Burgundy
Forum GOD!
Good point - hadn’t really thought of that!
Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club
- Thread starter wintoid
- Start date
UKRob
Forum GOD!
When I started using straights I decided to use them daily but, initially having a cartridge at hand to finish off the awkward parts. My experience was that the quality would suddenly jump to a whole different level with no discernible difference - in those days I used the same razor and soap combination. One day, the end result was superb and it stayed that way - I was probably a couple of months in having shaved 5 or 6 times a week. I still don’t understand why the improvement was in a step change rather than gradual, maybe it’s just me.
wintoid
Out of control
Sounds great! Hope it goes that way for me.
I’ve been reading about coupe de maitre today so going to try to be braver on the moustache tomorrow.
UKRob
Forum GOD!
On an American forum one guy said he could perform the coupe de maitre with his eyes closed. When I looked at the definition it said it was the process of inserting a tube into the bladder via one’s penis - so I thought he must be pretty good to do it with his eyes shut, but then it occurred to me that I’d want to shut my eyes if I attempted it.
wintoid
Out of control
Day 11
Feather Artist Club SS with Kai Protouch MG guarded blades
Slightly lost my nerve today. I decided I wasn't really up for doing under the nose, so I went back to a DE for that. On the other hand, I naturally fell into a slightly different grip, with only one finger on the shank, and the rest on the tang (am I naming those parts right, I see some confusion about which part is the tang online). I found 2 advantages from this grip. Firstly, it seems to really encourage me to shave lightly. Secondly, I feel like I have more rotational control, and going round edges like the chin seems much more natural and less tuggy. I wouldn't say the shave was any better, at the moment, but I'm definitely going to play with this grip a bit more.
As ever, the shaves with this combination are really comfortable, and I didn't cut myself at all.
Feather Artist Club SS with Kai Protouch MG guarded blades
Slightly lost my nerve today. I decided I wasn't really up for doing under the nose, so I went back to a DE for that. On the other hand, I naturally fell into a slightly different grip, with only one finger on the shank, and the rest on the tang (am I naming those parts right, I see some confusion about which part is the tang online). I found 2 advantages from this grip. Firstly, it seems to really encourage me to shave lightly. Secondly, I feel like I have more rotational control, and going round edges like the chin seems much more natural and less tuggy. I wouldn't say the shave was any better, at the moment, but I'm definitely going to play with this grip a bit more.
As ever, the shaves with this combination are really comfortable, and I didn't cut myself at all.
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UKRob
Forum GOD!
The tang is the area in front of the pivot up to where the spine begins. The piece behind the pivot is known as the monkey tail. I’ve never used the term ‘shank’ but I suppose it could be synonymous with tang.
As regards holding a straight razor, this obviously varies depending on what part of your face is being shaved. The starting point for me is thumb underneath the tang with first and second fingers in front of the scales (which are at 90 degrees) and third finger behind the scales. On the non dominant side I open the scales fully and hold the sides of the tang until I get to the stage where I can use the normal hold of fingers pointing towards the face. Going ATG under the jaw line is the normal hold but reversed i.e. using a push rather than pull stroke.
As regards holding a straight razor, this obviously varies depending on what part of your face is being shaved. The starting point for me is thumb underneath the tang with first and second fingers in front of the scales (which are at 90 degrees) and third finger behind the scales. On the non dominant side I open the scales fully and hold the sides of the tang until I get to the stage where I can use the normal hold of fingers pointing towards the face. Going ATG under the jaw line is the normal hold but reversed i.e. using a push rather than pull stroke.
wintoid
Out of control
Thanks! So many people have given so much useful information. I'm grateful to everyone.
wintoid
Out of control
Day 12
Feather Artist Club DX with Kai Protouch MG blades
I really fancied mixing it up a bit, but didn't want to ruin all my good progress, so I decided the least risky most interesting course of action would be to try the DX instead of the SS. I'm still too scared to do the moustache area regularly, and especially didn't fancy it with the DX, so I stuck to the usual three pass shave all WTG with a little XTG on the dominant side, skipping the moustache.
I can't tell any difference between the SS and the DX. Not sure what that says about my technique.
A comfortable shave with no cuts was had. I wouldn't say the DX was closer than the SS, but it certainly wasn't any less close either.
I'm wondering just how much these guarded blades are protecting me.
Feather Artist Club DX with Kai Protouch MG blades
I really fancied mixing it up a bit, but didn't want to ruin all my good progress, so I decided the least risky most interesting course of action would be to try the DX instead of the SS. I'm still too scared to do the moustache area regularly, and especially didn't fancy it with the DX, so I stuck to the usual three pass shave all WTG with a little XTG on the dominant side, skipping the moustache.
I can't tell any difference between the SS and the DX. Not sure what that says about my technique.
A comfortable shave with no cuts was had. I wouldn't say the DX was closer than the SS, but it certainly wasn't any less close either.
I'm wondering just how much these guarded blades are protecting me.
JamieM
Extreme sharpness is ephemeral!
All guarded blades cover up your lack of technique, they will put you in the comfort zone, for me, it's all about sharpness, the Feather Lite blades were a big let down there is a big difference between the guarded and the Feather Pro, for me the Feather Pro is on a completely different level.
wintoid
Out of control
Jamie, as an experienced straight user, do you still enjoy to use the Feather system, or would you say you would pretty much always prefer to use a straight?
JamieM
Extreme sharpness is ephemeral!
Simon,
I no longer own a Feather SS or DX, out those two I prefer the DX, I like its build quality and more solid feel. I have tried a few blades including the Kai and the Schick Pro-line 30 which are on par with the Feather, you are doing the right thing by using the Pro- guard blades you will soon feel comfortable with using that razor and system, only then will you be ready to go with the Feather Pro, the only real adjustment you will need to make will be a lighter touch with less pressure, after that you will never go back to using the pro-guard blade.
I no longer own a Feather SS or DX, out those two I prefer the DX, I like its build quality and more solid feel. I have tried a few blades including the Kai and the Schick Pro-line 30 which are on par with the Feather, you are doing the right thing by using the Pro- guard blades you will soon feel comfortable with using that razor and system, only then will you be ready to go with the Feather Pro, the only real adjustment you will need to make will be a lighter touch with less pressure, after that you will never go back to using the pro-guard blade.