UKRob
Forum GOD!
I refer you to post #62. To paraphrase what you say above there’s no rationale for the jump in improvement.
Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club
- Thread starter wintoid
- Start date
wintoid
Out of control
That's *really* interesting, Rob, isn't it? Your experience is almost identical to mine. I could almost have written what you wrote. The only question is whether I'm right that it relates to pressure.
Do other experienced straight/Feather users use any lateral pressure when shaving?
Holyzeus
Forum GOD!
So. It’s been a long time since I used a straight but I was more than ok with cheeks and neck so I loaded a Proguard and shaved away with abandon.
Nice and close, no problems apart from I’d forgotten just how awkward some strokes are when your view is obscured.
Bugger it, let’s go for the top lip, ouch. Let’s continue with the SE shall we...?
End result. Very close shave, way closer than I expected.
Two small nicks and one Mo**** Fu**** on the top lip that refused to stop bleeding..
Nice and close, no problems apart from I’d forgotten just how awkward some strokes are when your view is obscured.
Bugger it, let’s go for the top lip, ouch. Let’s continue with the SE shall we...?
End result. Very close shave, way closer than I expected.
Two small nicks and one Mo**** Fu**** on the top lip that refused to stop bleeding..
UKRob
Forum GOD!
Talcum powder is good for those cuts that don’t respond to other treatments. There was a time when I was on blood thinning medication and used it regularly as even a minor nick was difficult to staunch. The first time I tried it, there was only Athlete’s Foot powder available - it worked well with no unpleasant after effects.So. It’s been a long time since I used a straight but I was more than ok with cheeks and neck so I loaded a Proguard and shaved away with abandon.
Nice and close, no problems apart from I’d forgotten just how awkward some strokes are when your view is obscured.
Bugger it, let’s go for the top lip, ouch. Let’s continue with the SE shall we...?
End result. Very close shave, way closer than I expected.
Two small nicks and one Mo**** Fu**** on the top lip that refused to stop bleeding..
View attachment 68506
Holyzeus
Forum GOD!
Yep that used to be the last resort. Nothing like walking around with white powder around your moosh
The Gentleman
Forum GOD!
Day 9 - Feather Artist Club SS with Schick Proline
Monday, and as planned only the first pass (WTG) with the Artist Club, now loaded with a brand new Schick Proline. All spots of the face/neck seems easy for me when going WTG. No exceptions this morning. It's the rest I need to practice on
The blade felt good, but i guess is when ATG I really could tell if I like it or not. Schick Proline has been one of my favorite blades when using SE razors.
Monday, and as planned only the first pass (WTG) with the Artist Club, now loaded with a brand new Schick Proline. All spots of the face/neck seems easy for me when going WTG. No exceptions this morning. It's the rest I need to practice on
The blade felt good, but i guess is when ATG I really could tell if I like it or not. Schick Proline has been one of my favorite blades when using SE razors.
wintoid
Out of control
Day 50 - Feather Artist Club DX with Kai Protouch MG guarded
A good shave. Not quite as good as yesterday, but it definitely proves this is no fluke.
Three passes, WTG/XTG/pseudo-ATG. Due to time constraints, I was running the bath during the first WTG pass. I wanted to hear the blade during the XTG and ATG passes.
Below the lower lip was one of the first areas I learned to shave well. I bite my lower lip as I shave, and that keeps the skin really taut for the WTG pass. It's always been very successful, but now that the rest of the shave is coming together, this area is going to need some ATG attention to catch up with the rest of my face. I haven't yet had the nerve, but I'm getting more confident, so perhaps tomorrow.
The place that was the last area to learn is under the nose. Today I shaved from the edges of my mouth inwards towards my nose, on both sides. This is mostly ATG, and it's how I shave with a DE or SE. Skin stretching for this is actually really easy, and I got a superb result here.
So cheeks and upwards is as good as it gets, except for the area between my mouth and my chin, which needs work.
Under the jawline is mostly very good with a few patches. I think this just requires me to pay a little more attention. I'm learning every day, so I'm confident this will get better.
I note that people often say it takes 100 shaves to get good with a straight. I'm not saying I'm good, but I'm definitely massively more confident than I was a week ago. I feel like I'm over the hump.
A good shave. Not quite as good as yesterday, but it definitely proves this is no fluke.
Three passes, WTG/XTG/pseudo-ATG. Due to time constraints, I was running the bath during the first WTG pass. I wanted to hear the blade during the XTG and ATG passes.
