Learning to shave with the Feather Artist Club

[NeilJ]

Glad you seem to have found your perfect blade/razor match Simon, it just goes to show we are all different as I love the Schick Prolines.

I've been getting wonderful shaves lately, I've 8 shaves on the Schick at the moment, I'm going to continue using it until it starts to feel dull to confirm my 9 shaves and out opinion from the last blade.

 

[UKRob]

Oh yes, it would be great to see your shaving video

I’ve just posted a video in the Straight Razor section. Two passes in just under 8 minutes without too much blood - although I have to say that it’s strangely un-nerving videoing yourself and made me self conscious which is weird considering you can delete it.

 

[Merkurologist]

I’ve just posted a video in the Straight Razor section. Two passes in just under 8 minutes without too much blood - although I have to say that it’s strangely un-nerving videoing yourself and made me self conscious which is weird considering you can delete it.

Excellent video Rob, your DX with those scales looks fantastic.

But, where is the coffee?


Technique wise, I can just about get away with 2 passes like you do but I'm sure I show my SS a little more respect than you do ....more often than not I go for a 3 pass shave purely out of enjoyment.

I can imagine that being conscious about recording oneself while shaving, must feel a bit weird I did record myself when learning to shave with a SR but I can't remember how I felt doing it..... I knew it was just for my own viewing, although my family had a good time laughing at my expenses I do bring a flask with coffee and music to my shave den and the spot of spontaneous singing along amused the family

 

[UKRob]

Excellent video Rob, your DX with those scales looks fantastic.

But, where is the coffee?


Technique wise, I can just about get away with 2 passes like you do but I'm sure I show my SS a little more respect than you do ....more often than not I go for a 3 pass shave purely out of enjoyment.

I can imagine that being continuous about recording oneself while shaving, must feel a bit weird I did record myself when learning to shave with a SR but I can't remember how I felt doing it..... I knew it was just for my own viewing, although my family had a good time laughing at my expenses I do bring a flask with coffee and music to my shave den and the spot of spontaneous singing along amused the family

This was just my second attempt at recording a video - my first was two days ago when shaving but I thought you just hit the record button once. Consequently, nothing was recorded which is a good job because the shave was nothing short of a disaster. Using a new Proline, I rushed through the first pass causing lots of blood spots - enough to turn the lather pink.

 

[wintoid]

Day 77 - Feather Artist Club SS with Kai Protouch MG (9)

At this point, I'm sort of investigating how long a Protouch MG can go on. It's made harder to assess by the fact that this blade always feels a bit scrapey to me. If I judge it on the final shave, though, this blade still has more to give. Even if I retire it tomorrow, 9 3-pass shaves doesn't seem too bad.

Three passes, WTG/XTG/ATG. I stole an idea for a stroke from @UKRob's excellent video, and tried using my non-dominant hand to shave the opposite side from ear to chin along the jawline. Seemed to work well, although felt a bit awkward as these things always do the first few times.

End results are awesome as usual with the Protouch. I'm sitting on a stash of Prolines and have very few Protouch left, so I'm forever thinking I should try again to master that blade. No decisions. I tend to decide on the morning of the shave anyway.

 

[The Gentleman]

Day 27 - Feather Artist Club SS with KAI Protouch MG

After a work week using a DE I was back with the AC this morning. First pass as usual with no problems at all. Second pass and touch ups went well, but I still think I'm too slow. No issue on a weekend, but before work it is. Anyway, the shave today was the best with the AC so far and I'm really happy with how smooth my face (and even the neck) feels. A new shave tomorrow!

 

[Merkurologist]

Day 27 - Feather Artist Club SS with KAI Protouch MG

After a work week using a DE I was back with the AC this morning. First pass as usual with no problems at all. Second pass and touch ups went well, but I still think I'm too slow. No issue on a weekend, but before work it is. Anyway, the shave today was the best with the AC so far and I'm really happy with how smooth my face (and even the neck) feels. A new shave tomorrow!

You are certainly on the right track, don't worry about the time for now, concentrate on your technique and results. Speed comes comes with confidence on what you're doing.
As long as you keep achieving shaves that leave you happy, you are progressing.

About time, I'd say.... at this stage, if you can't spare the time to shave with a SR then shave with a DE.

