Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club

wintoid

Out of control
Hard to say with any accuracy whatsoever but I was thinking about this while shaving yesterday and would suggest it depends on the area being shaven. I find my cheeks and sideburns could take upwards of 50% blade contact as I can make quite a flat and relatively straightforward to shave area.
In awkward, for me, areas such as certain parts of the neck and round the 'tache areas I would say I use less than 10% oftentimes out at the toe or heel end rather than the centre blade portion.
Thanks, sounds like I am in the ballpark then
 

wintoid

Out of control
Day 43 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard (two passes)

Yesterday's shave had a few cuts, and I was trying to work out whether this was the steeper angle I tried, or the Proline getting dull. I decided to experiment further with the steeper angle, and to use a guarded blade for this.

I went WTG and XTG today before finishing with an SE. I managed to reopen a small cut from yesterday, so figured I should quit whilst I was ahead. On the WTG pass, the steeper angle definitely cuts closer. On the XTG pass, I found the steeper angle a bit nerve-wracking. Like yesterday, my chin is noticeably better shaved.

Today's verdict - I should keep playing with the steeper angle but aim for even less pressure.
 

The Gentleman

Forum GOD!
Day 3 with my Feather Artist Club SS - Proguard blade

About the same again. First pass with the Feather and the rest with my Timeless. Tomorrow I think I will try to shave as much as possible with the Feather and see what happens. Could be exciting :happy:
 

UKRob

Forum GOD!
Day 43 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard (two passes)

Yesterday's shave had a few cuts, and I was trying to work out whether this was the steeper angle I tried, or the Proline getting dull. I decided to experiment further with the steeper angle, and to use a guarded blade for this.

I went WTG and XTG today before finishing with an SE. I managed to reopen a small cut from yesterday, so figured I should quit whilst I was ahead. On the WTG pass, the steeper angle definitely cuts closer. On the XTG pass, I found the steeper angle a bit nerve-wracking. Like yesterday, my chin is noticeably better shaved.

Today's verdict - I should keep playing with the steeper angle but aim for even less pressure.
Can’t remember if I mentioned this before But when going ATG under the chin, I find that it’s best to use repeated short strokes rather than attempting the kind of single strokes you would do with an SE or DE razor. Once you’ve done this, it’s then possible to use longer strokes for the clean-up. If you avoid rinsing you should find that there’s enough lather Residue on the blade to keep the stroke lubricated.
 

wintoid

Out of control
It seems to me that there is a relationship between angle and pressure. The shallower you go, the less pressure matters. The steeper you go, the more pressure matters.

When going steep, I'm trying to view it as "scooping the lather" off the face. However, this means the blade is moving laterally against the hairs, and I find it glides less than it would if it was shallow. Momentum seems to play a part here.
 

wintoid

Out of control
Day 44 - Feather Artist Club DX with Feather Proguard (three passes)

Keeping it simple today. 3 loads of WTG. Aiming for a slightly steeper angle than usual. No cuts. Very comfortable. The actual shave is acceptable, but I'd be dissatisfied if it came from a DE. I feel like the chin area is gradually getting better. I didn't bother with the SE this morning.
 

The Gentleman

Forum GOD!
Day 4 - Feather Artist Club with Feather ProGuard

Determined to shave as much as possible with the Feather AC SS today. Two full passes and a few touch ups on the chin and moustache area. First pass WTG, no problems but I don't feel that it effective enough on the cheeks. Probably to shallow angle. Second pass mostly ATG and some XTG. After a few touch ups I decided to not finish the shave with a DE. The end result was okay, acceptable. I could be a bit tougher on the cheeks as it's a flat surface and my cheeks is not sensitive. The neck is going to a challenge. On my face the beard grows north to south., but on my neck it grows in all directions and a lot is from left to right and I don't know how to attack that ATG. Well, of course I'm going to learn somehow, but it feels like a real challenge. To my big surprise the result on my moustache area is near perfect. Very happy with that. New shave tomorrow :happy:
 

NeilJ

Forum GOD!
I'm afraid yesterday's shave didn't go well for me. I used a new Feather Pro blade and managed to re-open a couple of previous cuts that had almost gone, so only 1 pass and finished with my DE. I might order some Schick Proline to see if they are a bit more forgiving. I think I will use my DE until the cuts have healed up to avoid opening them up again. I did notice going back to the DE I did have very slight irritation on my neck which I don't get at all with the AC.

