After 5 years of DE.time to go straight?

[Greglam]

Well Gents, I suppose that it was inevitable. Despite telling myself - and others - that I was perfectly happy with my DE setup and would never take up the straight, I find myself strongly contemplating the next step. I find myself torn between the Feather AC and a setup from Whippeddog. I seriously don't want to deal with honing and the like yet Whippeddog has some attractive packages. OTOH, the Feather AC seems to be very well regarded in terms of performance without the maintenance hassles.

It occurs to me that I could get two straights and a Poor Man's strop kit from Whippeddog for the same price (or less) than a Feather AC and when one is ready to be honed just take that to the knife shop (Rivers Edge Cutlery) and continue on my merry way with the back-up thus always having one honed and ready to go.

There doesn't seem to be much difference in terms of the "how to" between the traditional straight and the Feather.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers!
-Greg

 

[Snikkeren]

I started with a Parker shavette, but soon ordered a Feather AC SS. I didn't want all the maintenance that comes with a real straight. I'm really glad I went this route. This way I could test if straight shaving was for me or not.

The Feather AC SS is really great. It is comparable to a real straight, but not quite a real straight. You won't regret it if you get a Feather AC.

I do believe you'll get a real straight eventually if you like the Feather. I did.
I'm also waiting for some Naniwa Super Stones now. I do believe anyone can learn how to hone if they set their mind to it.

I think you'll be happy either way you go.

 

[Seraphim]

Knife shops have usually been reported to be inept at honing a straight razor.

 

[Greglam]

Thanks, Snik. I just read through your "adventure" journal and watched your videos, this is exactly what I was hoping to find and it was very helpful, so thanks for posting such a thorough thread.

True, Seraphim. However, this place is also a barber supply shop with a resident "shave guru". I'll have to go back and chat with him as he was out at a trade show yesterday when I stopped in. Either way, getting two straights from Whippeddog would give me the flexibility to send one out for a honing to someone from B&B while the other one is in use.

Snik (and others) had such a good experience with the Feather AS that it seems a no-brainer for me. But, I don't want to rush in just yet.

 

[KW Driver]

I did a straight and eventually got a shavette to try it out. A straight is more forgiving on the nicks and cuts initially, but it's hard to fault the convenience of a shavette. I prefer the real thing personally, but I also like the ritual of stropping, and prepping. I like the feel of a real straight in hand more. Eventually, shaving with a straight you honed yourself is very rewarding.

That said, there's any number of ways to skin this cat. Either or both will also sell easily on the B/S/T if that ever becomes an issue or consideration.

 

[dklaiman]

Send me a pm with your address. I have a feather AC hamisori style you can try with some guarded Feather blades I can send you, too. I'm busy figuring out my other shavette for the next month or so.

 

[kcb5150]

You can get a shave ready straight and a blem leather strop from whipped dog for rock bottom pricing to give it a shot. I would say it is probably something you have to commit to being crap at for awhile till your feel starts improving. If you have a rolls razor, you could have the blade honed on proper stones so you can have a training wheels transition to the feel of a blade like that.

 

[Greglam]

Send me a pm with your address. I have a feather AC hamisori style you can try with some guarded Feather blades I can send you, too. I'm busy figuring out my other shavette for the next month or so.

Thanks for the offer, Dave! I've tried to send a couple of PMs this evening but it appears that B&B is being a little wonky so I will try again tomorrow.

Cheers!

-Greg

 

[seattleshaver]

I guess it's a personal preference kind of thing but the idea of a shavette does nothing for me. I'd rather stick with a DE than use a shavette. I have a cheap shavette that I got just to try out (after I already had DE's and straights). I don't like it at all. I'm sure a Feather is better but you might as well go with a Whipped Dog used straight as you mentioned.

I have one of those as well and that's what I use most often. I also have other used (ebay) straights. Honing isn't that big a deal once you have it done so if you get a Whipped Dog razor that is sharp and you just have to keep it that way...it's easy.

You can even get a piece of a 8k Norton and a piece of a Chinese finisher (both from Whipped Dog) very cheaply. It won't take much to keep your razor sharp.

 

[Greglam]

Send me a pm with your address. I have a feather AC hamisori style you can try with some guarded Feather blades I can send you, too. I'm busy figuring out my other shavette for the next month or so.

Thanks for the offer, Dave! I've tried to send a couple of PMs this evening but it appears that B&B is being a little wonky so I will try again tomorrow.

Cheers!

-Greg

Dave, seems the third try was a charm sending a PM but not 100% sure it went through. If you didn't get it, let me know.

Thanks!
-Greg

 

[dklaiman]

Dave, seems the third try was a charm sending a PM but not 100% sure it went through. If you didn't get it, let me know.

Thanks!
-Greg

Got it and responded. It will go out in tomorrow's mail. Enjoy.