Help with Feather folding DX

Hi guys, first post.
Basically I switched over to DE 2 months ago, I started with a Muhle R89 and bought a feather ASD2 soon after and love them both. I shave daily and rarely cut myself anymore. So I've been watching and reading a lot about straight razors and the more I read the more I want, at the same time I've read great things about the feather but it didn't have the same appeal to me, however when I saw it on ebay for $161 USD / £102 and 200 pro blades for $88.80 / £56 I thought great bargain, straight razor can wait. So the razor came and I had to pay £35 import charges but zero for the blades, all in all pricing was decent The razor was brand new.

So prior to receiving the blades I practiced removing just the lather. I just had my first shave today, and am totally bummed out. I approached it very confidently but it soon disappeared. Nothing was going right, I had attempted on side of my cheek, abandoned, went to the neck then tried my other cheek at which time I was having to relather as it dried up, I cut myself twice in the process then abandoned compeltely, tided up slightly with my muhler89 and finished up. I left a lot of stubble as I was very annoyed and disheartened. I had been looking forward to this for weeks and I'm very disappointed. I'm beginning to think this was a mistake. And I tried left hand and I'm thinking using my right hand everywhere is simpler than switching hands.

What angle am I meant to hold it at? Everyone (youtube videos i've watched) says it's different to a SR so it's not 30degrees?
Any tips or advice? I'm thinking of buying the proguard blades but am a bit reluctant since I have 200 pro blades.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

Hi guys, first post.
Basically I switched over to DE 2 months ago, I started with a Muhle R89 and bought a feather ASD2 soon after and love them both. I shave daily and rarely cut myself anymore. So I've been watching and reading a lot about straight razors and the more I read the more I want, at the same time I've read great things about the feather but it didn't have the same appeal to me, however when I saw it on ebay for $161 USD / £102 and 200 pro blades for $88.80 / £56 I thought great bargain, straight razor can wait. So the razor came and I had to pay £35 import charges but zero for the blades, all in all pricing was decent The razor was brand new.

So prior to receiving the blades I practiced removing just the lather. I just had my first shave today, and am totally bummed out. I approached it very confidently but it soon disappeared. Nothing was going right, I had attempted on side of my cheek, abandoned, went to the neck then tried my other cheek at which time I was having to relather as it dried up, I cut myself twice in the process then abandoned compeltely, tided up slightly with my muhler89 and finished up. I left a lot of stubble as I was very annoyed and disheartened. I had been looking forward to this for weeks and I'm very disappointed. I'm beginning to think this was a mistake. And I tried left hand and I'm thinking using my right hand everywhere is simpler than switching hands.

What angle am I meant to hold it at? Everyone (youtube videos i've watched) says it's different to a SR so it's not 30degrees?
Any tips or advice? I'm thinking of buying the proguard blades but am a bit reluctant since I have 200 pro blades.

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Ok 1 shave in and you're thinking of giving up. If you drive a car think how long did it take you to learn and if you've been driving for some time you'll just do it now without even thinking.
I'm 12 months in with SR shaving and only now can I get a really smooth shave every time, WTG XTG and ATG, it will take time and practice this is a skill not just something which will come overnight. I think maybe you're trying to hard to shave all your face from the word go, I can categorically say that this will not work, just ask anyone on here, also don't stop using both hands it gives you far more options on angles and shaving those awkward spots..
OK some advice as far as angles concerned it's intuitive when you get into the groove, but to start lay the razor on your face with the blade flat and SLOWLY move it down your face whilst lifting the blade VERY VERY gradually to increase the angle, this is the best way to assess which angle works for you when it starts to cut the hairs this is now the right angle. BUT DO NOT use any pressure otherwise cuts will occur. Also make sure your lather is nice and wet if it's too dry the blade will stick, finally make sure you stretch your skin. Don't change the blades at this stage I'm betting the problem is with you and not the blades you're using.
Kepp at it you'll get there, hope this helps but if you need anything else just ask. Let us know how you get on.

