Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club

[The Gentleman]

I skipped a day yesterday as I wanted to shave this morning.

This morning's shave was excellent, 2 passes only, WTG and XTG. I have realised that I do not need to go AGT to get a nice close shave. I even got nice and close on the chin area which is a bonus.

I think today's shave was a turning point for me, I still caught myself a couple of times but only very minor nicks. I know know which directions to shave to avoid irritation yet still get a closer shave than my Feather AS-D2. Apart from where I had caught myself there was no sting from the alum at all. I kept in my mind the video earlier in the thread where the woman is shaving the female client with an absolute feather-like touch, for me this is the secret. I'm not sure if the lather had any bearing on my shave but the consistency of the DR Harris soap really seemed to suit the AC.

Great news! Keep up the good work

 

[Zwilling]

I'm still a newbie really, and I've never used a proper straight, so do take that into account with my comments.

I spot 2 things different really. The first is that the DX is noticeably heavier. The second is that when I use lateral pressure, the SS feels different on the face to the DX.

In terms of difference in the final result? I don't have any reason to recommend one over the other. It's ridiculous that I have more than one Feather really, having accumulated a Chinese SS copy, a Scotchwood SS, a plastic DX and a wood (teak?) DX... all folders. Any of those would be fine on their own. They are pretty though!

Really helpful, thanks!

 

[The Gentleman]

Day 18 - Feather Artist Club SS with KAI Protouch MG

Today I did a full shave, two passes and touch ups, with the Artist Club. Overall a great result. Best so far on my right side of the neck where I've problem because I have to attack from right to left. The area around the adams apple is a tough one still. Cheeks feels very smooth and the moustach area has never been a problem. It could a bit smoother, but absolutely good enough. The chin is the toughest part. A few tiny nicks (but that's not any problem), but I've some trouble to get a close shave there and it feels tuggy with all different blades I've trid so far. Much easier with a DE. But, only 18 days in in this journey and I performed a full shave before work with a good result. About 10 mins slower than with a DE, but this will be better

 

[wintoid]

Day 58 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard

Well that's weird. I had 2 days off, and today was a bloodbath. I'm not saying I cut myself exactly, but there were weepers all over the place. I don't get it. I know a bad workman blames his tools, but I'm wondering if it was either the blade, or perhaps my lather wasn't up to scratch (I used a very popular big-name artisan American soap that I don't particularly rate). I checked the blade, it was definitely loaded fine, and it was a brand new blade too.

WTG/XTG/ATG today, and a little sore. Disappointing. I hope it's a fluke, and doesn't relate to me taking 2 days off for DE shaving. Not particularly patchy today, but I'm not enjoying feeling my face because it's sore. A sore face is a very unusual thing for me.

 

[NeilJ]

Day 58 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard

Well that's weird. I had 2 days off, and today was a bloodbath. I'm not saying I cut myself exactly, but there were weepers all over the place. I don't get it. I know a bad workman blames his tools, but I'm wondering if it was either the blade, or perhaps my lather wasn't up to scratch (I used a very popular big-name artisan American soap that I don't particularly rate). I checked the blade, it was definitely loaded fine, and it was a brand new blade too.

WTG/XTG/ATG today, and a little sore. Disappointing. I hope it's a fluke, and doesn't relate to me taking 2 days off for DE shaving. Not particularly patchy today, but I'm not enjoying feeling my face because it's sore. A sore face is a very unusual thing for me.

I'm sorry to hear this Simon, I've not tried the Proguards but for my limited experience the first shave with a new blade can be a little harsh. My last two shaves have been a huge improvement since I keep in mind to use as little pressure as possible, might just be coincidence but it's working for me.

 

[NeilJ]

Well I had my best shave with the AC to date, by some distance too. I'm feeling more confident now and have dialled down my method to what works best for me, no more experimenting with angles or pressure. Two passes WTG and XTG, no blood whatsoever which is a first and a very nice close comfortable shave. The result today is why I wanted to try the AC, close and comfortable without needing a third pass which can sometimes give me irritation.

I'm not sure whether it was a coincidence but I really nailed my lather today. I'm usually a face latherer but decided to bowl lather my Bodyshop Maca Root with Aloe Vera. I got it so that it was really glossy with no air bubbles whatsoever and it rinsed off my blade easily which I have to be honest hasn't always been the case with some of my recent lathers. It might be a route I'll continue as I feel it gives me a bit more control.

 

[Cheesepiece]

Well I had my best shave with the AC to date, by some distance too. I'm feeling more confident now and have dialled down my method to what works best for me, no more experimenting with angles or pressure. Two passes WTG and XTG, no blood whatsoever which is a first and a very nice close comfortable shave. The result today is why I wanted to try the AC, close and comfortable without needing a third pass which can sometimes give me irritation.

