First shave - Feather AC

Just finished my first straight razor shave and it was with a Feather AC. It took me 35 minutes but no cuts, nicks or weepers! Had a few spots where the Feather wanted to skip on my neck, but I believe it was definitely operator error. I did 2 XTG passes and a few touchups and am pleased with the shave. I do not do a WTG pass with any type of razor. The WTG pass does not seem to reduce my stubble so a few months ago I stopped the WTG pass completely.

I have some "real" str8 razors on their way to me and looking forward to how they compare to the Feather. However, right now I am pleased with The Feather and myself!! :D

I've been learning on the Feather myself and I'm finding I can't get a regular straight to shave anywhere near as well. I hope I haven't ruined the whole straight experiance for myself. The stropping and honing and whatnot are all part of the whole thing and I'm not getting it.

I believe that I will continue with the Feather for a couple of weeks and see how it goes. I have read that if you can shave with Feather the transition to a regular straight will be easier. I am expecting my regular straights to start coming in today. It will be tempting to use them because I am also looking forward to the stropping and honing to get the full experience.

Hope it works out.

Before I got a real straight, I practiced with a Parker shavette, while it's cheap and far from the Feather AC quality, those who have used both says they gives similar results.
Personally I found using the real straight quite a bit easier, less chance of cutting yourself, smoother(when I figured out the angle), I tried using a Feather in the Parker, disaster, too sharp and it punished me badly with cuts and bad burn, but with the Shark SS that came with it, the shaves have been allright.
So if you manage with the Feather, you'll probably handle a real straight with little trouble.

So if you manage with the Feather, you'll probably handle a real straight with little trouble.[/QUOTE]


That is what I am hoping !!

I'm sure you will! :)

I love the whole ritual of using a real straight, stropping and the zen-like experience of using a piece of vintage steel to shave. Can't wait to start honing them myself as well :)

The Feather AC feels sharper (and harsher) than any well-honed straight. However, with a light touch (and a shallow angle), it will shave brilliantly.

I now use 'regular' straight only, but that's because I like the whole experience of straight shaving. Just based on performance, there's no need to switch away from the Feather AC system, if it works for you.

If nothing else, it will teach you to use a light touch. :)

It just feels as though the real Str8 isn't doing anything. The Feather is so effortless that a Str8 is like trying to push a car up hill.

Just finished my second shave. Better than the first ! I did learn that I have to increase the angle in some spots because the Feather seems to suck at my skin if I lay it flat. Also, went with a little wetter lather.

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Originally Posted by gsurko

It just feels as though the real Str8 isn't doing anything. The Feather is so effortless that a Str8 is like trying to push a car up hill.

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I've never used a Feather so I can't speak to that, but a well honed and stropped razor should have no problem shaving you clean. I've had a 5-week playoff beard (go Sharks!) that came off easily with a single pass of my razor. So while a Feather may do the job even better, a traditional straight razor in proper condition shouldn't have any problems either.

I'm not giving up. I do want to this just for the sake of doing it. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about.

You'll do fine!! Any one who can handle a Feather 1st time without doing any un- scheduled Rhinoplasty is NOT going to have any trouble with a regular Str8. And to those who are thinking of giving up, don't, stick with it, it's a skill like any other, and all the good ones take time, believe me, it is worth it!

Keep up the good work and a daily BBS for all!

tinkersd of SRP

This morning was shave #8 with the Feather. Still liking the results! I did have to change the blade this morning as I noticed the blade starting to pull a little bit at the end of yesterday's shave.

Just off the top of my head I was wondering how many shaves did you get on that blade before you had to change it??? When I use a DE safety[sometimes] I do very much like the Feather DE blades, sharp just the way I like it, the a Str8 is right off the finishing stones!!

tinkersd

feather ac blades last incredible long.. i mostly do single pass shaves and can go 3 weeks without a blade change.. i think with 3 pass shaves.. the average is about 7.

they definitely last longer than the feather de blades.