That's what you told us: you have been shaving with some fairly mild DE razors for two months and are now disappointed that the first shave with a Feather DX proved to be more difficult than you anticipated and think about giving up after one shave.


Sorry to be so blunt, but where's the surprise - except that you appear unprepared for the task ahead?


Let's start:
1. Unlike what some others my tell you, I do not believe that a Feather DX or the lighter shavettes are straight razors on training wheels.
Consequently, I do not subscribe to the theory that once you master shavettes, you are set for straights.
If that was true, then driving instruction should best be done in manual-shift Ferraris.

2. Because of heft and balance, Feather AC series have more in common with straight razors than the (Dovo, etc.) lighter shavettes.

3. The Feather AC DX is less forgiving than a straight razor, yet can give exceptionally smooth shaves (I am currently on a two-week holiday and took my Feather DX instead of any straights), but needs to be a approached with care.
Also will a newly inserted blade feel harsh for the first shaves and reaches optimum smoothness only after the second or third shave.

4. Further, someone who comes from DE shaving and has no previous experience in straight shaving may underestimate the importance of stretching facial skin and knowing the growth of one's facial hair that is so essential to a good straight shave.
With a DE you may get away with a willy-nilly first pass down, second pass forward and last pass up (if you do at all three passes with a DE), but for a straight - and Feather DX alike - you need to know the growth of your hair in various parts of your face; how else could you shave with (WTG), across (XTG) and finally against (ATG) the grain?

5. There is information (incl. videos) available on the Internet, but in a nutshell the Feather DX requires a shallower angle.
One recommendation is to lay it flat on the skin and increase the angle slightly (to noticeably less than the 30 degrees commonly mentioned for straights) before you start moving the blade. As the Feather DX occupies a niche, this information is not quite as widely available as information on shaving with straights.

6. If you place the blade at a steeper angle and exert pressure you will demonstrate to yourself how sharp the Feather blade is. Keep an alum block handy for that case.
More than a straight, the Feather AC demands a light touch.

7.If you prepare yourself for a long learning curve (it will take up to 100 shaves to reach full proficiency with straight razors) the Feather DX will ultimately reward yourself with a smooth, yet very close shave.
After about 60 shaves you may see noticeable improvements and it may help if you use ONLY the Feather during that period.
With a bit of patience and skill; straight or Feather DX shaves after that should be better than typical DE shaves.


To summarize; you need to do your homework, you need to show persistence and mostly you just cannot expect instantaneous success and gratification.


Don't give up easily; the Feather DX is a tool that needs getting used too and most of us may have been tempted to put it aside at one time or another during the early stage, but you need to break through this wall to reap the benefits.


I wish you good luck.




B.

+1 to the two excellent posts above.

As a long time Feather system user I have to agree that the learning curve is much steeper than it is with a conventional straight.

The trade off is that it is so efficient - low Maintenece, smaller kit (no strop, hones, pastes) and with practice it delivers the best one pass shave I've experience (on the close side)

Two suggestions:

Remove the blade and see how little pressure you can use and still remove lather.

It may be blasphemy - but you could "cork" the blade - draw the blade on the side of a wine cork to dull the edge. Full disclosure - I've not tried this so I don't have first hand knowledge of how well this works.

When I started with the "system" (for me a CJB with Dorco and Feather Pro blades) I had already been shaving with a straight for 6 months. It was like starting all over for the first week. If it was not the cuts and nicks it was the the weepers and burn from too much pressure.

By the end of the week it came together (again, I had passed the 200 shave mark with conventional straights) and this is still my travel straight system.

You can learn to use a straight with the DX, but it will take more time.
And one of the problems is you keep re-opening earlier cuts / nicks since the scab is higher, so consider skipping a day or two it that is a problem.

As the beginner notes state, start with just the sideburn to jaw area. When you start you might want to pre-shave the first 5mm below the sideburn with you DE until you get the hang of starting. "Landing errors" - first point of contact are one of the problems when you are not used to the unforgiving edge of a new Pro blade.

