan until you get a few shaves in. Like ZeroCool says - you will be impressed. My experience has been pressure = weepers. Just try to see how light you can keep it for starters.

And good luck and good/smooth shaving!

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+1 to recommendation from MJC.

You will find that the SS fitted with the Pro-Guard is VERY tolerant to angle but not pressure. Keep the pressure light and use just like any DE or even one of those multi blade gismos we do not mention on this site.

In no time you will be wielding that SS around like a pro, albeit spoilt.

You will be impressed!!!!

OK, so I've narrowed it down to definitely the SS, but still can't decide folding or non. One thing that might trip the trigger is I found a Rakuten store selling the straight version for an incredibly low price & they ship to the US--that store doesn't carry the folding, though. OTOH I'm going to be doing a lot of traveling in the next few months & that's where folding might come in handy (protect a blade w/o having to remove it from the holding when packing).

Any preferences assuming you could only buy one? :D

I have been using the non folding only as it is so easy to use and I have never cut myself.

You can store the SS in a cheap plastic tooth brush holder from the supermarket or pharmacy.

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The extra added advantage is that you will then want (need) a Kamisori. They are so cool!

Stop deliberating and just order one. You can always get the folding one as well later on as you WILL enjoy using the SS, I promise.

One of the interesting things about the SS is they are easy to sell/trade and unless they have been damaged/abused (and that is hard to do) the value seems to hover around a certain level - (we don't do values on the forum).
My "travel SS" - that I keep parked at a remote office - is a SS non-folding. I use the DX/RG blade protector but you have to modify (grind) it to make it work for the SS. I've also used the same toothbrush holder but I reverse the blade (very carefully and don't let the edge hit the stop) when I don't use the blade guard.

If you have a source for the SS fixed that's a deal then I would view that as a sign....

As Yoda says: "there is no try, there is do and not do"

I didn't vote since I don't have either one, nor any plans to get one. If I was to vote it would be folding. I've never shaved with a non folder but used a folder straight out and that is the equivalent. I like the ergonomics of folders.

What puzzles me is why have a multiple choice poll with two options ? :thinking:

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

What puzzles me is why have a multiple choice poll with two options ? :thinking:

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Not my poll but I will take a stab at this one - The SS has a contoured head, like a faux hollow ground and the leading edge has a bulb like condition designed to ease the contact with skin. The RG, DX and CJB have a straight taper spine to edge and are more like a wedge in profile.

And you can get the RG/DX/CJB in fixed and folding if you want to add more options...

Just ordered the non-folding SS in lime green from Rakuten! :D It says they'll contact me w/ shipping & payment (I selected paypal).
The price was a steal: less than half of what they usually seem to go for on this continent... Shipping is extra, but still one hell of a deal!

Hope they contact me/ship soon!

I'd get a folding version.
Nothing wrong with a fixed one either, but to me the added manouverability in a folder would be preferred.
What I mean is, there are times when the scales can get in the way, a folding SS fixes that easily:)

Finally got the paypal invoice & paid the fine as it were. Total including shipping (which was higher than I thought) was still a steal compared to what they go for in these parts. Hope it gets here soon (they use EMS) & can't wait to use it! It comes w/ a pack of proguards too.

Perfect timing as I'm in for a lot of traveling this fall. Don't think it would ever replace my real straights as I enjoy the honing/stropping ritual far too much, but still excited.