Thread: Help for a frustrated beginner

I've been doing straights about a month. Right now, I get my best shave with the Feather (professional blades). Each shave with it I can do better. I am more aesthetically drawn to a traditional straight, but my worst shaves come from my pre-honed Dovo and Thiers-Issard. I am going to try honing the Dovo using Lynn's video as a guide, and would like to learn honing anyway. Not sure if it's my technique but my so-called "shave ready" straights give me horrible shaves, even after stropping.

Regarding my straights, I don't think it's totally my technique because I can do the sideburns (easiest surface anyway) and I get crummy results even there with the straight. The Feather leaves it smooth as glass.

Are feathers frowned upon in general, how do traditional straight shavers feel about them?

"Shave-ready" blades like Dovo or TI's aren't actually shave ready. They need to be honed by hand.