Thread: Straight Razor -vs- Feather

Originally Posted by JimR

On another interesting note, persco, the Prebeau IS for faces.

I think I understood that, but thought it must be for precise shaping of eyebrows, etc. But beards? Not too sure... It's a neat little thing, though.

scott.

Since I have both and use both I can share my insight.

The feather blade feels too sharp on the 1st and 2nd shave. If you go for BBS - ATG, you will get a few weepers, but nothing that cold water can't close up quickly when rinsing. Also, you need to be good with your touch or risk a small cut with the point.

The 3rd and 4th shaves are just perfect for me - no weepers and yet effectively sharp. A nicely sharp fixed straight will feel similar in performance to the feather's 3rd & 4th shave, thus if you are out for a great shave every day, the straight has the advantage as you can tune it to be this sharp every time and generally they are more forgiving. For the feather, the 5th and 6th shave vary from user to user. I can get a 5th and 6th shave out of them, but then its time for a new blade as I know my tolerance for tugging, which begins on shave #5.

After the 4th shave with the feather blade, I always feel tempted to switch back to the Dovo Blade to avoid the 5th and 6th shave with the feather. I finally decided to just rotate them around and the feather blade gets used completely.

Good tip on disposable straight blades - flipping the blade around so the end point is now the front point, makes for a better 5th and 6th shave.

Thats my skinny on this one!

Pabster

I have one too. I only use it for traveling purposes.
The edges are much too harsh for my taste. It would take me a lot of effort to reach the same levels of sharpness, if it was possible at all (I don't use pastes) but my nakayama honed edges are close, and oodles more comfortable on the skin.

Originally Posted by persco

I think I understood that, but thought it must be for precise shaping of eyebrows, etc. But beards? Not too sure... It's a neat little thing, though.

scott.

I imagine smaller blades are useful for this kind of thing:
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