Question about Feather ProGuard Blades...

[Crag]

I just got an Ebony Feather RG Special and was wondering if anyone has used Feather ProGuard Blades....I used the Professional Blades in my Dad's Feather AC, but they tore me up pretty good, and I was wondering if those blades might help me to learn the art of Str8 Shaving while sparing my face...

Any ideas are welcome!

 

[dasein_geist]

Matt,

I posted this in another forum, but you may find it useful here:

http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/1240646.htm has an explanation of the differences between the different blade types (if you click on each type). Basically the difference is in the "width," "exposure," and w/ or w/o the "wire cage" (the pro guards are rather self explanatory, the "Pro Supers" are thicker and have more exposure, while the "Pro" blades are thiner and have less exposure); this translates, more many, to the following:

Pro Guards: Most users, if the try them at all, use these only for the first couple of shave - although, there is at least one user who swears by them for daily use - to get acclimated the the Feather AC techniques, and "progress" to one of the other two. I, honestly, have never used these blades, so I cannot comment on either the performance, or longevity.

Professional Blades: These are thinner, but have less exposure Thus, it is argued, the edge grind angle may be a little steeper, giving them e a subjectively sharper feel. As a result of the thinner blade and the, arguably, steeper edge angle, they tend not to last as long as the "Pro Super" blades. For many, these are considered more "aggressive" than the others (although, any of the three may be considered relatively "aggressive," compared to either a regular straight or a fixed head DE - due to the inherent design of the Feather AC system).

Professional Supers: These are thicker than the Pro Blades, bur offer more exposure. The consensus is, these tend to last the longest, and offer a "more straight-like" experience (at least after the first couple of shaves - prior to this, they are still considered sharper and offer less feedback than a regular straight razor).

I, myself, use the Professional Super blades, in my Feather AC, for my daily shaves - they are my preferred work-horse blades. I do have the Pro blades loaded in my Japanese version Feather AC, and use these for my final T&C run(s). I find the Pro Supers tend to want to "dig in"/"hang" less than the Pros, on anything more than the shortest stubble. I do like the feel of the Pro blades, for my final T&C, once I have already cleared away the majority of my stubble. Of course, as always, YMMV.

If I were to restrict myself to only ONE type, I would personally choose the Pro Super blades, as these offer me the greatest longevity and greater relative comfort...

My suggestion would be to skip the Pro Guard blades, and focus on your technique; in the long run, you will appreciate the lack of the guard on the other blades (as, by definition, having no guard will provide a closer shave). With that said, however, if the Pro Guard blades with allow for more confidence (i.e. not "scare you off,"), and keep you using the Feather AC while you work on your technique, they may be worth the small investment, while you are learning to use the Feather AC.

In this sense, the Pro Guard blades are seen as a type of "training wheels." While I, personally, think your efforts are best spent developing your technique - for the system you will ultimately use (i.e. if you get used to the Pro Guards, you will have to (re)learn your technique, when you switch to the Pro or Pro Super blades) - only you can determine your own level of comfort. Once again, if YOU feel the Pro Guard blades will allow you to "stick with it", then, by all means, give them a shot...

 

[berzerkeleyan]

I've used the Pro Guard blades as well as the Pro Supers. Both require the same careful technique when using a Feather razor. Though sticking with the Pro Supers and working on your technique is good advice, I also think that the Pro Guards offer a decent alternative. I like using them -- they shave plenty close (BBS close, in fact), and they're certainly more forgiving if your technique isn't perfect.

 

[Scotto]

In my days of Feather AC use, I liked the Proguards quite a bit. They give a wicked smooth shave, and are a more forgiving than the others. Perhaps there is a bit of a mental thing as well, allowing you to relax and get a better shave.

 

[Crag]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your replies...I am ordering the Proguards and will then upgrade when I feel keen enough.

 

[ScottS]

Do yourself a favor, and order both at once. You'll save about 6 bucks in shipping, and there's little probability that you won't want to at least try the other blades.

 

[Crag]

Do yourself a favor, and order both at once. You'll save about 6 bucks in shipping, and there's little probability that you won't want to at least try the other blades.

I actually ordered all three blade types...so hopefully I'm set for a while.

 

[Suzuki]

I just used the AC for the first time today - with the Pro Supers.

I got a great shave (couple of weepers and a tiny nick) and really liked the way they felt - BUT, I've been using a straight almost exclusively for the past few months.

If you're not used to using a straight, I think the Proguards are a very good (not to mention safer!) choice for starting out. I think about my first shaves with a straight and the many nicks and cuts and think it would have been an even bloodier learning curve with an AC loaded with the pros or pro supers.

The feather straight blades are even sharper (IMHO) than their DE blades and I got the sense that they would be VERY unforgiving of bad technique and that you could do a lot of damage with this razor (see Joel's extensive post and gruesome pictures of his initial experiences with the AC - despite being an experienced straight shaver).

The AC is a great shaving tool (but very different from a traditional straight).

Good luck.

 

[Crag]

The feather straight blades are even sharper (IMHO) than their DE blades and I got the sense that they would be VERY unforgiving of bad technique and that you could do a lot of damage with this razor (see Joel's extensive post and gruesome pictures of his initial experiences with the AC - despite being an experienced straight shaver).

The AC is a great shaving tool (but very different from a traditional straight).

Good luck.

