Thread: Feather as training for straight

I am thinking of buying a feather razor to help me learn to shave with a traditional straight. I have been using a traditional straight for about six months, but I still get much better shave with my Merkur DE. The three variables in a good straight razor shave seem to be (1) beard prep, (2) skill with razor, and (3) sharp razor (well honed and stropped). It would seem that using a feather would ensure that variable (3) sharp razor is always optimal. Thus, I can focus on beard prep and shaving skill without worrying that my problems stem from a dull blade. I had my straight sharpend by Lynn Abrams, but that still does not ensure a good blade because the razor dulls over time and poor stropping technique can dull a well honed razor very fast.

What do you guys think?

I think its faulty logic. Do you think driving an automatic car is good experience to learn how to drive a standard?

Well, if Feathers gave you a consistently sharp edge you could perhaps focus more on blade angle, stretching and so on. But I think one big problem is that you'd lose out on learning how to strop. If you're shaving with feathers you won't learn proper stropping.

Also I've read that the geometry of the Feathers is a bit different from a traditional straight, so what works with a feather might not work with a straight.


I hope someone with experience using both traditional straights and the Feathers will post. I may very well have overlooked something.

I've spent a few months with traditional straights, but recently I got a feather to try. I was blown away with the shave I got from the feather. Beat anything I have ever had with a traditional straight. They are diffrent because the feather requires the lightest touch possible. As far as learning to use a traditional by using the feather, I would say it gives you some idea of the angle and the ability you need with a traditional straight. However, it is much sharper, and it isn't exactly the same method that I use with a traditional straight (I streatch less and use diffrent angles with the feather).

You might spoil yourself on the featherif you get used to it because you can never achieve the sharpness (including the lubrication on the edge, etc.) that you get with a feather, on a traditional straight. That being said there is a razor out there for everyone, look around and find yours even if its a bic.

you will get good shaves with either a feather or a straight.
Your right about not having to worry about stropping or honing,but you may find that the shave with the feather doesn't last as long. ive also expierienced more itching as the beard grows back after using a feather.
I feel the main advantege with using a feather for beginners is that it teaches you to keep a light touch to your shaving technique.
My own expierience is that the feather improved my technique & this has led me back to using smaller blades to get superior results .
Dont forget to keep the angle shallow &the touch light when using the feather as it will bite you quicker than a straight.
Iuse my feather for travelling use as it keeps my bag light & I wont be upset should it go astray.Paul

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think its faulty logic. Do you think driving an automatic car is good experience to learn how to drive a standard?

short answer is, YES.
For the most part its not hard to teach someone stick if they already know how to drive, There are exceptions to every rule.

I tried to do the exact same thing (learn to shave with a straight using a feather) and you will end up learning to shave all over again when you go to a straight. I think the feather is a pretty cool tool, they are super-sharp, you will feel zero drag, and you can get good shaves (but be carefull or you will get irritation also), but they are not like real straights. You will have to change your technique when you swich to a real straight anyway so I suggest you practice your honing and stropping skills instead of spending more money.

"Never retreat. Never surrender!"

~ Captain Peter Quincy Taggart

You're accelerating the practice on shaving technique but removing stropping practice.

I started with the feather because all the maintenance of stropping and honing looked pretty intimidating but a lot of the appeal of the straight razor (I think now) is the maintenance and care of a single non-replaceable blade. It is an extremely satisfying experience when you finally get your blade shave ready and you get a real good shave from a blade that you honed and stropped. I was using my feather as my back-up while I was learning to hone and strop my straights. I suggest that you use your DE as a back-up (instead of spending more money on a feather) until you get this down.