Takes some time, I have found it well worth the effort but even after 100's of shaves I still know (the hard way) that it requires complete focus.

Smooth shaving

Thanks for the advice guys. I should clear up, I WILL stick with this and WILL not be giving up. I approached this with too much confidence which was why the first shave was such a let down. I realised 1, my lathers have been really poor, I have since discovered a better technique and 2 while I have been stretching the skin I haven't done it properly. I did not consider the razor to be for beginners, I initially bought the blades for the mongoose razor (which I'm still waiting for) then saw the DX at a great price so I ordered that too.

WHat does a steep and shallow angle mean? Is steep more vertical and shallow horizontal? I think more vertical works better. I've had 2 more shaves since the first one, haven't cut myself and have not attempted the chin or moustash and certain areas of the neck, 1 pass north-south finishing with a DE. I've read the recommendation to NOT use a DE to finish up or problem areas, opinions please?

Thanks guys, everything you said makes perfect sense, really appreciate it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

Thanks for the advice guys. I should clear up, I WILL stick with this and WILL not be giving up. I approached this with too much confidence which was why the first shave was such a let down. I realised 1, my lathers have been really poor, I have since discovered a better technique and 2 while I have been stretching the skin I haven't done it properly. I did not consider the razor to be for beginners, I initially bought the blades for the mongoose razor (which I'm still waiting for) then saw the DX at a great price so I ordered that too.

WHat does a steep and shallow angle mean? Is steep more vertical and shallow horizontal? I think more vertical works better. I've had 2 more shaves since the first one, haven't cut myself and have not attempted the chin or moustash and certain areas of the neck, 1 pass north-south finishing with a DE. I've read the recommendation to NOT use a DE to finish up or problem areas, opinions please?

Thanks guys, everything you said makes perfect sense, really appreciate it.

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Angle - imagine that you where to lay the razor flat against your face, then lift the spine up - if you raise the spine up 1 to 2 spine widths that would be "shallow or low angle"

Cleaning up with a DE - It is your face and razor and you should do what is best for you. Trying to do too much too early with any straight can be frustrating and counter productive.
With a Feather this is even more so IMHO.

The best thing for me while learning was to do the borders/starting points with something else along with finishing with a DE. Then one day I "forgot" to do that and realized that I no longer needed to.

You are on your way...

Smooth shaving.

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Originally Posted by MJC

Angle - imagine that you where to lay the razor flat against your face, then lift the spine up - if you raise the spine up 1 to 2 spine widths that would be "shallow or low angle"

Cleaning up with a DE - It is your face and razor and you should do what is best for you. Trying to do too much too early with any straight can be frustrating and counter productive.
With a Feather this is even more so IMHO.

The best thing for me while learning was to do the borders/starting points with something else along with finishing with a DE. Then one day I "forgot" to do that and realized that I no longer needed to.

You are on your way...

Smooth shaving.

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Sound advice regarding the way to determine the initial angle for the Feather DX.

Agree as well that there is nothing wrong with using a DE razor to clean up as long as it is understood that this is only an aid in the early weeks of straight shaving.
Ultimately, neither the Feather AC nor regular straight should depend on a DE clean-up, as a proficient straight shave surpasses a DE shave both in closeness and in smoothness.


B.

I think the angle is only part of the issue here. Try to apply no pressure at all and catch only whiskers with blade. With time you'll train light touch and make perfect shaves! Don't forget to tighten the skin in opposite direction from shaving. If you are nervous try to dry shave little hair on your hand, just to get a picture about the pressure amount.

As an owner of many true straights and a Feather, I can attest to the fact that Feathers are hard to shave with. I actually use a very wide angle - almost 90 degrees - and a VERY light touch. I can whip out a quick shave with my straights, but I have to be very careful with the feather.

I feel your disappointment. Arg! But keep at it as you say you will, and I am sure you will find it'll pay dividends. It's a unique tool that gives a unique shave.

Thinking you should try other blades is perfectly normal when flustered, but the wrong approach I would think. Stick with the blades you have. Master them. Master the system. Then when and if you get other blades, you'll better understand the difference between them.