Below the lower lip was one of the first areas I learned to shave well. I bite my lower lip as I shave, and that keeps the skin really taut for the WTG pass. It's always been very successful, but now that the rest of the shave is coming together, this area is going to need some ATG attention to catch up with the rest of my face. I haven't yet had the nerve, but I'm getting more confident, so perhaps tomorrow.
The place that was the last area to learn is under the nose. Today I shaved from the edges of my mouth inwards towards my nose, on both sides. This is mostly ATG, and it's how I shave with a DE or SE. Skin stretching for this is actually really easy, and I got a superb result here.
So cheeks and upwards is as good as it gets, except for the area between my mouth and my chin, which needs work.
Under the jawline is mostly very good with a few patches. I think this just requires me to pay a little more attention. I'm learning every day, so I'm confident this will get better.
I note that people often say it takes 100 shaves to get good with a straight. I'm not saying I'm good, but I'm definitely massively more confident than I was a week ago. I feel like I'm over the hump.
NeilJ
Forum GOD!
I have had a busy few days so haven't really been up to speed on this thread but it seems everybody is making good progress with their AC's. I received my Schick Proline P30's on Friday so was eager to see how they compared to the Feather Pro blades, the answer is very favourably, for me anyway. Had my best shave to date, 3 passes and just 1 cut to my chin again. My face feels BBS on about 80% of my face and neck with no irritation again which does seem to be my main revelation of these razors.
The Schick blade on inspection looked crude compared to the Feather but it is a lot more forgiving yet still achieved a close shave, with the Pro there is no margin for error. Going ATG on the tip of my chin is a no no for now, I just seem to catch it every time.
The Schick blade on inspection looked crude compared to the Feather but it is a lot more forgiving yet still achieved a close shave, with the Pro there is no margin for error. Going ATG on the tip of my chin is a no no for now, I just seem to catch it every time.
wintoid
Out of control
Day 51 - Feather Artist Club DX with Kai Protouch MG guarded
The puzzle I've been trying to solve is how come I'm able to be more aggressive with the DX than I thought. I was expecting this to be an SS only technique. Last night, I decided to do a single pass with the DX and the Proline, ATG, to see if that more aggressive technique would still work. It didn't. I cut myself.
For that reason, I wanted something mild to shave with today. When I actually thought about it, in some ways the Feather with a guarded blade is about as mild a razor as I have. So that's what I used.
WTG/XTG/quasi-ATG. Once again, above the jawline is really top notch. I'm still not going ATG below the lower lip, but otherwise, the top half of my face is really great. Below the jawline, again pretty good but some patches, and not the same patches as yesterday. Evidently there's still some room for improvement.
But as usual, a good and comfortable shave. Thought for the day - why not stick with guarded blades? I probably won't be getting a straight anyway (famous last words).
The puzzle I've been trying to solve is how come I'm able to be more aggressive with the DX than I thought. I was expecting this to be an SS only technique. Last night, I decided to do a single pass with the DX and the Proline, ATG, to see if that more aggressive technique would still work. It didn't. I cut myself.
For that reason, I wanted something mild to shave with today. When I actually thought about it, in some ways the Feather with a guarded blade is about as mild a razor as I have. So that's what I used.
WTG/XTG/quasi-ATG. Once again, above the jawline is really top notch. I'm still not going ATG below the lower lip, but otherwise, the top half of my face is really great. Below the jawline, again pretty good but some patches, and not the same patches as yesterday. Evidently there's still some room for improvement.
But as usual, a good and comfortable shave. Thought for the day - why not stick with guarded blades? I probably won't be getting a straight anyway (famous last words).
The Gentleman
Forum GOD!
Day 10 - Feather Artist Club SS with Schick Proline
Same as the last two days, only one pass WTG and the rest of the shave with a DE. I've noticed that it doesn't matter which hand I use. It feels as good with the right as with the left (I'm left handed). We have a holiday in Sweden on thursday and I'm off work on friday so a long weekend coming up. Looking forward to those four days with full Artist Club shaves.
Same as the last two days, only one pass WTG and the rest of the shave with a DE. I've noticed that it doesn't matter which hand I use. It feels as good with the right as with the left (I'm left handed). We have a holiday in Sweden on thursday and I'm off work on friday so a long weekend coming up. Looking forward to those four days with full Artist Club shaves.
wintoid
Out of control
Day 52 - Feather Artist Club DX with Kai Protouch MG guarded
The shaves are getting to be better than I would get from most razors now, and definitely more comfortable. At the same time, it takes longer, and it's much harder work. Although my confidence has grown, I still don't feel completely comfortable pushing against the grain on areas that are remotely fleshy, even if I'm stretching. I'm also sticking with more pressure than I was expecting to use for now, but this may have to be revisited when (if I ever) I make the transition to unguarded blades.
