Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club
- Thread starter wintoid
- Start date
UKRob
Forum GOD!
There
There may well be something in that. When it comes to straight razors I find 5/8” to be the minimum I can use comfortably but prefer 6/8” as it seems more natural. I do own a couple of 7/8” but they seem a bit more cumbersome - which is not just to do with size as wider blades also seem to come with bigger spines so the weight increase is not proportional to the size increase.
NeilJ
Forum GOD!
Well rather frighteningly it's been coming up to 6 months from the start of Simon's thread and I was just wondering how all those who previously used the Feather AC and those who have joined the club since the thread started find the AC razor/blade system? I for one am a total convert, I am getting lovely close and comfortable shaves and enjoy them more than using my DE. I think it took me around 25-30 shaves to feel competent using it. It is a steep learning curve but very rewarding. I only shave WTG and XTG (3 passes) and still manage to get BBS and my skin has never felt better.
I'd be interested to know from other users especially those who have tried the SS and the DX which do you prefer and do the different razors suit a certain blade more? I have only very limited experience as I have only used the SS folding and either a Feather Pro or Schick Prolines, my preference is the Prolines by far. I'm intrigued by the DX, it is a far bit more expensive than the SS, does it offer a superior shave? Is the build quality higher?
Neil
I'd be interested to know from other users especially those who have tried the SS and the DX which do you prefer and do the different razors suit a certain blade more? I have only very limited experience as I have only used the SS folding and either a Feather Pro or Schick Prolines, my preference is the Prolines by far. I'm intrigued by the DX, it is a far bit more expensive than the SS, does it offer a superior shave? Is the build quality higher?
Neil
Cheesepiece
Stickler
Pro Supers work fine for me in the Kai folder.
I'm a convert too. Having given this method the attention and dilligence it requires I've found this to be one of the closest, most comfortable shaves I can have while being the most enjoyable when it all goes right.
I have DE, SE and cartridges on standby should I be pushed for time but that's rare given that a single pass with the AC is good enough for most occasions if one were in a squeeze.
6 months since picking up the shavettes again and, while I do like to switch it up, I'll now always keep a blade in the AC because it's so easy, comfortable and enjoyable. It's no more effort than DE for me.
I'm a convert too. Having given this method the attention and dilligence it requires I've found this to be one of the closest, most comfortable shaves I can have while being the most enjoyable when it all goes right.
I have DE, SE and cartridges on standby should I be pushed for time but that's rare given that a single pass with the AC is good enough for most occasions if one were in a squeeze.
6 months since picking up the shavettes again and, while I do like to switch it up, I'll now always keep a blade in the AC because it's so easy, comfortable and enjoyable. It's no more effort than DE for me.
Merkurologist
Forum GOD!
I'm also a convert but from another angle, I was already a conventional SR shaver that doesn't enjoy the blade stropping part of shaving. The FAC SS has certainly been a revelation that has a secured spot in my rotation of DE,SE, and SR.
The Schick Proline is the chosen blade for me although the Feather Pro gets better and better with shaves, today I shaved for the 11th time with a Feather Pro and it was a fantastic shave, aa smooth as the Schick Proline (from first shave). The Feather Super it's not really my cup of tea, it's very good at cutting hairs but also very harsh on my skin.... maybe it's an angle / technique thing..... I shall find out
The Schick Proline is the chosen blade for me although the Feather Pro gets better and better with shaves, today I shaved for the 11th time with a Feather Pro and it was a fantastic shave, aa smooth as the Schick Proline (from first shave). The Feather Super it's not really my cup of tea, it's very good at cutting hairs but also very harsh on my skin.... maybe it's an angle / technique thing..... I shall find out
wintoid
Out of control
That is quite scary! I think I've had 90 or so shaves with a Feather in that time, but I'm using it less and less. I wanted a nice big thorny problem to solve during lockdown, and I was definitely entertained by learning for a good while there.
