I am currently using an Edwin Jagger DE but am being drawn to the disposable blade straights made of stainless. Do many of you own either the KAI or the Feather Stainless? Opinions? Advantages and drawbacks as compared to a regular DE and to each other? How about the blades...are the KAI blades available anywhere in the US yet? Which blades work best in your opinion? Thanks for all the help...I want to try the straights but definitely dont want to get into the hassle of honing and stropping. All replies will be appreciated.
Feather DX -VS- Kai Captain Excelia
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You'll have a bit of trouble locating KAI blades, but Feather Pro blades for the AC fit the Captain, and are easy enough to locate in a few different varieties. I have a Captain and love it. It's about as close to a real straight as it gets (in terms of use and shaves). Of course, I'm a newbie straight razor shaver.
I have both the Feather and the Kai stainless, and I also have the Japanese style stainless razors made by both. I like them simply because of the ease of using them. No strop or hone needed, when it gets dull just pop in a new blade. The Kai blades are a bit of a problem in getting them, and I've never used them. But the Feather blades fit the Kai's, and both the pro's and the super pro's work very well, with no problems.
As with any open blade razor, the shave is different from a DE, but once you get your technique down its a much better and closer shave. I've been using mine for well over a year now, and though I'm getting very nice shaves, I feel I'm still learning.
I'm very comfortable with either of these razors, and I enjoy using them. Just don't use a straight if you're in a hurry.
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Thanks for the replies. How do these compare to a true straight? Do you get the feedback that a true straight gives? What are the disadvantages of the disposable blade straights?
The Feather/KAI's are all about the edge that the disposable blade gives you, which is ridiculously sharp and can be unforgiving.
Proper technique is paramount when using one of these. An extremely light touch is required, but it is also all that is necessary, as the super sharp blade will indeed cut your whiskers with minimal resistance/effort.
A "regular" straight you can tune to your liking, finish it off with chromox, a Japanese natural, a couticle, whatever. You can make it as forgiving as you wish. I like my straights very sharp, but I have never had one that is as sharp as a Feather.
So, it is somewhat of a catch 22. You may want to get a feather/KAi so you don't have to hone/strop, but by doing so, you will also be forced to use one of the least forgiving straights out there. Don't let that stop you, though!
, I just say that as a precaution. Now, if you do get one, and do use the proper technique, these razors give an amazing shave!
Now, as to "why?" a straight vs. a DE?
For me, I stopped using DE's maybe two years back. I gave them a brief go a couple months ago, because I wanted to see how the pre-honed DE blades felt again. What really bothered me about using the DE was that I was never quite sure where the blade edge was. Either the safety bar was lifting the edge, or the top cap. There was a very narrow range where the razor was "on" for my liking. When using a straight, where the edge is is immediately apparent, and you can adjust your technique by feeling how it's cutting the whiskers and/or the feel of it on your skin. That does take some experience, but that's also what makes it fun and engaging.
Proper technique is paramount when using one of these. An extremely light touch is required, but it is also all that is necessary, as the super sharp blade will indeed cut your whiskers with minimal resistance/effort.
A "regular" straight you can tune to your liking, finish it off with chromox, a Japanese natural, a couticle, whatever. You can make it as forgiving as you wish. I like my straights very sharp, but I have never had one that is as sharp as a Feather.
So, it is somewhat of a catch 22. You may want to get a feather/KAi so you don't have to hone/strop, but by doing so, you will also be forced to use one of the least forgiving straights out there. Don't let that stop you, though!
, I just say that as a precaution. Now, if you do get one, and do use the proper technique, these razors give an amazing shave!Now, as to "why?" a straight vs. a DE?
For me, I stopped using DE's maybe two years back. I gave them a brief go a couple months ago, because I wanted to see how the pre-honed DE blades felt again. What really bothered me about using the DE was that I was never quite sure where the blade edge was. Either the safety bar was lifting the edge, or the top cap. There was a very narrow range where the razor was "on" for my liking. When using a straight, where the edge is is immediately apparent, and you can adjust your technique by feeling how it's cutting the whiskers and/or the feel of it on your skin. That does take some experience, but that's also what makes it fun and engaging.
I have both the Feather and the Kai stainless, and I also have the Japanese style stainless razors made by both. I like them simply because of the ease of using them. No strop or hone needed, when it gets dull just pop in a new blade. The Kai blades are a bit of a problem in getting them, and I've never used them. But the Feather blades fit the Kai's, and both the pro's and the super pro's work very well, with no problems.
As with any open blade razor, the shave is different from a DE, but once you get your technique down its a much better and closer shave. I've been using mine for well over a year now, and though I'm getting very nice shaves, I feel I'm still learning.
I'm very comfortable with either of these razors, and I enjoy using them. Just don't use a straight if you're in a hurry.
Have you tried teh Feather Pro Lights?
I saw some posts by All Hands Working, adn he seemed to dig those blades.
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- #7
Thanks again for the information. I may post a wanted ad in the BST forum for a KAI Captain.
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