Straight Razor -vs- Feather

So thanks to our very own "Logistics", who graciously sent me a Feather and some blades to play with this past week, I finally got to try one out...

This was the model with the folding handle and I used blades that were marked Professional Lite...

First shave taught me some things not to do :rant: but not bad actually, I was using a very light touch and trying to keep aware of the corners of the blade....
I gave myself one good nick that was totally my own stupidity....

The shave was good, rather smooth, and right to the point... I found it a slight bit disconcerting not having to strop... It set my timing after lathering all off...

Second shave went without a hiccup, I went and got a cup of coffee from the kitchen while the lather sat on my face :)

Third shave on the same blade, not quite as smooth, now, I really wanted to strop the razor...:rolleyes:

Now I have saved that blade, and a brand new one, these are going to be sent out to Gugi so he can take some micro-pics of them...

To answer the big question that was on my mind, and perhaps yours...
How do the blades compare to a straight razor?????...

First they a freakishly sharp, they are also rather harsh....
Could I beat them????
I would guess, maybe, I could at least match them for sharpness given the right razor to hone to that level....
If I were going to try, I would use an American extra full hollow and push the edge to the extreme using diamond pastes... I think it could be done....

Most people like the Feather after the first or second shave, which tells me that they are creating as sharp an edge as possible, trying to keep it shaving as long as possible... No real concern here for shaving comfort, it is all about the sharp...
Straight razor users seem to lean a little more toward the comfort side of things, BBS is the goal, but getting a razor rash to have it, doesn't cut it with most of us....

Pretty fun all in all though, now I can say I have tried one at least...

Thanks again to "Logistics" for sending it out....

Cool, Glen. I share the same opinion. Netsurfr was kind enough to lend me his Feather AC within the last year with Pro Super blades.

You mentioned something that gets lost in the fray I think when we debate whether a straight razor's edge can be honed as sharp as a feather. You mentioned that after the second or third shave with the feather blade.....not quite so much.

We all know that our goals in honing are not only sharpness.....but to hone an edge that doesn't crap out after the first few shaves but to hone an edge that lasts and lasts as long as possible.

IF.......we threw that part of the overall goal out the window (honing an edge that lasts in addition to being sharp), I'll argue based on the times I've obsessed over razor edges I've honed and tweaked and tweaked and tweaked that you CAN hone a straight razor to that level of sharpness. I don't think you can hone ANY straight razor to the feather level, but it seems getting a razor that is wicked whisker wiping sharp seems to result in the edge not lasting as long.

Chris L

Crazy question and maybe a stupid one as I don't know these razors very well..

I know they are disposable blades, but could you strop them (while in the handle or whatever)? You said you wanted to strop it... why not try? Does the design prevent it? I wonder if it might extend the life of each blade?

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Originally Posted by pjrage

Crazy question and maybe a stupid one as I don't know these razors very well..

I know they are disposable blades, but could you strop them (while in the handle or whatever)? You said you wanted to strop it... why not try? Does the design prevent it? I wonder if it might extend the life of each blade?

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It would be difficult (and counter-productive) to strop a Feather. Difficult because the blade is recessed in the holder and the width of the whole assembly would give you to much angle between the bevel and the strop. It would be counter-productive because the Feather blades are coated (teflon?) which provides a bit more glide and reduces the effort required to cut beard hairs. Regardless, the blades are cheap and you can get a bunch of shaves out of one so extending their life by a couple of shaves would not be worth the effort IMO. Also, I only use my Feather if I am pressed for time or just don't feel like doing the whole process ie: I don't want to strop and I don't want to worry about post shave care for the razor.

Hey Glen, I didn't realize you had an interest in trying a Feather. I brought one to NC and would have gladly given it to you to test drive. Sorry about that.:gaah:

I find it interesting, the idea of comparing the two. I'm tempted to try one (as I am tempted to try a KAI Excelia) but...if I were going to go disposable, I'd probably go DE as the blades are quite a bit cheaper.

Also, I'm not sure you're right with the "sharp as long as possible" point, because these are very much a "professional" (meaning barbers and stylists--and they have near total saturation in Japan) tool--so the blades are probably intended for one use only.

The Feather RG was my first straight. I wanted to do something to get away from Mach 3 madness, but was concerned about stropping, honing, etc. I'm glad I bought one, it got me into using real straights. But the difference for me between the two is huge.

I don't use mine anymore, and lent it to a friend who was curious about straights but too afraid to try a blade. The irony is that I think the Feather is easier to cut yourself with.

If I am pressed for time or traveling I prefer to use a DE razor, now. But I am grateful to the Feather for paving my way to straights.

On a funnier note, the first Feather I actually bought was the smaller folding straight -- the Prebeau. I thought it would be easier for some reason. I was shocked when this tiny thing showed up and I realized it was a ladies' razor! I tried it but found it really too small. It would be an ideal 'coochie' razor, I guess. But it's pretty useless for a face. And there is no way my wife will use it on her legs. Now it sits gathering dust in a closet... I just chalk it up to the learning process.

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Originally Posted by JimR

I find it interesting, the idea of comparing the two. I'm tempted to try one (as I am tempted to try a KAI Excelia) but...if I were going to go disposable, I'd probably go DE as the blades are quite a bit cheaper.

Also, I'm not sure you're right with the "sharp as long as possible" point, because these are very much a "professional" (meaning barbers and stylists--and they have near total saturation in Japan) tool--so the blades are probably intended for one use only.

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Very good point Jim I missed that whole thought process.....

I would imagine that using one of these on facial hair would almost be an art form as a Barber... A stylist using it for a Razor Cut on hair I could see rather easy....

I did my first open bladed shave on my face with one of these. I bought one for my job as a Hairdresser. And the salon is the only place I like to use it anymore. You can't strop it, for the blade will be pulled out of it's mount, and also you can't get the angle you really want either. Besides, Isn't being 'one' with the edge of your blade what's it's all about anyways? Strop, feel, shave- repeat. I love my Feather Razor. Some of my best work and best haircuts are from the edge of a Feather. But as far as personal use in my home, and on my face, I'll reach for my Bengal, or DoVo.
ps- and further more The feather blade dulls from it's pristine condition quick. By the time you get to your final ATG passes- you'll need to replace the blade. I make it through half a haircut and need to change the blade most times. I find it a very expensive starter Straight Razor for first timers, I think I paied over 150$ for mine.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Very good point Jim I missed that whole thought process.....

I would imagine that using one of these on facial hair would almost be an art form as a Barber... A stylist using it for a Razor Cut on hair I could see rather easy....

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It's not all that important, Glen...just something that I think gets missed a lot. Even my old-fashioned barber uses a Feather some days, when he's busy and the stropping/maintenance gets to be a bother, and I'm pretty sure he changes blades between each customer...

I hope so, any way!

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

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Originally Posted by JimR

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

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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! :beer2:

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.

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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.

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I imagine smaller blades are useful for this kind of thing:
YouTube - Happy Happy Go Shaving Day!

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Originally Posted by Rajagra

I imagine smaller blades are useful for this kind of thing:
YouTube - Happy Happy Go Shaving Day!

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That's where I saw it! Exactly! Thanks.

Glen, sir, you are most welcome. Thank you for posting this as it would have been very nice to read this prior to my noobulous purchase.
None the less, I don't regret the purchase at all but in hind site I would have purchased a Dovo or the like first before trying the Feather so I wouldn't gauge the Feather in terms of sharpness to any other razor.
Thank you, again, for honing my Dovo Micarta! I just got it last night so I will try it soon and PM you the results promptly. Of course, as outlined in your letter I will try it without stropping.