Thread: Why shaving with the featherlite blade is the better than the rest

Ok... let me be the first to have a crack at it.
I understand what you are saying, but somehow I just feel that you are missing the whole point of using a straight razor (a real one, I mean...). There's more to it that just shaving. That's my point of view. I enjoy stropping and prepping and all the things related. I understand that you think that the feather is the ultimate in shave closeness. Ok. Good for you. But you are missing out on a lot, my friend. But to each its own and as long as you are having fun and getting a good shave...

Now, concerning the Bad Ass thing: why? Why does this keep coming up?! Just because it's a sharp blade it doesn't make you a hooligan! To me the straight razor represents the ultimate in deportment and gentlemanly behaviour. And a gentleman is not bad ass... I seem to stumble upon the bad ass argument too often. I just might be a bit old fashioned, then, if I find this to be a thing of gentlemen... maybe I'm wrong.

"Ok... let me be the first to have a crack at it.
I understand what you are saying, but somehow I just feel that you are missing the whole point of using a straight razor (a real one, I mean...). There's more to it that just shaving. That's my point of view. I enjoy stropping and prepping and all the things related. I understand that you think that the feather is the ultimate in shave closeness. Ok. Good for you. But you are missing out on a lot, my friend. But to each its own and as long as you are having fun and getting a good shave...

Now, concerning the Bad Ass thing: why? Why does this keep coming up?! Just because it's a sharp blade it doesn't make you a hooligan! To me the straight razor represents the ultimate in deportment and gentlemanly behaviour. And a gentleman is not bad ass... I seem to stumble upon the bad ass argument too often. I just might be a bit old fashioned, then, if I find this to be a thing of gentlemen... maybe I'm wrong."


Before this goes to far on this track, let me explain a few things: This is a discussion board and I have listed the pro's for the Feather artist club, so if you want to give pros and cons for one or the other have at it, but I quite clearly listed the "pros" for the Feather artist club. Your rebuttal was mostly reduced to a general statement tantamount to "you are wrong." Secondly, I resent the implication that the Feather artist club is not a "real straight razor." Is it not straight? is it not a razor? Is it not handled? Does one not use it the same way with the exception of stropping?

As to the "bad ass" comment, you are either missing the spirit of my post, or you have no sense of humor, or it is lost in translation. I do not mean to insult you with this statement. I am only interpreting why other people are using this word to describe it, but when I use it, it is meant to be in fun. However, Bad Ass would just describe the masculinity of this method of shaving in this case. It has nothing at all to do with being gentlemanly or not. Bad ass simply as stand in metaphor for "more masculine" and not "hooligan". I don't think that I am wrong in believing that most men who shave with a straight razor do it because it is somewhat of a lost art that represents a certain masculinity. It is a connection with something that is strictly within the domain of being Male and nothing else. Women have Makeup, nails, facials (although some men do this too, NOT FOR ME!! ), etc. etc. With the shaving technology available today, there is absolutely no reason to use a straight razor for only the purposes of getting a close shave. I can get a close shave with a Mach 5 razor. But for me, it is less of a challenge, and it is too fast to derive any sense of connection with the "manliness aspect." I understand that everyone has their reasons, but I am old school in many ways, I believe in traditional values, I am a bodybuilder, I own a business and work hard to provide for my family, I believe very much in being my own man. ANd I believe that I am a "bad ass" AND a "gentleman." My guess is that if we took a poll of straight razor users, we would find that many of us have these things in common.

So thanks for your comment, I hope I clarified my position and would love to hear some more. I am sure there are a lot of people who disagree with me and have their reasons for it.

If shaving with disposables is your thing have at it. I myself enjoy the art of the straight.

I like straights because of:
1: the way they look (so many are pieces of art, especially the restores)
2: the process of the shave.. it is very relaxing to go through the strop, lather, shave process.
3: the fact that I will be able to pass these two century old blades down to my son, and he will still be able to get the same great shave I get today (and he will be able to learn something about history... just like I have).
4: the projects I get into (making my own brushes, scales, etc.).

For me it's a hobby, not just a way to get my face smooth... I could get laser procedures done so that I never had to shave again but I enjoy my hobby too much.

Originally Posted by JGUNS

Before this goes to far on this track, let me explain a few things: This is a discussion board and I have listed the pro's for the Feather artist club, so if you want to give pros and cons for one or the other have at it, but I quite clearly listed the "pros" for the Feather artist club. Your rebuttal was mostly reduced to a general statement tantamount to "you are wrong." Secondly, I resent the implication that the Feather artist club is not a "real straight razor." Is it not straight? is it not a razor? Is it not handled? Does one not use it the same way with the exception of stropping?

As to the "bad ass" comment, you are either missing the spirit of my post, or you have no sense of humor, or it is lost in translation. I do not mean to insult you with this statement. I am only interpreting why other people are using this word to describe it, but when I use it, it is meant to be in fun. However, Bad Ass would just describe the masculinity of this method of shaving in this case. It has nothing at all to do with being gentlemanly or not. Bad ass simply as stand in metaphor for "more masculine" and not "hooligan". I don't think that I am wrong in believing that most men who shave with a straight razor do it because it is somewhat of a lost art that represents a certain masculinity. It is a connection with something that is strictly within the domain of being Male and nothing else. Women have Makeup, nails, facials (although some men do this too, NOT FOR ME!! ), etc. etc. With the shaving technology available today, there is absolutely no reason to use a straight razor for only the purposes of getting a close shave. I can get a close shave with a Mach 5 razor. But for me, it is less of a challenge, and it is too fast to derive any sense of connection with the "manliness aspect." I understand that everyone has their reasons, but I am old school in many ways, I believe in traditional values, I am a bodybuilder, I own a business and work hard to provide for my family, I believe very much in being my own man. ANd I believe that I am a "bad ass" AND a "gentleman." My guess is that if we took a poll of straight razor users, we would find that many of us have these things in common.

