Thread: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.