sticking to a feather ac or getting a straight razor

[justice strike]

The past couple months i have been using a feather AC type no sharpen straight razor. I must say i'm very content with the results.

I've tried a DE razor, but for some reason i need to change these blades after one usage (even when i didn't even use the other side of the blade), they just arn't really sharp when used once and tend to not cut the hairs correctly (ie, blood).

Not so with the feather. However, i now am at a point where i need to get some replacement blades, or a straight razor. The thing about a real straight razor that puts me off is that i do not know how to sharpen the blade correctly, i do not have the tools to sharpen it and i'm not sure if i can get the blade just as sharp as the feater blade. Somewhere in the beginning i've tried the straight razor of my brother... I don't know if the blade wasn't sharpened correctly or my technique still wasn't up to par. But my "instict" tells me that the feather blades are just way sharper then i can ever get with a straight razor...

The other thing is, i don't want to spend all my free time honing and stroping the blade. If it's early in the morning, i want to be able to get a quick shave (hence why i used to use a DE razor)..

does anyone have some good advice for me?

 

[superbleu]

If you are careful with your blade, you should only need to hone it once or 2x a year. You can strop at night so it is ready for you first thing in the AM, or you can get a set of razors and strop them all at once so you will have a few ready to go at any one moment.
Oh and welcome to the forums.

The past couple months i have been using a feather AC type no sharpen straight razor. I must say i'm very content with the results.

I've tried a DE razor, but for some reason i need to change these blades after one usage (even when i didn't even use the other side of the blade), they just arn't really sharp when used once and tend to not cut the hairs correctly (ie, blood).

Not so with the feather. However, i now am at a point where i need to get some replacement blades, or a straight razor. The thing about a real straight razor that puts me off is that i do not know how to sharpen the blade correctly, i do not have the tools to sharpen it and i'm not sure if i can get the blade just as sharp as the feater blade. Somewhere in the beginning i've tried the straight razor of my brother... I don't know if the blade wasn't sharpened correctly or my technique still wasn't up to par. But my "instict" tells me that the feather blades are just way sharper then i can ever get with a straight razor...

The other thing is, i don't want to spend all my free time honing and stroping the blade. If it's early in the morning, i want to be able to get a quick shave (hence why i used to use a DE razor)..

does anyone have some good advice for me?

 

[Jamestellban]

I'm actually thinking along the same lines as you are. I have been using a DE for a while, and I'm going to be starting a barbering school in November. The school teaches the use of a straight razor, and I'm deciding whether I should buy one now, or wait till I start school. The only advice I can give, is that in my case, I'll most likely be getting a feather disposable straight, because of the ease of use on clients. They don't have to 'trust' me to clean it correctly, they can watch me flip the old blade out and in with the new. Then again, I don't have to worry about honing or stroping! And since I don't know how to hone or strop correctly, nor have the tools... I think disposable is the way to go for me. Someday I will get a real straight, (for myself) and learn the art of sharpening, but I don't have the money or the inclination to do it at the moment.
Anyway, hope this helps a bit.

 

[mkevenson]

Most often I say "GO STR8", in your case however I find that you are totally comfortable with what you are using and I would say "STAY WITH WHAT YOU GOT". That being said, if there were other reasons for you wanting to try a str8 then I would say "GO FUR IT"

Mark

 

[gollum83]

Yeah if you're happy as is stay with it, but if you're wanting to try a straight I say go for it. You don't necessarily even have to know how to hone. As long as you have a strop and a pasted paddle/strop you should be good to go for a while. Then in about six months to a year send it off to a honemeister for honing.

 

[justice strike]

Most often I say "GO STR8", in your case however I find that you are totally comfortable with what you are using and I would say "STAY WITH WHAT YOU GOT". That being said, if there were other reasons for you wanting to try a str8 then I would say "GO FUR IT"

Mark

doesn't get much easier than that. Along the lines of
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... unless it's broke, then fix it"

 

[justice strike]

Yeah if you're happy as is stay with it, but if you're wanting to try a straight I say go for it. You don't necessarily even have to know how to hone. As long as you have a strop and a pasted paddle/strop you should be good to go for a while. Then in about six months to a year send it off to a honemeister for honing.

Main thing is, I like a very very sharp razor. Most people don't like the Feather AC the first shave because it's so "sharp". I love it the first shave... it only goes downhill after that.

So, will i be able to keep a "razor sharp" razor (pun intended) or will i be hard pressed to find any such sharpness as a feather blade?

 

[gollum83]

Main thing is, I like a very very sharp razor. Most people don't like the Feather AC the first shave because it's so "sharp". I love it the first shave... it only goes downhill after that.

So, will i be able to keep a "razor sharp" razor (pun intended) or will i be hard pressed to find any such sharpness as a feather blade?

Ah! I see what you're saying. Honestly, I don't know that answer as I've never used a Feather AC.

