Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club
- Thread starter wintoid
- Start date
I have bought blades from here, no issues.
wintoid
Out of control
Day 38 - Feather Artist Club DX with Kai Protouch MG
Another hybrid shave. First pass WTG with the Feather, second pass ATG with an SE, third pass XTG with the Feather. That's extremely close and completely lacking any irritation. Credit to the SE is due, of course. It does make me wonder if I couldn't find a way to go ATG with the Feather.
The Feather is useful in this situation because it's much better under the nose. That's also useful learning for me, because it's one of the places I have least confidence with the Feather. The guarded blades make this a non-event really.
Another hybrid shave. First pass WTG with the Feather, second pass ATG with an SE, third pass XTG with the Feather. That's extremely close and completely lacking any irritation. Credit to the SE is due, of course. It does make me wonder if I couldn't find a way to go ATG with the Feather.
The Feather is useful in this situation because it's much better under the nose. That's also useful learning for me, because it's one of the places I have least confidence with the Feather. The guarded blades make this a non-event really.
The Gentleman
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This is a great thread @wintoid.
I've made a lame effort a few years ago to learn how to shave with straights, but I don't have the time or lust to clean, strop, hone etc. And the flimsy shavettes that uses half DE blades never interested med, but these razors that uses AC blades and looks more like a real straight razor is another thing. I was planning to buy one and start practice this summer when I have a month off from work and Corona stops all travels. But now I think I'll buy one earlier
I've made a lame effort a few years ago to learn how to shave with straights, but I don't have the time or lust to clean, strop, hone etc. And the flimsy shavettes that uses half DE blades never interested med, but these razors that uses AC blades and looks more like a real straight razor is another thing. I was planning to buy one and start practice this summer when I have a month off from work and Corona stops all travels. But now I think I'll buy one earlier
wintoid
Out of control
Thanks, I'm really glad you and others have enjoyed itThis is a great thread @wintoid.
I've made a lame effort a few years ago to learn how to shave with straights, but I don't have the time or lust to clean, strop, hone etc. And the flimsy shavettes that uses half DE blades never interested med, but these razors that uses AC blades and looks more like a real straight razor is another thing. I was planning to buy one and start practice this summer when I have a month off from work and Corona stops all travels. But now I think I'll buy one earlier
wintoid
Out of control
I'm wondering about my next tactic. Given that I think I will be doing hybrid shaves, I'm thinking that will mean the first pass will be a WTG with the Feather, and the second/third passes with whatever razor I'm playing with. This would mean I could switch to unguarded blades, and gain more and more experience of WTG, which is *relatively* safe. Then in a month or two's time, I might feel confident enough to try XTG again with an unguarded blade.
NeilJ
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5th shave with the AC today. Managed another 3 pass shave although I caught myself a couple if times again. Used a thinner lather this time (DR Harris Arlington) which seemed to work well. Apart from the nicks it was another very close comfortable shave. I'm getting no irritation whatsoever. I'm even going ATG on my neck as I find it difficult to shave my neck XTG using the shavette. I actually find that I can get closer on my moustache area than a DE due to it not being as bulky under the nose. Still far from where I want to be at but enjoying the journey immensely.
wintoid
Out of control
That's the great revelation for me
I wish I had that problem. I'm sure if I could find a way to go ATG, my shaves would be better.
NeilJ
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Apart from the cuts where I have caught myself I've noticed a definite improvement to my skin and wondering why this is. I'm certainly not shaving on un-lathered areas and not going over the same spot more than once so perhaps that is why. DE's do sort of lull you into a false sense of security whereas there is no margin for error with the AC. I am now thinking further ahead and wondering if my DE might just be used for quick shaves. I am currently furloughed so have all the time in the world but once hopefully back in work perhaps it'll be the DE on work days and shavette on days off. Looking even further ahead I can definitely see myself getting my first proper straight but need to master this baby first.
wintoid
Out of control
Interesting. I've found that I do take multiple strokes, probably far more than with a DE, and some of those will be "unlathered" although still very slick. The reason is that when I bring the blade to my face, only the central part actually makes contact with my rounded face, and so I need to go (for example) north-to-south multiple times, gradually bringing the blade east-to-west for each individual stroke and slightly altering the angle. Does that make sense?
Of course that doesn't happen on the spots where I'm able to stretch enough to get a nice flat area.
Of course that doesn't happen on the spots where I'm able to stretch enough to get a nice flat area.
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wintoid
Out of control
Day 39 - Feather Artist Club DX with Schick Proline (hybrid shave)
I'm enjoying my SE at the moment, so only one pass with the Feather today. I rotated blades though (sounds like a ninja). I binned the Kai Proguard from the Feather, and took the Proline out of the SE (which had three shaves on it) and put it in the Feather. I then put a Super in the SE.
Just the first pass was with the Feather AC, and it was a simple WTG pass followed by two ATG passes with the SE. Feeling my face after that first pass, I was a little disappointed. I'd hope to get closer. After the SE passes, I had no complaints. I'm not giving up though, the SE is just showing me what the blades are capable of!
I'm enjoying my SE at the moment, so only one pass with the Feather today. I rotated blades though (sounds like a ninja). I binned the Kai Proguard from the Feather, and took the Proline out of the SE (which had three shaves on it) and put it in the Feather. I then put a Super in the SE.
Just the first pass was with the Feather AC, and it was a simple WTG pass followed by two ATG passes with the SE. Feeling my face after that first pass, I was a little disappointed. I'd hope to get closer. After the SE passes, I had no complaints. I'm not giving up though, the SE is just showing me what the blades are capable of!
The Gentleman
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A Feather Artist Club SS (folding) ordered, so soon the journey begins
UKRob
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Interesting that you report improved skin. I used straights more or less exclusively for five or six years but nowadays it’s more SE with the occasional straight razor. Very rarely I use a DE blade and, although the shave is very good, I too noticed a difference in how my face feels afterwards - i.e. not so good as after an SE or straight shave. I really don’t know why this should be but perhaps it’s a combination of DE blades being both thinner and more flexible. The other possibility is that DE blades, being mass produced by machine, have a microscopically small jagged edge that causes irritation over time. Interesting topic anyway.
NeilJ
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It is interesting Rob and I have really noticed the difference, I'm getting a closer shave but with no irritation at all. I'm still struggling to master the chin area and caught myself a couple of times there again which is a bit frustrating but seeing how well my skin looks I'm determined to get to grips with it.