The negative pressure comment is a good one--you'll be surprised how little pressure you actually need with a Feather.

Also, try varying the direction of your strokes more. For example, with a regular straight I can and do go N-S on my first pass, from sideburns to the base of my neck. The beard on my lower neck grows upwards, so this is actually an against the grain pass there. A well honed straight can handle this ATG on the first pass, but the Feather punishes me for that. I have to reverse direction and go upward for that first pass on my neck.

Also, my WTG stroke on my cheeks is different with the Feather. I got from my cheekbones back down toward my jaw by my ear--it's a slant. With a straight, I just go N-S.

Have fun,
Josh