The culmination of the project for me is that I discovered that there are very few blades I like in the Feather handles. I almost bought a Kai handle, but didn't. I almost bought a straight, but didn't. My interest has started to wane a bit, not just in the Feathers, but also in shaving in general. I've been around the block enough times to know that it will be resurgent at some point, and I'll no doubt take it up again.
As for DX vs SS, I personally don't think it's a decision worth wasting much time over. They both feel really well made to me, but the DX is heavier. That's about it. As I never transitioned to a proper straight, I couldn't tell you whether the DX is truly closer to the straight experience.
Merkurologist
Forum GOD!
I also went through a phase that I lost interest in shaving and that coincided with some health issues but eventually the interest came back.
Maybe you need to take a break from shaving.
Thank you for clarifying the DX and SS question for me, I don't think I'll bother with a DX.
UKRob
Forum GOD!
One option regarding the DX is to buy a clone for less than £10 or thereabouts. I know that the CJB is decent enough quality but is about £18 and comes as a non folder. I’ve ordered three of these as a project for the autumn - I’ll put them in scales and sell them on to anyone who prefers a folding version.
Cheesepiece
Stickler
Please let me know how you get on with this. I'd be interested most certainly.
NeilJ
Forum GOD!
I think we all go through phases where we lose a bit of interest then along comes a new razor or soap and the interest is rekindled. I'm happy with the AC for the foreseable future although I've been doing lots of reading and watching videos on honing which I find fascinating so perhaps that will be the next step I take.
wintoid
Out of control
I've been wet shaving 35 years, and I don't think I've skipped more than a day ever because I hate being stubbly
But yes, I'm sort of taking a break from focusing on it so much. It's still enjoyable, just not currently an obsession.
Merkurologist
Forum GOD!
Occasionally I let the beard grow for 3 or 4 days and then I shave.... I think those are the most enjoyable shaves of all. The wife complaints so I don't do it more often.I've been wet shaving 35 years, and I don't think I've skipped more than a day ever because I hate being stubbly
vates
Legendary Member
Great news!
wintoid
Out of control
Day 91 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard blade (1)
I think this must be about the third time I've gone "I wonder why I don't use those guarded Feather blades more" and then tried one, only to end up disappointed.
Maybe I'm rusty already, after slowing down with the Feather razors quite a bit. Saturday is always a good day for a shavette shave. Three passes with the DX, going WTG/XTG/ATG. The blade felt a bit rough to me, maybe it will get smoother. I usually think of the Feather as being supremely comfortable, if not always that close, but today it was a bit uncomfortable for me. Some soreness. Obviously my technique must be partly to blame. Not sure if I'll use the same blade again, it doesn't seem worth it.
I think this must be about the third time I've gone "I wonder why I don't use those guarded Feather blades more" and then tried one, only to end up disappointed.
Maybe I'm rusty already, after slowing down with the Feather razors quite a bit. Saturday is always a good day for a shavette shave. Three passes with the DX, going WTG/XTG/ATG. The blade felt a bit rough to me, maybe it will get smoother. I usually think of the Feather as being supremely comfortable, if not always that close, but today it was a bit uncomfortable for me. Some soreness. Obviously my technique must be partly to blame. Not sure if I'll use the same blade again, it doesn't seem worth it.
Cheesepiece
Stickler
Kai folder and the Feather Pro Super still going strong.
With and hybrid X/Atg pass today. Good and close. Effortless again as usual.
I think that's a mind over matter thing though, as I perceive the AC shaves before having undertaken them to be more time consuming or difficult but there is a sense of achievement afterward, the levels of which are never for me replicated with DE. That's even though I'm now, upon reflection and from post-shave perspective, finding AC shaves totally effortless.
With and hybrid X/Atg pass today. Good and close. Effortless again as usual.
I think that's a mind over matter thing though, as I perceive the AC shaves before having undertaken them to be more time consuming or difficult but there is a sense of achievement afterward, the levels of which are never for me replicated with DE. That's even though I'm now, upon reflection and from post-shave perspective, finding AC shaves totally effortless.