I really like mine. It gives a passible shave with one pass - a damn fine shave with three. It's fast, low maintenance and easy to transport if you are inclined to take road trips.


It's been a couple of days since you posted - have you tried again? Would love to hear your progress.

Thanks for the support guys. So I think I've had 5/6 shaves now, after the first day and 2 bad cuts I stopped cutting myslef. I've got 2 faint "scars" but they haven't reopened. I very hesitant when bringing the blade to my face and the angles around the jaw line confuse me no end xD I am still shaving both cheeks and parts of the neck for 1 pass. Long long way to go.

I would have thought the proguard or lights would be great for the beginner, while I realise the problem is with me and not the blades would this be counterproductive? From what I've read the proguards are the same sharpness and size as the pros but will prevent serious cuts, something that sounds very handy especially when attempting ATG for the first time. In anycase I've ordered the 15 pack.

I feel it's this (new)fear of getting cut that is holding me back, I never had this fear before the second of my cuts on that first day. I'm guessing this will die down in a few days.

At this point you are well on the way.
Would not bother with the Light Blades, I believe they are mostly use for cosmetology.
The Guards and nice, you can still cut yourself and they don't seem to last as long.

You can work out the pass patterns by taking out the blade - but in general it just takes time and you seem to be making great progress.
25 shaves from now you wonder what the problem was.

I DID IT :D:D:D 2 passes WTG, no weepers. Far from as close as I would have liked and cannot get right under the nose. After watching more videos i noticed it was mostly my grip at fault and my strokes were way too slow. I can't believe how excited I'm feeling, over a shave. Finished up ATG with my AS-D2 also with feather blades, feather all the way. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Any tips for under the nose?

What is the grip called when you can see your knuckles (oppossed to palm) in the mirror? Forehand? Backhand?

So yesterday I completed 3 passes WTG including chin and above the lip no cuts and while the shave is still not great it was slowly improving. COnfidence was getting high.

Day 8 (today) I put in a new blade :gaah: cut myself fairly early and panicked a little, got frustrated and had a very poor shave. Half a pass, gave up then finished up with a DE.

There is no room for error, any mistake WILL BE PUNISHED WITH BLOOD.
Either I learn QUICKLY or my face is going to be covered in little scars in a matter of weeks.

VERY FRUSTRATED, yesterday I was feeling so great about it, today feels like a HUGE stepback.

So what do you do when you have a bad cut? I felt like the way I was going immediately after the cut, if I carried on I would cut myself a few more times, better to call it a day and try again tomorrow?

Take heart...the "three steps forward, one step backwards" process of learning how to use a Straight is normal, the Feather makes those steps forward and backward a little more profound.

Some points:

Change the Blade - Was it dragging or did you just want to try a new blade? The more experience you have with the Feather the longer the blades last, but many of us feel that they are at their best after shave 3 or so, and are in the zone for shaves 3 to 14+ when they may fade. We have members who get 30+. So don't be in a hurry to change blades...

Cuts and Blood - There seems to be three types of blood events with the Feather:

Too Much Pressure - the rest of your technique is good but you have too much pressure and you get weepers - shaving some skin to expose a capillary - and some burn thrown in. The weepers will close with cold/ice water (for me) but if you have to many you need to back off a day or two to heal.

Landing Errors - Unlike a regular straight that can be more forgiving - if you make first contact with the skin too fast and edge first you are going to get a cut, severity varies...again - avoid the area for a few days so avoid re-cutting the scab or high spot.

Basic Straight Razor Errors - You loose focus and you move the blade in the same direction as the edge and you slice yourself. These can be some of the worst cuts you can get. The Wiki will have some notes on wound care, you can use super-glue or a commercial wound care "glue" to close the "flap" and of course if it won't stop bleeding seek medical attention. Most of us have done something like this at least once to varying degree.