So thanks for your comment, I hope I clarified my position and would love to hear some more. I am sure there are a lot of people who disagree with me and have their reasons for it.

Jguns: We seem to have gotten lost somewhere. I am sorry if I have offended you. I didn't want to imply that you are a hoologan or that the feather is not a "real" stright razor. By using the term "real" I wanted to refer to anyrazor with a non disposable blade... If you prefer the Feather, great! I hear it's a great razor and all... I just seem to prefer, myself, a non disposable blade straight razor.

Concerning the bad ass thing: yes, I didn't understand the nature of your tone and I appologize. The thing is, we get a lot of people that like this sort of razor because it is aggresive, old school, ass kicking mumbo jumbo. I now understand that you only meant "manly"... ok, sorry. I thing it's manly too.

Of all my friends and family who know I shave with a straight razor, none of them necessarily think of it as "bad ass." Nor do I think of myself that way. Those who know either think of it as backwards or else just plain crazy behavior to shave with a straight razor. I suppose one could make an argument for manliness because one is pressing an unrestrained blade to one's face and throat, but realistically wouldn't it be just as manly to grow a full beard -which is not only what differentiates men from boys but also women? It's all relative, I guess.

But there is a sort of ritual associated with it. Showering, beard prep, stropping, hot towels, etc., and all are involving. One spends a lot of time and energy engaging in an archaic ritual where time stands still. There isn't a lot of the "make it happen" mentality associated with it. It's almost meditative. It's luxury. Now, that doesn't interest everyone, but it interests me. I spend all day rushing and trying to make things happen. Shaving now is elevated to a hobby, almost an art form, and I get to relax and let it happen.

Also, I have total control over the process, from how sharp the blade is, to the thickness of the lather, to the closeness of the shave. I like that. It's elegant and gentlemanly, as mentioned. There is a skill necessary for proper execution. It's not like the cartridge "system." There is also a bit of experimentation involved. I like those things, too.

In addition, I think of modern society as disposable. So many things are meant to be used and discarded. We live in a time now where if it's old, it's no good any more, the new is better just because it's new; where if there's maintenance involved, it's not worth the trouble to have it, whatever it is. I think that's a symptom of our society, where everything must be done or gotten in an instant. Is food really better just because it can be made and served in seconds? Not necessarily. Is a product better because the maintenance aspect has been taken away? Not necessarily. Is an experience better simply because it can be done quicker and with less effort or skill? Not necessarily (think sex, here).

I can't knock it if someone has found a great shave with a disposable-blade razor, and that same person no longer has to do things like stropping, etc. which they didn't really enjoy anyway. That person has acheived a kind of liberation. But some of us found the same kind of liberation by committing to the ritual. While some may have been freed by no longer having to maintain the blade, some of us delight in the maintenance.

So far, I have never shaved with a feather razor. But I don't plan to. It seems to me to be a cross between the straight and the disposable blades. And that disposable aspect taints the thing for me. Personally, if I want a disposable blade razor, I'll go for a safety razor.

And as for closeness of the shave...let me put it this way: Yesterday I had the best, closest shave I have ever had. I learned the exact angle I need to go ATG on the third pass to get a perfect shave. No irritation, either. And my face was left perfectly smooth, even in the "problem" areas like my chin. It doesn't get any closer, and this was with a blade I had to strop. (100 times is my norm.)

Like I said, if you have found your perfect way, I'm happy for you. But my perfect way includes the maintenance, the attention to detail, the preparation and ritual, the blade in which I am invested, and the magic of time standing still for me.

I agree, if shaving with the disposable Feather blades in the Feather AC holder works best for you, than you've found your niche.

I have shaved with the Feather AC and the Feather pro-super blades. I prefer my edges that I create to be keen but with such a miniscule amount of forgiveness (you can define "forgiveness" in this context however you'd like) that unless I make a boneheaded move, I can glide my blade lightly over my face without the ever conscious and ever cautious awareness I needed with a Feather to avoid nicks and weepers.

Also, I often enjoy shaving with a extra hollow grind razors in addition to the stiffer grinds. A feather AC with whatever Feather blade you'd like to insert into it is not as flexible as a full or extra hollow. They're pretty rigid.

Sorry man, I like stropping and honing. Wait, I retract my apology. I like stropping and honing.

Finally, as fpessanha said, this "bad ass" thing comes up. Invariably on the occasions it is mentioned as a reason for shaving with a straight, it's brought up by newcomers to this method of shaving. I can honestly say whether it's believed or not, that looking, feeling or otherwise being "bad ass" while shaving with a straight was never and has never been a reason I shave this way. Seriously. To me it's simply the ultimate way to shave which allows me full control of the shave both in the maintainance and tool I select and how I use it. Being close to 40 maybe makes a difference.

Chris L

Chris L