Thread: "Modern" SR shaver?

Originally Posted by FoliageFace

One quick follow up, I want to say that the reason I like the Feather isn't just the reduced maintenance; I also just find that it gives me the most consistently awesome shave with the least amount of irritation. As far as I can tell, for my face sharper is better, and all the stars have to really be aligned for a traditional Straight To have that kind a edge.

All the stars dont have to be aligned, you just need to have the right guy honing your straight. I had a guy honing my blades who had no idea how to do it, and it was not fun. After having Outback hone one, I know what a sharp blade really is.

Interesting and thought-provoking post!

I think you've 'curated' the very best of efficient modern technology with a traditional feel.

I'm a huge fan of Feather blades-I've shaved with their DE blades since they were released into the US market as well as the Artist Club in SE razors (also the FHS for the OneBlade). Phenomenal blades.

A synthetic brush? As much as I hate to admit it, the modern ones can just conquer any soap no matter how finicky.

And a good cream is a joy.

Having said all of that, there are so many ways to enjoy this hobby. I sometimes LIKE the challenge of a dense badger brush and a triple-milled soap. I think it's very cool that I shaved this morning with a blade that was in use during Civil War times. I've come to enjoy the various rituals like stropping. I enjoy the challenge of honing, although I've only begun acquiring skills in that area.

All of that takes time and attention, of course-luxuries in this day and age. Great fun, too.

You've winnowed it down to gear that takes little to no maintenance (synthetics dry so quickly, no honing or stropping of a Feather AC, etc.) while keeping the aesthetic, if you will, of a traditional straight razor shave. Very cool merging of the old and new.

I have a friend that can shave with a straight razor in 10 minutes or less before going to work.

It takes me about an hour to shave though as I am very meticulous.

Originally Posted by AnglesMatter

I have a friend that can shave with a straight razor in 10 minutes or less before going to work.

It takes me about an hour to shave though as I am very meticulous.

That's about right, if I'm in a hurry, face lather, quick strop and I can be perfectly shaved and out the door in 10 minutes....I find now using a DE makes more mess and take more time for me to shave...LOL.

But I shave at night, so I can chillax, take my time and pick the razor I want, the soap I want, and get a nice warm scuttle so the lather is nice and warm.

Works out well in my family, after dinner, wife grabs her bath, I do my shave, having said that, she can have a bath and be sitting back downstairs in like 5 minutes...I like to take my time a bit more, but lately I've been getting, "Hurry up, or I'll turn the show on without you....!" lol

"Hurry up, or I'll turn the show on without you....!" lol

That sounds fun! You should shave slower next time to see if she keeps her word.

Gentlemen,

The Feather Artist Club is a marvelous razor. I use it from time to time, not because I don't like stropping, or find maintaining my traditional straight razors a chore; rather, I use it because it is a superb shaver. What's more, after using top line badger brushes for years (Wiborg, Thater, Simpson, etc.), I use strictly synthetic brushes.

As for shaving fast because we're short on time, no, not me. NO! I get up a little early, in that case, to have the time to fully enjoy my shave. That means creating lather in my scuttle, spending time lathering, because I find it the best part of the shave, and then taking my sweet time with my razor, whether a straight, AC or safety.

For me, traditional shaving, and seven days a week, is one of life's greatest joys. I am not about to rush it. I prefer to savor it, as I would a great meal and a bottle of wine.

I fade away in the shave den for about an hour every day. For me, everything stops in that hour except for my shave and my thoughts. That's what's so sweet about traditional shaving and taking your time with it.

Obie,

That was very enjoyable to read. I am up for a shave myself today and I am looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by MrZ

All the stars dont have to be aligned, you just need to have the right guy honing your straight. I had a guy honing my blades who had no idea how to do it, and it was not fun. After having Outback hone one, I know what a sharp blade really is.

I have to say that has not been my experience. I have had several high quality razors honed by several reputable honemeisters, and while those blades have undoubtedly been quite keen, and given good shaves, very rarely have I had one match a fresh Feather blade. The Feathers just glide in a way that I only very rarely get from a traditional straight. If you have a feather, try putting in a fresh blade, and and skim your arm hair at a few millimeters above the skin; when I do this, I don't even feel the hairs get cut, they just fall away. Not trying to dog on traditional blades, I love my straights, but I do think that Feather blades are a level of sharpnes that is very difficult to achieve in a traditional blade; And while I totally understand that sharpness doesn't always equate to smoothness, for my beard I generally find that the sharper, the better.

Originally Posted by FoliageFace

I have to say that has not been my experience. I have had several high quality razors honed by several reputable honemeisters, and while those blades have undoubtedly been quite keen, and given good shaves, very rarely have I had one match a fresh Feather blade. The Feathers just glide in a way that I only very rarely get from a traditional straight. If you have a feather, try putting in a fresh blade, and and skim your arm hair at a few millimeters above the skin; when I do this, I don't even feel the hairs get cut, they just fall away. Not trying to dog on traditional blades, I love my straights, but I do think that Feather blades are a level of sharpnes that is very difficult to achieve in a traditional blade; And while I totally understand that sharpness doesn't always equate to smoothness, for my beard I generally find that the sharper, the better.

It is funny how different people can have such a different experience. Feather blades are my blade of choice. I have tried many different DE blades and persona blue and feathers are my preferred DE blades. However, I have found that my best straights are not only as sharp delivering a shave result just as smooth as my feather blades but also with much much less irritation. I dread using my DE and shavette now but will still use them once in a while in memory of my Sister but that’s it.
It also takes me just a few minutes to get a beautiful shave complete with maintenance. So you can see there are different results for different people. You just have to find your OWN way and enjoy it.

I find my straights will actually pop the tips of my arm hair right off. Perhaps they aren’t quite as sharp as a new Feather but they do get extremely close