Feather AC help

[Gary H]

I bought a Feather Artist Club Japanese style razor today and I am having trouble with the shave angle. Can a user of this razor please give me some advice on the appropriate angle for a decent shave with this razor. I did a double pass with very poor results. Is the razor flat surface supposed to ride the skin while shaving? I have a spot or two that got BBS perfect the rest is like a single pass with a dull DE shave. I hope this razor does not end up being another $150.00 test drive.

 

[wquiles]

I would go as flat as possible, to the point where the razor is not cutting at all, and then slightly raise/increase the angle until it starts cutting. That is a good place to start with the Feather AC.

I also recommend reading this long thread of mine - lots of good information:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/329225-Received-Feather-SS-no-turning-back-now

 

[Gary H]

Thank you I read the posts. I did not stretch my skin I am sure this is where I failed back to the sink for me.

 

[wquiles]

I did not stretch my skin I am sure this is where I failed back to the sink for me.

Either with the Feather AC, or a traditional str8, stretching your skin is very important in general. Good soap/lather also helps the str8 razor glide better. And if you are coming from a DE, don't be afraid to experiment changing the direction you shave with the str8. And lastly, a light touch is needed with the Feather AC, given how sharp the blades are - they sometimes tend to be a little bit unforgiving.

 

[Gary H]

Unforgiving is an undetstatement. I just did another shave 3 pass. All the nicks I got using a De take those x3. I look like a grenade went off in my face total hamburger meat. No joke I will be working from home tomorrow. This was a really bad idea. Maybe I can use it in the summer to scrape the bird droppings off of my windows?

 

[BlackBear]

Gary, I've had one of these exact razors for about 3 months now - they tell me (now) that they are harder to master than a standard straight! As you've discovered the blade is super sharp and any hint of judder pretty much means a good slice of flesh.

I'm still only doing my cheeks and neck with the feather and doing the chin and moustache areas with a DE. I did get the most aggressive blades and in hindsight perhaps the pro guard blades would be better to start with.

As far as I'm aware the 'bulbous' bit that is directly above the blade should be the part that is touching the skin, still works out to be about a 25 - 30 degree angle.

Some say they have better results with a more watery, bubbly lather so that may be worth a shot. It's a much longer and steeper learning curve than the DE razor and the one catch phrase I always hear about the feather str8's is 'a very light touch'

Good luck in you search for the perfect shave.

 

[bladebuff]

As previously stated, start off with a low angle and adjust to find where the blade engages, no pressure, let the blade and weight of the razor work. The rounded blade holder makes this Feather a little more forgiving. Don't give up after a bad shave.

 

[wquiles]

Unforgiving is an undetstatement. I just did another shave 3 pass. All the nicks I got using a De take those x3. I look like a grenade went off in my face total hamburger meat. No joke I will be working from home tomorrow. This was a really bad idea. Maybe I can use it in the summer to scrape the bird droppings off of my windows?

My apologies, I should have also mentioned to do no more than two passes while you are getting used to it. As you get good/better, you might only need one good first pass and a second/touch up pass to get a DFS. Trying for a 3-pass and/or looking for a BBS is (I feel) a little too much/too soon. I should also allow extra time (compared to a DE) - no hurry.

 

[Gary H]

Thanks for the advice hints and tips but I am done with this weapon of mass destruction aka the $150.00 test drive. I cannot take another face thrashing like I took tonight. My Wife is for the first time telling me to put that thing back in the box an go bury it in the back yard, she though I fell in the shower when she saw my face

 

[alpster]

Don't give up just yet. I just started using the Feather AC a couple of weeks ago. I am shaving with them exclusively now. Shave with a DE until your face heals up, then start out with Pro-guard blades and shave with the grain only till you get the hang of it. Two or three passes with the grain will give you a great shave. No pressure, don't try to cut your whiskers, just remove the lather as gently as you can in very short strokes. With a little practice & patience, I think you will change your mind. Good luck.

Ronnie

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

If you're done with it put it on BST and you will get a good price for it or trade for something about the same value. I sold my SS models a long time ago but only because I liked my other Feather models (RG and DX) a lot more. Strange that you had such a bad shave, the SS is normally the easiest to start with. But at the end of the day not all razors are for all people. Nevertheless I think you're giving up to fast, these razors give me better shaves on my face and head then any other shaving tools I've tried in 1 max 2 passes. I use the same angle as with a normal straight, once you get the hang of this tool even diagonal movements and blade buffing are possible without damage.

 

[Giant Kiwi]

^What he said.
Don't give up too soon, I have one of the older versions of that razor the RG kami style.
It takes a very light touch and a good slick lather. Yes they are mental sharp but that is what makes them so effective.
Slow and steady and maybe just stick with the cheeks till you get the hang of it. And don't do 3 passes.
What blades did you get? The Pros or supers? I got the pros as the supers stuck out too far for my liking.
Keep going with it, It is do-able.

 

[global_dev]

Have you used a traditional straight ever? Not that either has a consensus vote on being easier, but just curious.

It's not the easiest and not for everyone, don't fall to power pressure either way... IMHO if its not enjoyable, why do it?

Stretching is important but more so is a light touch and good angles and movement.

This almost sounds like most new to straight stories. A bunch of superficial cat scratches... Hopefully it wasn't more than that.

 

[Member357]

Also, there are blades available which have built in guards, which can be helpful for new users. They're still very sharp, but there's not as much blade exposure.

Also, check Youtube, there are some videos by people using these blades. One thing often recommended by new straight users is just to shave the cheeks for the first week, then finish the rest of the face with your normal razor. Second week, try and shave a little more.
Baby steps. A 3 step shave with a razor you already knew wasn't easy to use was maybe not the best idea.
Also, your lather for the straight razor should be a bit wetter, slicker, than your normal lather.

If you're sure you've given up, you can probably get most - if not all - of your money back on BST, as Snuff said.

 

[maich]

Sad to see you come and go so quickly, I love my SS

 

[Gary H]

I wish I had the patience to take the time "Weeks" to learn but the biggest challenge here is not getting hamburger face. The main challenge for me is under my jawbone area. It is physically impossible to manuver this weapon under my jawline for my left to right pass it just cannot be done. I would have to use a DE for this area and I would rather not use 2 devices when I can use 1 for a good shave. Lesson learned for me stick with the trusty DE. I will probably send this weapon over to BST in a few weeks when I can post there again or give it to an employee who is brave enough to try it.