From Feather DX to standard straight

[B. Diddly]

Good morning all,

I have been shaving with my Feather DX non-folding razor for a little over a year and have really enjoyed it. I felt it was time to move to a standard straight razor and just received my order last week. I was surprised at how different the two shave. I was able to get a decent shave but still need to get use to the weight, balance, and angle of the new razor. I also received my star shaving paddle strop and discovered that I might be one of the worst stroppers out there . I'm sure I'll get better with time. Here's a pic of the Dovo Best Quality I purchased (first time posting a pic........I think it attached).

 

[ladykate]

I jump back and forth a lot with the types of razors - they are definitely different and I like both traditional types and blade holders. The traditional straight is very nice and relaxing - almost a guaranteed smooth shave and little chance of burn or nicks. The Feather AC or clones is the supercharged version of shaving and guaranteed to give me a BBS as long as I pay close attention and don't let any blood escape. Lately, I've concentrated on blade holders (not broken blade shavettes) and truly appreciate their features. But, just when I think I will go 100% their way, I break out a straight that I've restored or put a nice edge on and enjoy the crap out of it. I even shaved with an M3 a few days back. It's all good.

Your Dovo looks sweet - did you have it honed where you bought it? My Dovos were not even close to shave ready when I got them. They honed up very nicely, though.

 

[B. Diddly]

Thanks Ladykate. It was honed from straight razor designs when I purchased it and it passed the hanging hair test just fine. I too think I'll use the DX only but end up using one of my DEs after a monthor two.

 

[wquiles]

I have been wet-shaving for 6 months now, first with a DE, and today marks the 2-week anniversary of using nothing but a Feather SS or CJB razor. I am really enjoying the Feather "system" so far, so much that I will be selling my DE's for good. I have read similar comments from many who have tried both a Feather and a traditional str8 razor, so it looks like there is some adjustment necessary. I too might consider a traditional str8 razor some time in the future, so I am subscribing to this thread as a good reference.

 

[Firewalker]

I love the stories you all tell us, the failures, the wins, the good and bad. I too have been kind of following others here in what they have been shaving with and just had my very first shave with a real straight honed just by myself. I started with a gold dollar but it tugged like crazy so I abandoned it for another I made a shorty out of then finished up with a DE.

I like all of the different ways to shave except carts, they leave me with lots of blood. Good luck with that DOVO, maybe someday I will get a real razor too.

 

[Doc226]

While a conventional straight might not be as "sharp" as the feather, IMO they are much, much more forgiving and the shaves are better.

 

[Tierdaen]

I have still not figured out how to get great shaves from a regular professionally-honed straight but can get excellent results with a Feather.

I am sure enough tweaking of technique will get me somewhat comparable results, but a less-sharp blade makes my shaves less comfortable. Can't understand the "forgiving" part, as it is nowhere near what I'd call "forgiving" compared to a Feather Super Pro blade.

 

[JeffBr]

Used DE's of many types, but found the Cobra Classic with a Feather Professional and get BBS, no irritation shaves. Decided that I would try a straight; purchased a Hart 6/8 and strop and have shaved 4 times. I traveled this week and took the Cobra, returned and shaved with the Hart today. Am contemplating just shaving with the Cobra and possibly trying the Feather DX. I have trouble with chin and neck with straight and the time that I am taking to strop and straight shave is very long. I know that it takes time, but not sure that I will continue. Today was better but still not good and maybe not encouraging!

 

[Kentos]

A Feather needs a light touch, and the super sharp edge just mows everything down without a whimper. A conventional straight also requires a light touch, but you can get away with a heavier hand. In addition the conventional straight is much more sensitive to blade angle and requires a scything or guillotine stroke to optimize cutting and maintain the edge sharpness.

The only downside to shavettes, IMO, is that it makes transitioning to a conventional straight a bit more difficult. It's like learning how to cook on a restaurant quality stove, and then going out camping and trying to cook with a dutch oven over a open fire. It can be done but it ain't easy .

 

[ladykate]

While a conventional straight might not be as "sharp" as the feather, IMO they are much, much more forgiving and the shaves are better.

Better is always relative. I love regular straights but I can make a Feather or clone give me a wonderful shave. It is different than a regular straight - both are great.

 

[B. Diddly]

While a conventional straight might not be as "sharp" as the feather, IMO they are much, much more forgiving and the shaves are better.