Hopefully you are right about the training wheels...I know you are right about the feathers as I said earlier that I used the AC at my dad's house and those Professional blades TORE ME UP pretty good....

My dad has a Vintage Feather AC type Straight using Professional Blades, but he has really good technique, and gets BBS shaves almost daily...He's 85...I'm 40 and BRAND NEW to straights...He was using a Straight 20 years before I was even born so there you have it....I am confident, though, straight razor shaving is in my blood!

 

[Doc4]

I just got an Ebony Feather RG Special and was wondering if anyone has used Feather ProGuard Blades....I used the Professional Blades in my Dad's Feather AC, but they tore me up pretty good, and I was wondering if those blades might help me to learn the art of Str8 Shaving while sparing my face...

Any ideas are welcome!

I think we're in the same boat ... I am 'patiently' wating for the mailman to bring me my Feather so I can start learning to shave with a straight ... I ordered the Proguard blades as well, and hope they'll be a bit safer!

Reading the other posts about the Feather, it seems like the trick is to keep the razor as flat on your face as possible, and really apply no pressure to the skin at all. I know that on my first few tries, I'll be doing that, erring on the side of caution!!

Hurry up mailman, dammit!!

 

[dasein_geist]

While I am not going to argue the Feather AC is not capable of inflicting some serious damage, nor would I say it does not have the potential of giving a harsh shave. I will say, however, with the proper technique, it is possible to get a close comfortable shave with ANY of the three blade types.

a couple of tips that really helped me:

1) Like the DE counterparts, these blades are SHARP;thus, you must respect this (note: this does NOT mean fear them).

2) Related to this, use a light, but confident stroke (personally, I find slightly LONGER strokes work better for me, than shorter "choppy" strokes)

3) Again related, use a slightly less than the "typical" thirty degree angle (Ben, and others, has posted about a technique which actually lays the razor "head"/blade completely flat against the face (parallel to the face) and sort of "skims"/"hovers" over the surface of the face to shave the whiskers. Obviously, this technique requires a bit more perpendicular pressure, to ensure contact with the whiskers, which I, personally find very counter intuitive, however, some swear by it.

4) If you find the blades initially too sharp, you can run the blade over a cork (one from a wine bottle works well) two or three times down the entire length of the blade, to take the slight "edge" off (no pun intended). Note: I don't know if this will work with the Pro Guard blades. Note: this will increase the "pulling" sensation a bit, but will also provide a little better feedback (not that the Feather AC is renowned for its feedback). Obviously, this "trick" will decrease the blades overall longevity.

5) I find lather quality (with either soaps or creams) can effect the comfort level of the shave to a greater extent with the Feather AC, than with my DE razors using Feather blades (this, at least, has been MY experience) YMMV.

Finally, my experience has been - as with any new technique/product - there will be an adjustment period (you may even have moments when you think to yourself, "why am I doing this again, I was getting better results with my old method"; however, if you stick with with, ask a lot of questions, watch/adjust your technique, and take it gradually/slowly, you will potentially be rewarded with a truly fantastic shaving experience (I have experienced some of THE BEST shaves - in all senses - of my life, with the Feather AC).

 

[Crag]

Thanks again everyone.

I have been shaving with my Feather now for 5days, and have gotten progressively better at it. This mornings shave was the best yet due, in part, to the lather quality. I actually used a C&E bristle brush with Trumpers Lavender Soap and got the most beautiful lather...the brush was scratchy but that's to be expected with a boar brush. Only one nick, but it was my fault in transitioning from cheek to chin.

I have used everyones advice somewhere, and thank everyone again!

 

[Limey]

I've been using the Feather AC RG with ProGuard for awhile now. I do plan to move over when I feel more comfortable. I find I get better shaves with soaps vs. creams when using the Feather.

 

[dasein_geist]

Thanks again everyone.

I have been shaving with my Feather now for 5days, and have gotten progressively better at it. This mornings shave was the best yet due, in part, to the lather quality. I actually used a C&E bristle brush with Trumpers Lavender Soap and got the most beautiful lather...the brush was scratchy but that's to be expected with a boar brush. Only one nick, but it was my fault in transitioning from cheek to chin.

I have used everyones advice somewhere, and thank everyone again!

Matt,

I, too, find the "harshness" of the feather blades can be alleviated significantly by a good quality lather. My personal favorites are the many tallow based soaps (e.g. Mitchel's WoolFat and Tabac); these tend to produce a rather thick drier lather that, for me, compliments the Feather AC very nicely.

 

[sarimento1]

This is an old thread that I'll revive a bit, offering my recent experience with these 'straight edge training wheels'.
I've been (trying to) learn straights now, for about six months, more or less. Perhaps just reached that '100 shave' threshold, with mixture of regular straights and Feather AC with standard feather pro blade. Overall, it's going 'ok'; hopefully one day I'll master the technique.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to try the Proguards and have been really, really impressed.
Certainly they are sharp, but more forgiving and much easier (for me) to navigate the (aging) face contours.

As I was wiping the razor and putting it away yesterday, I looked at it from the end and wondered if I had mistakenly loaded two blades rather than a single. It was in fact just one, but with the magnifier, you can see that the blade is actually a sandwich of 3 blades, with the guards each being the outer layer.

Here are a couple closeup pics. Yes, I carefully nudged the blade forward for the photo. Quite impressive bit of engineering. Sorry for the fuzz and scum; the green reflection might be from the lime green holder.