One thing I did notice when going back to my DE after using the AC exclusively for a week was that it really gives you better shaving skills. I was using the DE with a feather like touch and really paying attention to the shave just as you would with the AC.

My chin area and under my lower lip seems to be my problem area, moustache I can get much closer than a DE.
 

NeilJ

Forum GOD!
I've ordered a pack of Schick Proline P30 blades today, they seem highly regarded so looking forward to seeing how they perform once my nicks have healed up.
 

wintoid

Out of control
Day 45 - Feather Artist Club SS with Feather Proguard (three passes)

I switched to the SS from the DX today. Almost all my shaves have been with the DX because so many people say it's closest to the straight razor experience. The big difference is supposedly this little bump the SS has, close to the blade, which they say helps with skin stretching.

I set out to use some pressure, laterally, in order to use the bump for the stretching. I was mindful that as this is the first time I've used the SS in ages, this would be my chance to really notice the differences between the razors. Fear not! Within a few strokes, the lateral pressure felt like a natural thing. It solves some of the problems I have in areas where I've struggled to present a flat enough surface to the blade. The overall feeling is much less of shaving with a sharp implement, and much more like rubbing a smooth object on my face.

Three passes today. WTG/XTG/WTG. Probably the best shave I've had from a Feather razor. No irritation or cuts. I wonder, long term, if I'm going to be someone who prefers the SS to the DX.
 

The Gentleman

Forum GOD!
Day 5 - Feather Artist Club SS with Feather ProGuard

As yesterday I decided to use the Feather only, and a DE for cleaning up. The result today was satisfying. Much better than yesterday, especially my cheeks that now feels like a decent shave with a DE. The moustache area is good today as well, and I find it quite easy to shave that area both WTG and ATG. The neck is feeling okay, but there is a few spots there that I don't know how to attack ATG (I need ATG to get a good result. XTG is not enough) and the some parts on the chin is also a bit difficult. But the whiskers on my chin is like barb wire and maybe a sharper blade is better for that area. I've been working from home a few days and gives me a bit more time in the morning. Tomorrow I'll be back at work, so maybe I'll use the Feather only on my first pass and finish the shave with a DE. Only 5 days in to this journey, but I'm very pleased so far.
 
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Cheesepiece

Stickler
Day 45 - Feather Artist Club SS with Feather Proguard (three passes)

I switched to the SS from the DX today. Almost all my shaves have been with the DX because so many people say it's closest to the straight razor experience. The big difference is supposedly this little bump the SS has, close to the blade, which they say helps with skin stretching.

I set out to use some pressure, laterally, in order to use the bump for the stretching. I was mindful that as this is the first time I've used the SS in ages, this would be my chance to really notice the differences between the razors. Fear not! Within a few strokes, the lateral pressure felt like a natural thing. It solves some of the problems I have in areas where I've struggled to present a flat enough surface to the blade. The overall feeling is much less of shaving with a sharp implement, and much more like rubbing a smooth object on my face.

Three passes today. WTG/XTG/WTG. Probably the best shave I've had from a Feather razor. No irritation or cuts. I wonder, long term, if I'm going to be someone who prefers the SS to the DX.
Having never had the pleasure of the DX I think that your jump from acceptable but ultimately disappointing shaves to a suddenly impressive result is profound. Maybe, if you have the luxury of both razors right now, the SS is where you should do the 'learning' and the DX can be revisited to try achieve the equivalent results.
Very interesting that you find there is a difference in how they shave, I never thought there could be a difference as i thought it was all down to the presentation of the same blade and the user controls the angle, etc, no safety bar.
I am now very much looking forward to delivery of my Kai Captain as it may offer something different to my Feather RGs of the past and the Univinlions kamisori.
 
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