I completely agree with the more forgiving part. Kinda makes me feel like I'm cheating

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

I can't help you as I'm the other way around, from straight to DX ;-)

My first straight shave was about 35 years ago, last year I got a feather RG folding in a trade with a silver snuffbox and always willing to try something new I read about it on the forums and very carefully prepared for my first shave with it. Long story short I fell in love with the "blade holders" and bit by bit my straights found new homes.

But I'm sure if you have a bit of patience that you'll love straight shaving, it's just another form of shaving. Do what you enjoy and enjoy what you're doing!

 

[jgkeegan]

While a conventional straight might not be as "sharp" as the feather, IMO they are much, much more forgiving and the shaves are better.

I'm not sure why this is so, but it is definitely so.

--james

 

[duderdo]

Lately I've been obsessed with closing the gap between my DX shaves and my regular SR shaves. I have both natural and synthetic stones so I spend a lot of time trying to find ways to make a regular straight as close as possible in keenness and smoothness as a feather blade.

Technique is huge. I'm finding that guillotine strokes are key to bringing out that elusive "velvet squeegee" feeling we're all aiming for, even though it might be seen as a bit of a "cheat".

 

[jgkeegan]

Lately I've been obsessed with closing the gap between my DX shaves and my regular SR shaves. I have both natural and synthetic stones so I spend a lot of time trying to find ways to make a regular straight as close as possible in keenness and smoothness as a feather blade.

Technique is huge. I'm finding that guillotine strokes are key to bringing out that elusive "velvet squeegee" feeling we're all aiming for, even though it might be seen as a bit of a "cheat".

Most, but not all of my straight shaves are better and smoother than my shaves with Feather and/or Kai shavettes and blades. Yet, I have the feeling that the straight blade is not exactly sharper, but more suited to shaving faces. With the shavettes I always had the feeling that I could cut off half my face with a millisecond loss of concentration. For me, the straights are easier to handle.


---james

 

[B. Diddly]

Second shave with the standard straight was better than the first. My face looked nice and clean shaven despite being able to feel a light coarseness when running my hand over my face. It is definitely different to feel and hear the whiskers being cut off but all in all I was happy with the shave and think the straight razor will get better with time.

 

[Kentos]

Lately I've been obsessed with closing the gap between my DX shaves and my regular SR shaves. I have both natural and synthetic stones so I spend a lot of time trying to find ways to make a regular straight as close as possible in keenness and smoothness as a feather blade.

Technique is huge. I'm finding that guillotine strokes are key to bringing out that elusive "velvet squeegee" feeling we're all aiming for, even though it might be seen as a bit of a "cheat".

To really get that extra keeness CBN and poly diamond spray in the .1 and and smaller micron sizes really help IMO.

 

[jgkeegan]

To really get that extra keeness CBN and poly diamond spray in the .1 and and smaller micron sizes really help IMO.

That is my experience. Not sure if "keen" is the word I'd use. I think that comes from the entire honing process. I think the CBN I'm using, or perhaps the substance I'm using it on, NanoCloth, makes the shave buttery smooth.

--james

 

[Kentos]

That is my experience. Not sure if "keen" is the word I'd use. I think that comes from the entire honing process. I think the CBN I'm using, or perhaps the substance I'm using it on, NanoCloth, makes the shave buttery smooth.

--james

For me the difference is HHT root in and a pull free ATG.

You are correct that I should add that the CBN and Poly at the .1 and smaller don't seem to affect the smoothness of the edge. However the added sharpness does require a lighter touch.

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

Most, but not all of my straight shaves are better and smoother than my shaves with Feather and/or Kai shavettes and blades. Yet, I have the feeling that the straight blade is not exactly sharper, but more suited to shaving faces. With the shavettes I always had the feeling that I could cut off half my face with a millisecond loss of concentration. For me, the straights are easier to handle.---james

I honed all my straights with coticules and those are known for the smooth feeling the edge gives during shaving, almost like a feeling that they are not sharp to the touch when shaving compared to razors honed with other stones or pastes. So I can understand the smooth feeling, I have tried in the past to get SR as sharp as a feather blade but the result of that is a less pleasant and harsh feeling on the face during the shave.

Personal preferences and such I suppose, although I expected cuts and nicks after reading about these razors I never had a cut in all the time I used these razors, they are my go to shaving apparatus. Only the SS models where adopted by others, no love there.