Thread: First shave with the Feather AC RG Special

Thanks to Axel I am now the owner of a feather AC...whether or not I'm a proud owner, only time will tell.

It came in the mail today and I couldn't wait to try it. Unfortunately I got a great shave yesterday morning so I probably should have waited another day or so...but what the heck.

All I have to say is, damn those blades are sharp! Even with an excellently honed straight I can hear my whiskers being cut...this guy just sails along like it's nobody's business though. Oh, I should mention that I used the professional blades, although I have some of the supers and the pro-guards as well.

Right now my face is slightly irritated, more so than after shaving with a regular straight, but then again, I never shave two days consecutively, so I know that doesn't help. No cuts, but about 4 or 5 nicks that bled a little (nothing some cold water couldn't fix...I was very careful, keeping the blade as flat as possible and using very little pressure.


After a WTG and ATG pass, my face was feeling slightly raw, so I decided to call it quits without really getting my chin BBS. After rinsing off I dumped a handful of Clubman's Bay Rum in my hand and threw it on my face...I love that calm sensation after the burning subsides

Oh, and here's a couple pics for those who are interested...
Not safe for dialup!

Also have one quick question. I rinse my razor off instead of wiping it on a towel. Should I be concerned about water in the mechanism? If I let a blade go for 7 shaves, then the water will just sit there...is this something to be concerned about? Should I take the blade out and dry the mechanism?

Haven't seen anything on this topic, so thought I'd ask...

Cheers,

Kyle

It's fine to leave the water in there. Every few months just take it apart and clean out the soap scum buildup.

Originally Posted by Quatsch

Also have one quick question. I rinse my razor off instead of wiping it on a towel. Should I be concerned about water in the mechanism? If I let a blade go for 7 shaves, then the water will just sit there...is this something to be concerned about? Should I take the blade out and dry the mechanism?

Haven't seen anything on this topic, so thought I'd ask...

Cheers,

Kyle

You'll find the shave will get better as you get more shaves in with the same blade. I get at least 10 shaves per blade. I do open the mechanism and dry everything, blade too, as part of my clean up. I don't know if it's necissary, but I feel better about it(part of my compulsive disorders). It's a great shaver, but beware on the 1st shave with a new blade. OUCH!

The Feather is actually made out of brass and coated with something metalic, so it doesn't seem to corrode. I suppose the blade could rust, but I haven't taken any precautions to prevent it and nothing has happened. The blades are probably coated, too.

As others have said, the Feather really is different. Insanely light pressure is very important. I usually lower the blade angle, too.

I've also noticed that the Feather requires a different approach to shaving for me. For example, on my neck I usually go straight down with a regular straight on the first pass. With the Feather I do better to go up first. So don't assume that whatever works for your straights is optimal with the Feather.

It definitely adds some variety.

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I've also noticed that the Feather requires a different approach to shaving for me. For example, on my neck I usually go straight down with a regular straight on the first pass. With the Feather I do better to go up first. So don't assume that whatever works for your straights is optimal with the Feather.

It definitely adds some variety.

Josh

Next shave I'll have to give that a shot on my neck...see how it does.

The touch with the feather is definitely much different from a regular straight...now I just have to wait for my hair to grow back :P

-Kyle

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I've also noticed that the Feather requires a different approach to shaving for me. For example, on my neck I usually go straight down with a regular straight on the first pass. With the Feather I do better to go up first. So don't assume that whatever works for your straights is optimal with the Feather.

It definitely adds some variety.

Josh

Sorry I'm so late to the conversation. Anywho, I was hoping I could get some more info on the difference in strokes. I remember when I got a professional shave with a feather the barber did go against the grain on my neck but I just figured it was because he was that frickin good so I didn't bother trying it. Has anybody else tried this?

I had my second shave with my new DX (SMF group buy) this morning. I find I've got to use different hands for certain passes than I do with a regular str8. The shave today stubbled in 13 hours, pretty good for my beard. The corked pro blade did not give me any irritation at all. I was able to use the same angle as my traditional str8s, with no nicks. I will state that I have fairly tough skin, and have never had to stretch my skin to get a BBS shave. So YMMV. I'll have to try the first pass on the neck ATG tomorrow. I could really get used to a japanese-style str8. Hmm, I wonder if Robert would...


Wayne

I have a Feather Artist Club DX, which was given to me as a gift, and from which I get my best shaves. After use, I shake the water out, dry it carefully on the towel, and put it back on the shelf open a bit, so that it might dry out more easily. I haven't noticed a trace of corrosion or anything else undesirable. It is truly a fine razor.

-denis

Hi,

glad you like it The Feather really is a different beast, compared to a traditional Str8. A very light touch and a limitation of passes for me is the clue to get a comfortable shave. The good news is, given the sharpness of the blade the light touch and only one or two passes are fully sufficient to get BBS...

Have fun,
-Axel-