The moustache area, in particular, is awesome. Not sure how I'll feel about this part of my face with an unguarded blade though.
Three passes, WTG/XTG/pseudo-ATG. Very comfortable. Very close. For the first time I went ATG (south to north) under the lower lip. I remember now, I don't even shave this part ATG with a DE usually, because it's the only part of my face where I might feel ingrowing hairs. It also does this weird thing where little bumps/spots of blood appear, without actually getting cut as such. No blood today, but I'm reminded that I don't really like ATG here. Perhaps I will just decide not to do that, as I did with DE/SE razors also.
Jawline is good today, but a few patches on the lower neck that could see some improvement. Shave gets a 9/10 from me!
The shaves are getting to be better than I would get from most razors now, and definitely more comfortable. At the same time, it takes longer, and it's much harder work. Although my confidence has grown, I still don't feel completely comfortable pushing against the grain on areas that are remotely fleshy, even if I'm stretching. I'm also sticking with more pressure than I was expecting to use for now, but this may have to be revisited when (if I ever) I make the transition to unguarded blades.
The moustache area, in particular, is awesome. Not sure how I'll feel about this part of my face with an unguarded blade though.
Three passes, WTG/XTG/pseudo-ATG. Very comfortable. Very close. For the first time I went ATG (south to north) under the lower lip. I remember now, I don't even shave this part ATG with a DE usually, because it's the only part of my face where I might feel ingrowing hairs. It also does this weird thing where little bumps/spots of blood appear, without actually getting cut as such. No blood today, but I'm reminded that I don't really like ATG here. Perhaps I will just decide not to do that, as I did with DE/SE razors also.
Jawline is good today, but a few patches on the lower neck that could see some improvement. Shave gets a 9/10 from me!
The Gentleman
Forum GOD!
Day 11 - Feather Artist Club SS with Schick Proline
Only the first pass today as well and the rest with a DE. Two small cuts on my chin (actually my first cuts with the AC). Definetly a pilot error, but I feel that getting a close shave on the chin could take a while to master. Looking forward to next four days, off work, when I can do full shaves.
Only the first pass today as well and the rest with a DE. Two small cuts on my chin (actually my first cuts with the AC). Definetly a pilot error, but I feel that getting a close shave on the chin could take a while to master. Looking forward to next four days, off work, when I can do full shaves.
NeilJ
Forum GOD!
Last nights shave with my SS and Schick Proline was my best shave yet, I definitely feel more confident using the Schick blades. 3 passes and the first time no blood has appeared. I didn't attempt to go against the grain on my chin but to be honest feeling it now 18 hours later I honestly don't think I'll ever need to. My moustache area is far closer than I can get with a DE. The only area I go ATG is my neck now. I hit a point last week where I did feel a bit demoralised but after only 2 shaves using the Schicks I think this will now become my preferred method of shaving unless in a rush. I get a very close irritation free shave without going ATG on my face which can only be good for the skin.
wintoid
Out of control
I think you're way further along than I was in much less time than it took me, so I wouldn't be demoralised at all! That said, you've definitely got to be in it for the long haul.
Cheesepiece
Stickler
Well my Kai has arrived but I've only got two shaves on the Personna shaper blade in my Dubl Duck and they last 5 or more shaves so it might be a while before it gets an outing.
Looks great though and I suppose it gives me time to get some AC blades in from the recommendations in this thread.
I only have one type in at the moment and they came bundled with my Univinlions kamisori so I've no idea what sort of quality they are.
Today was a bit of a step backwards, still a very acceptable shave but I don't know if I was distracted or what but WTG pass was fine and then the 2nd mostly XTG pass was of much lesser quality and oftentimes my grip felt awkward and I was applying undue pressure or even catching myself round the nose with the toe of the razor. Unusual but hopefully a swift return to normality in the next shave. Everyone has their off days.
Looks great though and I suppose it gives me time to get some AC blades in from the recommendations in this thread.
I only have one type in at the moment and they came bundled with my Univinlions kamisori so I've no idea what sort of quality they are.
Today was a bit of a step backwards, still a very acceptable shave but I don't know if I was distracted or what but WTG pass was fine and then the 2nd mostly XTG pass was of much lesser quality and oftentimes my grip felt awkward and I was applying undue pressure or even catching myself round the nose with the toe of the razor. Unusual but hopefully a swift return to normality in the next shave. Everyone has their off days.