Feather AC Pro

[forgiver]

Hello,

Is it possible that I have two carts from two bad batches? Reviews say they are too sharp, but I find them grabbing and tugging instead.

 

[Rocket 1]

@forgiver May I ask which razor you have tried this with? Also is this with the first use of the blade? I typically find feather professional AC blades performant to 4 or 5 uses, for my beard profile.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I have tried the Feather Professionals a few times.... I didn't care for them... I do like their ProGuards and the ProSupers.... I didn't care for the ProSofts.

Overall, based on my second run of testing just a few months ago, after 2.5 years of using AC razors, I prefer the Kai Captain AC bladed.. both guarded and unguarded..... I'm not sure why that is... Maybe because Kai is the mother/father company and owns Feather.... And the dad company wants to win. <eg> evil grin.

 

[AshleyC]

I think there may be a tendency to conflate the Feather brand DE razor blades, which are considered the sharpest in wet shaving, with the Feather AC blades. I do not think their AC blades are as sharp as their DE blades. And as the AC blades are primarily intended for barbershop shavettes, I don't think them being quite that sharp would be desirable. Of course...I've never used a shavette...

I've only had the Feather AC Pros to try in my Mongoose razor, so I cannot compare them to Kai or Schick Proline. Like Rocket 1, I consider the Feather ACs a four or five use blade, and not tuggy or unpleasant. I quite enjoy my occasional sessions with that format.

 

[gpjoe]

May I ask which razor you have tried this with?

I'm thinking blade performance and shave quality are often dependent on the razor, and how well it secures the blade.

I use Feather ProGuard blades in my Vector for head shaves, and in my barber razors for shaving my face, and they seem to work very well.

I also use Kai ProTouch (guarded) blades in all of my AC format razors, and those also work very well for me.

 

[SydneyShaver]

Hello,

Is it possible that I have two carts from two bad batches? Reviews say they are too sharp, but I find them grabbing and tugging instead.

It feels a little tight because it’s sharper. I find the cutting action of the blade to catch much lower on the hair and against my skin. Feel the skin after the pass…I felt more resistance but it was definitely much more efficient. They are extremely keen blades so they catch against blemishes etc. much more than milder blades. Plus AC razors tend to be a bit more aggressive as well.

 

[forgiver]

Hello,

Is it possible that I have two carts from two bad batches? Reviews say they are too sharp, but I find them grabbing and tugging instead.

To add context and reply to your questions.

My stubble is barbed wire.

The blades I love are self-honed straight razors, followed by DE Kai blue SS and DE Muhle on Merkur 15C open comb.

For the last two weeks, about three times a week, I used the SE Feather Pro blade only, and it feels more and more grabbing and pulling. The experience is painful and the skin is upset as a consequence.

The SE razors are a Kai kamisori, which I returned for quality issue, and a Rasorock Hawk.

I have a Feather AC DX with Kai Captain Titan Mild Pink in my Amazon basket, but I am not sure I want to spend that much for more pain.

 

[forgiver]

I have tried the Feather Professionals a few times.... I didn't care for them... I do like their ProGuards and the ProSupers...

Is it true that Pro Super differs from Pro only by the greater blade exposure, sharpness being equal?

 

[Phoenixkh]

Is it true that Pro Super differs from Pro only by the greater blade exposure, sharpness being equal?

I'm not qualified to give that answer, really.... I do know, I don't get along with the Professional but the ProSuper in my La Faulx Classic was smooth and comfortable. That razor is pretty forgiving in that it's incredibly smooth by design. I took my SS La Faulx on a 4 week trip earlier this year. That's when I did the testing of all the AC blades I had on hand. I forgot to take the ProSuper blades with me and after a couple less that stellar blades with the Professional, I didn't bother to try one right when I got home.

I've been thinking I might enjoy one of Augustin's + or ++ base plates so I tried the ProSuper to see if I could approximate one of them. I was actually surprised it worked as well as it did. So, your question: I don't know if it's sharper or not. I only know it works well for me in the La Faulx Classic. I haven't tried it in my other AC razors.

 

[KW Driver]

If you shave straights primarily, and the AC in a Kai… maybe angle? Keep it shallow, and technique needs to be perfect. There’s absolutely zero flex to the blade in any shavette really. Much like a near/full wedge, but less forgiving even, with maybe less weight to plow with.

I use them in an SS rarely these days. The first couple shaves are sharply hot, then it mellows out to supremely sharp and smooth enough if I do my part, for me. If I don’t, I end up with weepers. I think I’ve only ever used pros and super pros, and only in a shavette, so can’t help beyond that.

 

[kingfisher]

To add context and reply to your questions.

My stubble is barbed wire.

The blades I love are self-honed straight razors, followed by DE Kai blue SS and DE Muhle on Merkur 15C open comb.

For the last two weeks, about three times a week, I used the SE Feather Pro blade only, and it feels more and more grabbing and pulling. The experience is painful and the skin is upset as a consequence.

The SE razors are a Kai kamisori, which I returned for quality issue, and a Rasorock Hawk.

I have a Feather AC DX with Kai Captain Titan Mild Pink in my Amazon basket, but I am not sure I want to spend that much for more pain.

If you are trying to avoid pain, get the Feather SR instead. You can thank me later. The Kai Mild Pink blades are a lot better than the Feather Pros, for me.

 

[forgiver]

I purchased the DX.
It arrived this morning.

I loaded a new Feather Pro.
It fails the HHT.

 

[Brutus]

I purchased the DX.
It arrived this morning.

I loaded a new Feather Pro.
It fails the HHT.

Which goes a long way in demonstrating the true usefulness of the HHT…

For me, HHT et al. were always more like a party tricks and the ultimate test lies in the shave.
Ever seen a seasoned barber doing them?

But if anyone puts great faith in these sort of things, who am I to object, as long as you don’t try to convince me that these things are essential.


On a side-note; I started with the DX, then two SS razors, which I did not care much for except the Scotch Wood version, and ultimately the SR.
Comparing the three models, I think the SR, which was introduced last, combines the best of all predecessors and would be the one I recommend to someone contemplating buying a Feather Artist Club.


B.

 

[Brutus]

Is it true that Pro Super differs from Pro only by the greater blade exposure, sharpness being equal?

Yes, it is.
If you are proficient with straight razors, the difference is minor.


B.

 

[gpjoe]

I purchased the DX.
It arrived this morning.

I loaded a new Feather Pro.
It fails the HHT.

Yeah, an AC blade won't pass the HHT. Will your DE blades pass? I suspect not, but those seem to work for you.

 

[forgiver]

News...

I managed to buy a stick of Kai blue SE, and shaved with it until yesterday. I find them ticker than, but otherwise comparable in quality to, the Kai DE, which makes them a good fit for my hard stubble.

Yesterday, I tried a Feather pro again. Instead of using the slider to mount the blade, I removed it by hand. The shave was almost as good as with the Kai. The Kai is sharper.

I think there is either a quality control problem with the Feather sticks I have, or the sliding mechanism dulls the blade in the mounting process.