Again, avoid the area until it heals (I strike off the lather with my fingertip to remind we where it is) and sometimes the lather alone will start the blood to flow if it is recent and particularly bad)

If you can - keep using the DX on some part of your face each day/shave so you will keep growing your skills.

And remember that shaving with a Straight - any straight - is a fine motor skill that takes time to master.
I recently commented that this is like learning how to play the piano and also tune a piano by correspondence course (shaving and all that goes with maintaining an edge). The Feather eliminates much if not all of the edge care - the trade off being the learning curve for those fine motor skills is much steeper.

The Tribal Wisdom is that it takes "100 Shaves". For many getting to 25 shaves is the the most dramatic first step. Shaves 25-100 are when you get to all the passes and don't need any DE help and for me shaves going from 45 minutes to under 15-20 minutes and falling. (or the time is because you like to drag it out - but it takes me about 10 minutes - I strop the night before)

I had been shaving with a straight for 6 months when I tried the Feather system and the first week was very traumatic (read: Bloody)
From your posts you are doing very well to have started with the DX as your first Straight.
In this day and age its hard to explain sometimes that there are tips, but no shortcuts (hacks) to take the place of experience.

And 25 or 100 shaves is really a blip on the time scale when you think that someone in their 20's for instance might have 20,000+ shaves/days ahead...

Smooth Shaving...

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. It really shows through that you know exactly what I'm going through and I'm so greatful for the support.

I changed the blade because I had "blunted" it by taking the edge to a toilet roll for a few swipes, then I read somewhere else that a blunt egde is worst, somewhere I got confused and changed the balde last night LOL. I reasoned to myself (rightly or wrongly) that a blunter blade will give me a false sense of security and I would be better off with a new blade.

After the cut I knew exactly what I did wrong. It was a landing error, I came in at the wrong angle and felt it straight away. It was a lapse in concentration for a second. My previous cuts healed by the next morning, I shaved over the cuts and they didn't reopen. This one sadly for me appears to be worst. I'll access how bad it is in the morning. I might just take a day off as it's been maybe 2-3 weeks since I've last not shaved.

How many shaves in do you recommend before attempting the ATG pass? Almost all my hair grows downwards except a tiny part at the bottom of my neck and the sides of the throat so ATG is 95% south-north which terrifies me no end.

I think at this point I just need to remind myself to stay pateint and not get ahead of myself.

Thanks again and happy new year to everyone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. It really shows through that you know exactly what I'm going through and I'm so greatful for the support.

I changed the blade because I had "blunted" it by taking the edge to a toilet roll for a few swipes, then I read somewhere else that a blunt egde is worst, somewhere I got confused and changed the balde last night LOL. I reasoned to myself (rightly or wrongly) that a blunter blade will give me a false sense of security and I would be better off with a new blade.

After the cut I knew exactly what I did wrong. It was a landing error, I came in at the wrong angle and felt it straight away. It was a lapse in concentration for a second. My previous cuts healed by the next morning, I shaved over the cuts and they didn't reopen. This one sadly for me appears to be worst. I'll access how bad it is in the morning. I might just take a day off as it's been maybe 2-3 weeks since I've last not shaved.

How many shaves in do you recommend before attempting the ATG pass? Almost all my hair grows downwards except a tiny part at the bottom of my neck and the sides of the throat so ATG is 95% south-north which terrifies me no end.

I think at this point I just need to remind myself to stay pateint and not get ahead of myself.

Thanks again and happy new year to everyone.

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And a Happy New Year to you and yours...

My Feather shave routine is basically at the most a two pass, N-S and S-N.
This ends up being a mostly WTG N-S and a mostly XTG S-N.
I don't need to do a pure ATG pass with the Feather - but I am using a heal forward "snow plow" for some of it (please don't try this any time soon)
The Feather is so sharp that with good stretching XTG handles just about everything.
And the truth is that the S-N pass on the neck, with the good visibility that this pass has, can be an effective and efficient pass.
My neck problem/extra attention is the adams apple area - if I don't focus on the tension there I cut a nice strip of skin off. (I made to "cut of the day" with that one once)

An again, you can use the no-blade "shave" to work out the hand holds, pass patterns and stretching. When you do start, treat the sides of your neck like the side of your face to get the hang of it. The center of your throat can be like shaving your chin in that it takes some extra care with stretching/angles.