I'm not sure whether it was a coincidence but I really nailed my lather today. I'm usually a face latherer but decided to bowl lather my Bodyshop Maca Root with Aloe Vera. I got it so that it was really glossy with no air bubbles whatsoever and it rinsed off my blade easily which I have to be honest hasn't always been the case with some of my recent lathers. It might be a route I'll continue as I feel it gives me a bit more control.

2 passes was and remains my aim too. I dislike the third which often feels like chasing rainbows. It's a case of diminishing returns for me as when I cut the shave short at two passes, do my postshave routine and feel the result I'm usually best pleased. In the third I rarely improve the shave and only afford myself the time and space nick or irritate my skin.

 

[Cheesepiece]

Day 18 - Feather Artist Club SS with KAI Protouch MG

Today I did a full shave, two passes and touch ups, with the Artist Club. Overall a great result. Best so far on my right side of the neck where I've problem because I have to attack from right to left. The area around the adams apple is a tough one still. Cheeks feels very smooth and the moustach area has never been a problem. It could a bit smoother, but absolutely good enough. The chin is the toughest part. A few tiny nicks (but that's not any problem), but I've some trouble to get a close shave there and it feels tuggy with all different blades I've trid so far. Much easier with a DE. But, only 18 days in in this journey and I performed a full shave before work with a good result. About 10 mins slower than with a DE, but this will be better

Have you got the blade in motion when you go at the chin? What I find is that from a standing start, so to speak, the AC can be much less forgiving in and around my chin when starting the motion at the hairs themselves. If the blade is already moving when wheni reach the stubbly bit it tends not to catch, drag or bite.
I hope you understand my meaning.

 

[The Gentleman]

Have you got the blade in motion when you go at the chin? What I find is that from a standing start, so to speak, the AC can be much less forgiving in and around my chin when starting the motion at the hairs themselves. If the blade is already moving when wheni reach the stubbly bit it tends not to catch, drag or bite.
I hope you understand my meaning.

I understand and I probably use a standing start
Something to focus on tomorrow. Thanks

 

[NeilJ]

2 passes was and remains my aim too. I dislike the third which often feels like chasing rainbows. It's a case of diminishing returns for me as when I cut the shave short at two passes, do my postshave routine and feel the result I'm usually best pleased. In the third I rarely improve the shave and only afford myself the time and space nick or irritate my skin.

That’s exactly my thought process.

 

[wintoid]

Day 59 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard

I woke really early today, so I have time to shave without the bath water running, so I could hear the sound of hairs being cut. Unfortunately, it didn't help much. Today's shave might have been very slightly better than yesterday's, but basically it's not an experience I want to repeat. I removed and replaced the blade to be sure it wasn't something wrong with the loading.

Same thing. Weepers coming from nowhere, and a sore feeling when I've finished. I was using the same soap and the same blade. I think perhaps tomorrow I am going to bin that blade (after only 2 uses!) and go with something else. I will probably also push the soap back into the storage box from whence it came! I never really liked that particular soap anyway, despite the hype.

Anyway, 3 passes WTG/XTG/ATG and reasonably close. A sore face and lots of weepers. If it had been like this at the beginning, I think I would have given up.

 

[NeilJ]

Day 59 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard

I woke really early today, so I have time to shave without the bath water running, so I could hear the sound of hairs being cut. Unfortunately, it didn't help much. Today's shave might have been very slightly better than yesterday's, but basically it's not an experience I want to repeat. I removed and replaced the blade to be sure it wasn't something wrong with the loading.

Same thing. Weepers coming from nowhere, and a sore feeling when I've finished. I was using the same soap and the same blade. I think perhaps tomorrow I am going to bin that blade (after only 2 uses!) and go with something else. I will probably also push the soap back into the storage box from whence it came! I never really liked that particular soap anyway, despite the hype.

Anyway, 3 passes WTG/XTG/ATG and reasonably close. A sore face and lots of weepers. If it had been like this at the beginning, I think I would have given up.

It sounds like it could be a dud blade Simon, it took me a couple of days for my skin to recover after a rough shave the other week.

 

[Ventastic]

Thanks to this thread I am soon to try this new method of torture.

A question. Does it make sense to cork a blade before it‘s first use? Another possibly stupid question. Can guarded blades be corked?

 

[The Gentleman]

Day 19 - Feather Artist Club SS with KAI Protouch MG

Two passes and touch ups for my best shave so far. The chin was very good today, much better than before. Cheeks and moustache area very good again and the neck is good, but it would have been better if I've used a DE. But, it's getting better and better. And it was a irritation free shave with zero Cuts or weepers. I'm very happy with my progress. Tomorrow I think I'll try a real straight razor.

 

[wintoid]

Thanks to this thread I am soon to try this new method of torture.

A question. Does it make sense to cork a blade before it‘s first use? Another possibly stupid question. Can guarded blades be corked?

I've never corked a blade, but definitely interested to hear the answers