 

[NeilJ]

After retiring the Schick Proline after 9 shaves I decided to have another go with the Feather Pro which had just 1 pass on it. I have to say that although the shave went without any dramas I do find the Pro’s harsh and was left with a little irritation on my neck afterwards. It made me realise how smooth the Schick Prolines are for me so will go back to those tomorrow.

 

[Merkurologist]

After retiring the Schick Proline after 9 shaves I decided to have another go with the Feather Pro which had just 1 pass on it. I have to say that although the shave went without any dramas I do find the Pro’s harsh and was left with a little irritation on my neck afterwards. It made me realise how smooth the Schick Prolines are for me so will go back to those tomorrow.

incidentally, it seems that Connaught aren't doing the Schick Prolines anymore. Where do you get your Prolines from?

 

[wintoid]

Day 78 - Feather Artist Club DX with Kai PINK mild (1)

Saturday. A day for experiments. Today's experiment failed. I probably shouldn't have changed blades and razor at the same time. Whilst the resulting shave from the DX and unguarded Kai blade was close, I had far too many little nicks... probably about 6 or 7.

Incidentally, I don't think the Kai mild is simply an unguarded Protouch. The bevelled part of the blade looks almost black, which is quite distinct from the guarded Kai.

Anyway, Sunday is also a day for experimentation, so I will probably persevere with the Kai Mild, but in the SS instead.

 

[NeilJ]

incidentally, it seems that Connaught aren't doing the Schick Prolines anymore. Where do you get your Prolines from?

I must have had one of the last packets of Prolines from Connaughts as I noticed they weren't in stock any more. I might contact them next week to see if they intend to re-stock them. I can't seem to find anywhere else in the UK that stock them so might have to have a look at Japanese imports on eBay. I'm not really comfortable buying this way as you never really know if they are genuine blades or not.

 

[UKRob]

I must have had one of the last packets of Prolines from Connaughts as I noticed they weren't in stock any more. I might contact them next week to see if they intend to re-stock them. I can't seem to find anywhere else in the UK that stock them so might have to have a look at Japanese imports on eBay. I'm not really comfortable buying this way as you never really know if they are genuine blades or not.

All my Schick blades have been from EBay with no problems at all. The demand for this type of blade is pretty insignificant and I assume it would not be worthwhile trying to replicate container and packaging. If you wanted to make money from dodgy blades, I’d go for Gillette cartridges.

 

[NeilJ]

All my Schick blades have been from EBay with no problems at all. The demand for this type of blade is pretty insignificant and I assume it would not be worthwhile trying to replicate container and packaging. If you wanted to make money from dodgy blades, I’d go for Gillette cartridges.

That's reassuring Rob, thanks. I am really enjoying the smoothness of them, not too shabby in the sharpness department either.

 

[wintoid]

Day 79 - Feather Artist Club SS with Kai PINK mild (2)

Well better than yesterday, I suppose. 2 miniscule weepers, almost not worth mentioning. I'm not sure I really enjoyed the shave though, and that's sort of the point. I suspect I'll be going back to my Protouch and Supers.

 

[Merkurologist]

This morning I had my first shave with the SS and a Schick Proline and it was very very nice. I reminded me the Feather Pro from shave No 3 to No 7 or 8.

Reading through post on this thread and wondering why @wintoid gets on with Supers and I'm not particularly crazy about them, also why I did like Pros but @wintoid didn't like them, I came to the conclusion that @Wintoin's beard must be thicker than mine, hence the need for a sharper blade. If your beard is thick and you don't have a very sharp blade it feels like you are shaving with a blade that's had it, further more, you are more likely to get cuts, at least that's my experience with conventional straight razors.
I find the Supers too sharp for me and with that information in my head I can't enjoy the shave as much.... I feel a bit tense when shaving, having said that, I'll try to get used to it, just as a challenge

over the last few days I've shaved a couple of times with conventional straight razors and I have to say "can somebody please invent a shavette with a 3" blade and a proper feedback"

These are happy days, I'm really happy to shave with a number of DE, SE, SR and a shavette in my den and it has taken years to put together, it makes me think of the times when I felt that I'd never get a proper good enjoyable shave. Not everything is down to hardware, technique and skin getting used to the panishment, play probably a bigger role.