Above all take your time. Most of my cuts come from trying to do too much too soon.
As Obie says - Comfort over Closeness.
If you focus on Comfort the Closeness will come before you know it.

Smooth Shaving..

Your making great progress RedGladiator. The learning curve gets easier with each shave. Watch how geofatboy does it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFseSLNae_o

Changing a Feather AC blade, you may find that the first 1-2 shaves are harsher than the following ones and that you may need to take extra care with a new blade.

B.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by feltspanky

Your making great progress RedGladiator. The learning curve gets easier with each shave. Watch how geofatboy does it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFseSLNae_o

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Thanks, I've seen loads of his videos, don't know how I missed this one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beluga

Changing a Feather AC blade, you may find that the first 1-2 shaves are harsher than the following ones and that you may need to take extra care with a new blade.

B.

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Yes, I found out the hard way LOL
I swiped it x5 times on a toliet roll, don't know if it really helps but gives me slightly more confidence. I will continue to do this on fresh blades while learning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MJC

And a Happy New Year to you and yours...

My Feather shave routine is basically at the most a two pass, N-S and S-N.
This ends up being a mostly WTG N-S and a mostly XTG S-N.
I don't need to do a pure ATG pass with the Feather - but I am using a heal forward "snow plow" for some of it (please don't try this any time soon)
The Feather is so sharp that with good stretching XTG handles just about everything.
And the truth is that the S-N pass on the neck, with the good visibility that this pass has, can be an effective and efficient pass.
My neck problem/extra attention is the adams apple area - if I don't focus on the tension there I cut a nice strip of skin off. (I made to "cut of the day" with that one once)

An again, you can use the no-blade "shave" to work out the hand holds, pass patterns and stretching. When you do start, treat the sides of your neck like the side of your face to get the hang of it. The center of your throat can be like shaving your chin in that it takes some extra care with stretching/angles.

Above all take your time. Most of my cuts come from trying to do too much too soon.
As Obie says - Comfort over Closeness.
If you focus on Comfort the Closeness will come before you know it.

Smooth Shaving..

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What is a "snow plow"?
I've been doing the no blade shave, I found it quite helpful.

SO yesterday I went ahead and shaved over the cut and it didn't reopen, I completed 2 passes and started to attempt an ATG pass (which looking back was quite foolish) and quickly had a tiny weeper so I stopped realising I was not ready. Finished up with DE.

This morning I actually had a decent shave on the right side other than the chin area. I attempted to shave my left side with my left hand with NO HELP from my right hand and after 3 passes WTG not too great but I'm getting more confident and understanding the angles better. I'm no longer shitting myself when bringing the blade to my face. Finished up with DE, pretty happy with progress today.

So If I used right hand only, I think I could manage a decent shave with 2 passes WTG and minimal touch up with DE. I'm finding using both hands will probably be better for me in the long term.
Today is shave 11. What is typical to start XTG and ATG?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

What is a "snow plow"?
I've been doing the no blade shave, I found it quite helpful.

SO yesterday I went ahead and shaved over the cut and it didn't reopen, I completed 2 passes and started to attempt an ATG pass (which looking back was quite foolish) and quickly had a tiny weeper so I stopped realising I was not ready. Finished up with DE.

This morning I actually had a decent shave on the right side other than the chin area. I attempted to shave my left side with my left hand with NO HELP from my right hand and after 3 passes WTG not too great but I'm getting more confident and understanding the angles better. I'm no longer shitting myself when bringing the blade to my face. Finished up with DE, pretty happy with progress today.

So If I used right hand only, I think I could manage a decent shave with 2 passes WTG and minimal touch up with DE. I'm finding using both hands will probably be better for me in the long term.
Today is shave 11. What is typical to start XTG and ATG?