Pops nailed it. The Feather blades I use in my DX lasts incredibly long. I can easily get 7-10 three pass shaves of my entire head off of them. No DE blades is anywhere near that longevity. For reference, I use the Super professional and the professional versions. They are super sharp, very smooth and lasts real long:)


Via TapaTalk

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Originally Posted by tinkersd

Just off the top of my head I was wondering how many shaves did you get on that blade before you had to change it??? When I use a DE safety[sometimes] I do very much like the Feather DE blades, sharp just the way I like it, the a Str8 is right off the finishing stones!!

tinkersd

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I got 7 shaves on the professional blade. Each shave was 3 passes. I might could have stretched it for another shave but did not want to risk it.

So you guys are happy you have started with the Feather system by the sounds of it? I think thats a great way to get started. Tell me; it looks like the feather has a solid head, giving it some more weight/ballance than a standard shavette?
Sam

I shaved already twice with my new KAI Captain Excellia(similar to Feather). It was not that difficult and I had a lot of fun. I am experienced DE shaver, but haven't tried a straight razor before. Considering to buy a real straight soon. Will spend a lot of time reading this forum.
I have a questions: Are there any articles and videos about shaving with only one hand with a straight? It is very difficult for me to hold the razor with my left hand.

I used my left hand for the first time this morning on the left side of my face and neck. It really helped with some of those hard angles I was creating by using only my right hand. I would suggest trying your off hand if you have not done so. It really makes a huge difference.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kossi

I have a questions: Are there any articles and videos about shaving with only one hand with a straight? It is very difficult for me to hold the razor with my left hand.

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When I started with the Feather, I played around with the left hand using the razor without a blade! Much safer!

It does take some getting used to but it comes.

Gareth

i've been using the feather artist club for going on 2 years.. i'm one of those guys that for some reason has never had a need to use my non dominant hand..

right hand holds the razor.. left hand stretches.. face gets shaved..

works for me.

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It just feels as though the real Str8 isn't doing anything. The Feather is so effortless that a Str8 is like trying to push a car up hill.

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I am new to straight razor shaving (Dec. 2010) and have tried both the Feather AC and the straights. I found the same situation that you encountered - the Feather seemed more effortless and gave a smoother shave. I was a little dumbfounded because the other folks in the forum were reporting wonderful, comfortable shaves with their straights. But that spurned me on to find out why the Feather gave such a great shave as opposed to my straights. I won't go into a lot of detail (partly because I don't understand at this point design elements of a razor - maybe a veteran of the forum could explain) but somehow the design of the Feather and it's super sharp blades produce a smooth, comfortable shave. I began to review different aspects of my technique and preparation. I began digging around the wiki and videos to see if I was missing something and found one aspect of my prep that was different from what I observed. The method I was using to strop my straights was definitely different from the video presentation. I modified my method to match what I learned and I saw a noticeable improvement in my straight razor shaves. So much so that my shaves with my straights matched the shaves I got with the Feather.

My point is that sometimes it can be one thing that makes a difference and when you find that "thing" you can make a big leap forward in your shaving results. The challenge, and it can be frustrating, is that in digging to find that one thing it can take time. You've come to the right place because I know the folks here are more then willing to help.

Just give yourself some time mixed with patience. I was almost ready to give up straight razor shaving about 3 months ago but I thought, "What if I was on the verge of getting that great shave and I stopped short." It wasn't to much longer that I got my first BBS shave.

Randy

A good video:
YouTube - ‪One Handed Straight Razor Shave, pt. 1.‬‏

I started with a Feather and did indeed find the transition to a traditional straight easier. Even now, I keep a feather (or KAI) in my rotation as I find it helps me keep my touch light.

You can get away with a heavier touch with a traditional straight than you can with a Feather or KAI. One shave with the disposable keeps my hand light.

I use both the regular str8 and the Feather DX (non folding). For me the Feather Non Folding DX has 2 advantages that I like. With the non folding I can shave one handed, no problem. With the str8, I have learned to use the left hand for the left side of my face and neck. The Feather is also shorter than any str8 I have. The blade is 2" long and I find maneuvering much easier than a str8. The DX is well balanced and has the right amount of weight to make shaving with it a pleasure. The down side is that the blades are incredibly sharp. Shave without staying focused and you will pay the price.