Thread: Feather straight- good for learning how to shave with a straight?

I just ordered a Feather SS folding razor. I've had a few traditional straights laying around for a year or so, but I've yet to get the hang of them. I'm always really paranoid that I've dulled them by stropping them incorrectly. I don't know anyone else who using or attempts shaving with a straight, so I don't have any local experts to trade notes with in person. I know a lot of my issues are that I just don't consistently try to use it; I'll do it on a day when I have plenty of time to experiment, but then don't pick it up again for a month or even more before trying again. I was thinking that maybe using the Feather with the disposable blades would at least ensure that I'm starting with a proper sharp and shave ready blade every time. Is the technique much different that with a traditional straight? Do you think its a good idea for me to try to get down some good shaves with the Feather before going back and attempting with the traditional straight again?

It can help. But, those feather blades are sharp. I believe the angle will be similar, but only have experience with the cheap Shavettes. I learned on the Shavette and went to real straights really easily.

I've found using the Feather AC SS to be a great help in learning how to manoeuvre the blade around my face and leave the important bits attached. It takes the stropping uncertainty out of the equation. The blades are good for 10+ shaves and are best with a few shaves done.
Enjoy it!

logan,

The Feather SS is a good quality disposable blade razor. It can definitely help you to perfect your technique with a traditional straight.

The SS as opposed to the DX model has a slightly thicker transition from the razor holder/holding mechanism. I find it takes a little higher angle of attack than a traditional, or DX Feather, but is a very capable razor and provides a comfortable and satisfying shave.

You can transition from it to a traditional straight fairly easily, but remember that a traditional razor will, generally, require a less steep angle of the blade.

Also, and a plus in the learning curve, you'll have to have a very light touch with the Feather...or it'll, well, whack you up. Seems the name almost describes the lightness of pressure. If you master this light touch.....it will very much help in the transition to a regular straight, since a properly sharpened regular straight also requires that light touch.

Remember, lightly shave the soap from your face and the whiskers will go too.

and let us know how it goes!!

Best Regards,

Howard

I bought the Feather DX initially as my travel razor; but have them now also in my rotation at home.

Even if the SS version weighs less, it is still closer to a traditional straight razor than Dovo-style shavettes (that I also tried and quickly established I didn't care for).

The Feather requires a light touch, in particular when putting it on the skin and - if anything - a slightly shallower angle when shaving. Putting it down with pressure will result in cuts more easily than a conventional straight.

The (I use the Professional or Pro Super) blade is very sharp and tends to feel harsher on the first two shaves than a straight. Because of its sharpness, skin stretching helps to avoid nicks and cuts, which is crucial for any straight razor shave

In a way, the DX is less forgiving than a straight and a proficient DX shaver should have no problems with a traditional straight.

The SS is engineered slightly differently; the handle feels less than a straight and the lip design of the blade holder is meant to reduce the risk of cuts due to insufficient skin stretching.
Compared to he DX, this model may therefore feel less than a straight but should make the shave somewhat easier.


B.

I started with the Feather shavettes and they are ok for getting the correct pressure. As for the shave, the angle on the shavette is steeper and if you approach a regular straight with that angle you will really cut yourself. Learn the pressure and pulling the skin with the shavette then move on. I suggest watching videos from Lynn Abrams and GeoFatBoy to learn the right way to shave with both. A straight razor shave is an art form. You need to learn the honing, stropping and shaving technique. It takes time but I enjoy the straight over the shavette anytime.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

I started with the Feather shavettes and they are ok for getting the correct pressure. As for the shave, the angle on the shavette is steeper and if you approach a regular straight with that angle you will really cut yourself. Learn the pressure and pulling the skin with the shavette then move on. I suggest watching videos from Lynn Abrams and GeoFatBoy to learn the right way to shave with both. A straight razor shave is an art form. You need to learn the honing, stropping and shaving technique. It takes time but I enjoy the straight over the shavette anytime.

Great advice! I started with half DE blade shavettes and just had to try full on straights. Most gents seemed to agree that a straight is more forgiving that a shavette. Correct, the angle is clearly not the same. Getting nicked and cut with a shavette is easier to do IMHO. But if you learn on a shavette I have found that going to a straight is a rather simple switch. As jkatzman says here, it is an art form. I took the leap and went to straight razor shaving and honing at the same time. It's a challenge, but I love it and will stick with the straight over the shavette for the most part.

I can't comment on the shavettes, but you could ask someone with experience to look over your blade to see what if anything your Stropping does, even if you don't want to use the razor daily yet you could send it to someone for a honing and then strop it daily and send it back after a month or so for an assessment. If you told them what you intended they may keep some images for comparison.
I did this with my first razor and was pleasantly surprised to find that I had done no harm I did all of this through the mail.

Like much of life -the Feather vs Conventional Straight is a series of trade-offs.

The Feather gives you low maintenance, no stropping/edge care and a crisp new edge is only moments away.
They are efficient - brutally so if you loose your focus.

Conventional Straights are more daily care but for me more forgiving and flexible - I like being able to tune each one a little at a time.

When I have to restrict my kit down to the smallest, for a trip with not a lot of space, it's a DX Folding and a pack of Kai PINK. I know I could shave for nine months + with a razor and blades that take up as much room as a toothbrush case and a pack of gum.

And I also know I will miss those new and old Straights in the off side of the Partners desk where they wait.

In the end it is what works for you, and with patience and practice you can get great results with all of them.

Smooth shaving...

I have owned all the Feather razors and now have a Kai Captain which is equal to a DX but much less in price. The Shavettes help you understand the importance of light pressure and angles. After that, there is no comparison. I get a much better shave with my straights. It is actually easier to shave with. The weight, blade and feel are completely different on a straight razor. The major difference is also the angle of the blade. A straight is held flatter to your skin. If you shaved with a straight like you do with a shavette you will be in a world of hurt. A well honed straight can go many months before a refresh. I use a SRD modular strop which makes it very easy to maintain a razor with little chance of screwing up the edge.