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"Snow Plow" is another term for leading with the heel or the toe of the razor.
You can also learn how to "chevron" - a stroke that moves diagonally as traverses the area (not slicing, check the wiki and I will try to find a link)
Get past 25 shaves before you try them but check out the Wiki.

My Feather routine is a N-S that is mostly WTG and using the left hand on the left side and the right hand on the right side.
The S-N starts for me at the base of the neck, strong hand on the weak side.
Using stretching and head tiling to get above the jaw line.
Most of the time I do the neck in three sets, weak side/dominant hand, strong side/"weak" hand (switching hands) and then center, using the swallow and hold to flatten my adams apple and pulling the skin to either side. Low pressure, low angle.

As you get in more shaves the "problem areas" will shrink down to a couple that are the size of your thumb pad or a matchbook - and this will be the "touch up" with the DE at first and the DX before you know it.

The strokes, stretches, hand positions and head tilts will just become part of a routine - you will have to stop and think about what you did because your "beard map" and stroke pattern will merge in to your muscle memory.

You can shave with your dominant hand only, but for me it is much much easier to use both hands, and the sooner you learn that the easier it comes together.

If no-blade practice has been helping you then "weak hand" passes might be a place to focus on.

One of the things that helped me was switching from rinsing the blade in the sink to stropping off the lather on a damp cloth on the counter.
I would focus on the sink and faucet and it not only slowed me down, in the beginning I would have to ask myself "what was I doing last?"
If you watch a Barber shave someone they never turn to the sink, they clear the blade on a towel or even their forearm.
The hot water rinse is saved for the end.

And from your posts you have made great progress without the benefit of an in-person mentor.
Keep doing what you are doing and by February you will have the hardest part long behind you.

Smooth Shaving and Happy New Year....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

Yes, I found out the hard way LOL
I swiped it x5 times on a toliet roll, don't know if it really helps but gives me slightly more confidence. I will continue to do this on fresh blades while learning.

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Try using the side of a wine cork, and making one "slice" drawing the blade from back to front/pulling it across.
Known as "corking the blade" there are some who do this with the Feather DE Blades when they are starting out.
You can add a slice if one is not enough.
This will shorten the service life of the blade, and once you get a few dozen shaves in you will not need to do this and your blade life will get much longer.
That way you can get your 10+ years out of your 10 boxes of blades...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

So yesterday I completed 3 passes WTG including chin and above the lip no cuts and while the shave is still not great it was slowly improving. COnfidence was getting high.

Day 8 (today) I put in a new blade :gaah: cut myself fairly early and panicked a little, got frustrated and had a very poor shave. Half a pass, gave up then finished up with a DE.



There is no room for error, any mistake WILL BE PUNISHED WITH BLOOD.
Either I learn QUICKLY or my face is going to be covered in little scars in a matter of weeks.

VERY FRUSTRATED, yesterday I was feeling so great about it, today feels like a HUGE stepback.

So what do you do when you have a bad cut? I felt like the way I was going immediately after the cut, if I carried on I would cut myself a few more times, better to call it a day and try again tomorrow?

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Most shavers can get ten or more shaves from the feather artisan blades. Your handwork is going to pay off. Once you get the pressure and angles correct you'll be rewarded with fantastic shaves. The Feather Artisan Club Razors give exceptional quality shaves.

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Originally Posted by MJC

"Snow Plow" is another term for leading with the heel or the toe of the razor.
You can also learn how to "chevron" - a stroke that moves diagonally as traverses the area (not slicing, check the wiki and I will try to find a link)
Get past 25 shaves before you try them but check out the Wiki.

My Feather routine is a N-S that is mostly WTG and using the left hand on the left side and the right hand on the right side.
The S-N starts for me at the base of the neck, strong hand on the weak side.
Using stretching and head tiling to get above the jaw line.
Most of the time I do the neck in three sets, weak side/dominant hand, strong side/"weak" hand (switching hands) and then center, using the swallow and hold to flatten my adams apple and pulling the skin to either side. Low pressure, low angle.

