Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club

[wintoid]

Simon, I hadn‘t come across the Paradigm before but noted your comments. Can I ask which model you have and whether you have any other SE razor to compare against. I have the Mongoose, Razorock and Colonel so if you can provide comparisons against these it would be ideal.

Hi Rob,

I think there's only one Paradigm SE, so far as I know. I bought it originally when it came out and found it too mild and sold it on. I subsequently repurchased it, intending to give it as a gift to my brother, and ended up falling in love with it and keeping it for myself! #greedy

Talking only about Feather AC SE razors, I've used the Mongoose (sold) and alumiGoose v1 (sold) and have a Razorock Hawk A plate, and Generals in aluminium and stainless. I've still got several Executive Shaving Claymores (v1 and v3), and the Enoch and HIRAM from Classic Shaving. I sold the Blackland Vector. So I have a reasonable amount of experience with other AC SEs.

There are a few reasons why I reach for the Paradigm first. The first reason is that it loves to go ATG, with minimal scrapey feeling. I pretty much always do 3x ATG passes with the Paradigm. The second reason is I like the blade loading system better than the others. The Hawk is an absolutely superb razor, but I hate loading it. The third reason is that the polished titanium of the Paradigm feels almost naturally slippy and smooth, it's just luxury. Finally, the Paradigm SE is the only SE I would ever use for the fool's pass (under the nose, south-to-north). I just never feel like I can hurt myself with it, no matter how hard I try, and the shave is effortlessly close.

If my house was burgled and my razors stolen, I'd probably buy a Razorock Hawk A plate to tide me over until I could find another Paradigm.

I don't know how much that helps, as it's kind of personal. I would say that the challenges with the Paradigm have been getting right into the corners under my nose (which I do by going east-to-west and west-to-east usually). Practically all issues can be solved with the Paradigm by just "going for it" a bit more aggressively than you would with another razor. It's really a kitten.

I used to say I preferred the Feather Super blade in the Paradigm, but nowadays I really have no blade preference. It just works well with anything. I'm forever wondering why I use anything else.

 

[wintoid]

P.S. I've always wanted to try the Asylum SE but never found one in the UK at a price I was prepared to pay. My interest in buying shaving stuff has waned now, so I'm unlikely to explore this ever.

 

[MrK1]

P.S. I've always wanted to try the Asylum SE but never found one in the UK at a price I was prepared to pay. My interest in buying shaving stuff has waned now, so I'm unlikely to explore this ever.

From personal experience, you are not missing out on anything by not trying the Asylum SE.
It is a very aggressive razor.

 

[Rowlers]

From personal experience, you are not missing out on anything by not trying the Asylum SE.
It is a very aggressive razor.

And rough....

 

[wintoid]

Returning to this thread after all these years, just to say that for several months now I have shaved mostly with a Tedalus Essence FAC razor. I always wondered why we never saw people professing to have moved to FAC razors, but it turns out I am someone who has moved to them. All I know is that it's now the most comfortable way for me to shave.

One day I'll get a proper straight and learn to hone it.

 

[Twelvefret]

Returning to this thread after all these years, just to say that for several months now I have shaved mostly with a Tedalus Essence FAC razor. I always wondered why we never saw people professing to have moved to FAC razors, but it turns out I am someone who has moved to them. All I know is that it's now the most comfortable way for me to shave.

One day I'll get a proper straight and learn to hone it.

For me, there was never any difference between using a shavette and a straight as the same skills are necessary. If honing is also a hobby interest, I would recommend it, but if you think you will have a different experience, I will question the move.

 

[GoReds]

It is very difficult to go to straight razor after being used to shavettes in my opinion. Even if you like a straight razor, get a Weck and some persona hair shaper blades and you will match a straight razor.

However there is a sort of deeper feeling when you hone ans strop ans shave with a straight razor. Some people collect a lot of stones and hones and razors just to create the edge that they like. A shavette user enjoys a ready made meal, a straight razor user spents time to prepare his meal.

 

[Twelvefret]

It is very difficult to go to straight razor after being used to shavettes in my opinion. Even if you like a straight razor, get a Weck and some persona hair shaper blades and you will match a straight razor.

However there is a sort of deeper feeling when you hone ans strop ans shave with a straight razor. Some people collect a lot of stones and hones and razors just to create the edge that they like. A shavette user enjoys a ready made meal, a straight razor user spents time to prepare his meal.

I know you are stating your opinion, "It is very difficult to go to straight razor after being used to shavettes in my opinion", but I would like to read more. Why was it difficult for you? This past week I used the Feather and the ones I honed interchangeably and found they performed the same.

So far, the ones I honed have not had to be re-honed. If, in the future, re-honing is required, I know how, but right now I just strop before using. One practice I use in to make sure the razor is fully dried before putting it in a box or storage container.

My experience and what I recommend to new straight razor users is to start with a shavette. I say this because I have seen the results of someone trying to learn to shave and hone at the same time.

 

[R181]

My experience and what I recommend to new straight razor users is to start with a shavette. I say this because I have seen the results of someone trying to learn to shave and hone at the same time.

That is why they are two separate and distinct types of razors.

Bob

 

[Twelvefret]

That is why they are two separate and distinct types of razors.

Bob

I didn’t provide any reason why they are separate and distinct. They perform the same for me. YMMV…lol!

also, it’s good to disagree. The reader can then have two perspectives and decide how to move forward.

 

[R181]

I didn’t provide any reason why they are separate and distinct. They perform the same for me. YMMV…lol!

also, it’s good to disagree. The reader can then have two perspectives and decide how to move forward.

Certainly, they do perform their intended function the same as any other type of razor does and that is whisker removal.

Bob

 

[Twelvefret]

Certainly, they do perform their intended function the same as any other type of razor does and that is whisker removal.

Bob

Well, not exactly. A straight razor of any type has no safety mechanism. We rely on our proprioception, angle, pressure for example.

 

[R181]

Well, not exactly. A straight razor of any type has no safety mechanism. We rely on our proprioception, angle, pressure for example.

Any razor type having an exposed blade which is a requirement to be able to shave whiskers has no safety mechanism. All these types of razors also depend on the operator using the right angle and pressure on the blade.

Bob