As you get in more shaves the "problem areas" will shrink down to a couple that are the size of your thumb pad or a matchbook - and this will be the "touch up" with the DE at first and the DX before you know it.

The strokes, stretches, hand positions and head tilts will just become part of a routine - you will have to stop and think about what you did because your "beard map" and stroke pattern will merge in to your muscle memory.

You can shave with your dominant hand only, but for me it is much much easier to use both hands, and the sooner you learn that the easier it comes together.

If no-blade practice has been helping you then "weak hand" passes might be a place to focus on.

One of the things that helped me was switching from rinsing the blade in the sink to stropping off the lather on a damp cloth on the counter.
I would focus on the sink and faucet and it not only slowed me down, in the beginning I would have to ask myself "what was I doing last?"
If you watch a Barber shave someone they never turn to the sink, they clear the blade on a towel or even their forearm.
The hot water rinse is saved for the end.

And from your posts you have made great progress without the benefit of an in-person mentor.
Keep doing what you are doing and by February you will have the hardest part long behind you.

Smooth Shaving and Happy New Year....

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Great tip on wiping off the lather, I used a sponge and it was great.

Had a mixed shave today, tried a different soap. I forget the name of it but the lather disappears very fast but funny enough it's still slick even after it disappears, I want to use it all up ASAP unless I can find another use for it. I just want to use my cella again. So anyway I had to keep re applying the lather which was very annoying. Completed 2 passes WTG, right side great, left side needed touching up, thought I would do the touch up with my right hand using the DX rather than the DE. Nice to break free from the DE. No cuts today.

Will do some blade free practice for ATG, still waiting for the proguards before attemting this, sure to be bloody.

I don't have any wine corks as I rarely drink wine but like the idea of this.

Thanks again guys.

I can only speak of my experience with true straights as I've never used a shavette. I was probably 12 or so shaves into my journey before I began to realize just a small hint of the potential of straight shaving. Thereafter every 6-10 shaves I would experience a dramatic improvement in technique and results. So, it does take some time to learn this thing. The only advice I would offer to someone that wants to straight shave, is to get a straight razor. Don't get a safety razor (the route I took, and spent a lot of money!), and don't get a shavette. The only way to get good at straight razor shaving, is to use one.

Didn't know where to put this so I figured I might as put here.

Tip for any newbs:
At the heel where the blade holder attatchment meets the holder, even though it is inplace correctly, before shaving check that there is ZERO gap. Especially if going XTG or ATG, if there is a gap,even a tiny gap for me anyway it tends to catch and pull.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedGladiator

Didn't know where to put this so I figured I might as put here.

Tip for any newbs:
At the heel where the blade holder attatchment meets the holder, even though it is inplace correctly, before shaving check that there is ZERO gap. Especially if going XTG or ATG, if there is a gap,even a tiny gap for me anyway it tends to catch and pull.

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Good tip, you catch one or two hairs from your Mo in that gap you will squeal like a pig under the gate...as they say..

SUCCESS. 20ish (been playing with the mongoose) shaves in, 3 passes, WTG XTG ATG, no cuts nick or weepers.

Just to confirm correct method.
WTG: Right hand-right side, left hand-left side
XTG: Right hand-left side, left hand-right side
ATG: Right hand-left side, left hand-right side

That's what I've been doing anyway. Dividing the face right down the middle.

I have been using a shavette off and on for 50 years. I've owned all the Feathers and now a Kai Captain. Here is the best advice on how to learn using a shavette. Take your shavette, without a blade, lay it flat on your face and slowly angle the razor until you feel the razor tip touching your face. That is the starter angle. Now slowly make 2-3" strokes on your check. WG, Across and against the grain. Keep going through this process until you feel comfortable holding the razor. I started with a pro-guard when I got my feather. It's like training wheels. When you use the razor with the blade, start on you cheeks only. Remember, angle and pressure. These blades a deadly sharp so no pressure is better then to much pressure. It's a journey, there will be bumps in the road.