 

[Basset]

Main thing is, I like a very very sharp razor. Most people don't like the Feather AC the first shave because it's so "sharp". I love it the first shave... it only goes downhill after that.

So, will i be able to keep a "razor sharp" razor (pun intended) or will i be hard pressed to find any such sharpness as a feather blade?

You won't find a straight that's going to shave you consistently with a blade as sharp as a feather blade. I've used the feather ac with the different blade varieties, and now I use straights. I prefer the straight shaves, but that's in part because the straight blades are not as sharp - they are far less likely to nick or give razor burn. Sharpness is only a part of the picture.

I stayed away from straights for a long time because of the whole stropping / honing thing, but for me that was a mistake. Stropping takes no time at all, and honing's really not an issue - particularly if you have a straight you can use while you send another of for a touch-up (though touch ups are easy enough for you to do).

 

[justice strike]

I have no problems with nicking myself. But basicly, if i understand correctly, a straight razor will never get as sharp as a feather AC.

 

[Basset]

I have no problems with nicking myself. But basicly, if i understand correctly, a straight razor will never get as sharp as a feather AC.

I'd say that's a fair assumption, particularly if you are using the Feather Pro Super blades. If you use the Pro Guard blades, the difference is less distinct, I think.

Sharper may not not necessarily better for all users. There's no question that none of my straights were as sharp as a new Pro Super blade. But it's equally clear to me that I routinely get more comfortable shaves with my straights that last as long, if not longer.

Straight blades offer, among other things, a variety of grinds that make feedback (touch, and sound) much more pronounced, and vintage straights can be found with "smile" shapes that make a scything motion easier, which produces nice results.

But hey, the Feather AC is a great tool. So if you love it, stick with it.

 

[justice strike]

the only area i really have trouble with is above the lip and the chin area.

Also i heard that you should stay away from vintage "frown/smile" razors as they are near impossible to sharpen.

Ok let's take it a other way. What type of blade would be recommended for me? i hear a lot about these grinds, shapes and tempers... but quite frankly i cannot find a single recommendation. Not even on tempering which seems to make steel harder or softer...

 

[mdunn]

the only area i really have trouble with is above the lip and the chin area.

Also i heard that you should stay away from vintage "frown/smile" razors as they are near impossible to sharpen.

Ok let's take it a other way. What type of blade would be recommended for me? i hear a lot about these grinds, shapes and tempers... but quite frankly i cannot find a single recommendation. Not even on tempering which seems to make steel harder or softer...

frowns yes - smiles not so much.
Unless you plan on doing all the honing yourself (which you dont have to, if you want to avoid it you can send it out once or twice a year) so it doesnt matter.

What blade for you? Well thats the best thing about straights, there are so many variables in the blade (and then in how you hone it) that theres not just one razor we can all say 'go and get'. People with thick beards generally like heavier grinds, but not always. Youre the only person who can find out what blade works for you.

Stropping isnt any extra time or effort either, its a minute or so quickly before you shave - if you dont have time for it you can always set your alarm clock to go off one minute earlier (or shave at night, like I do so I can take my sweet time)

 

[justice strike]

basicly, it's just... guess, pick and order. There needs to be more to this... What type of razor would be suitable for the sharpest results? do i need a hard tempered blade or a soft tempered blade.

I'm not sure what type of beard i have... i'm half asian half west-european. Sure "I" think i have a heavy beard... but i think it's not that extreme as some others.

what brands have consistend quality? What should i look for?

 

[mkevenson]

I believe that there is a WIKI listing blades to avoid. Get a 5/8 or 6/8 round point hollow blade with whatever handle you want. Buy one from the classifieds here or at SRP and get one SHAVE READY. Buy a strop from Tony Miller and pay the xtra for a practice strop. Get a cheap relatively firm badger brush, best badger and some soap or cream. I would start with cream as it is probably easier to make lather at first. There you got it. My best shaver is a Case blade, Red Imp that a lot of folks said was a lousy blade only imported to So. America. I have an 8 blade rotation.

 

[justice strike]

wow thanx... i wasn't aware of the list of blades to avoid (i did read through the wiki though). by xtra for a practice strop you mean... get two strops right

I'll have a look at the type of strop i'll be needing (linnen/cotton or leather).as well as reading up on some stuff . thanks a bunch.

 

[Jamestellban]

Hey you sound ready to buy! thats great
You should post on what you get, so we all know! I'd like to know as well, since I'll prolly be buying something in the next couple months if not sooner.

 

[justice strike]

"ready to buy" is perhaps a overstatement. But i now have some general sense on what to look for. Had myself a pretty shave with my feather this morning... even though the blade is not new... and i must say, my cheeks feel faboulous.

But i'm also aware now that the chin area is just a major concern with the blade i have... i'm not sure if it's because of the curves and my technique, or because of the blade.

 

[HoratioCaine]

Justice, I'm a bit puzzled. In your original post, all the reasons you listed were why a traditional straight probably isn't what you would want, and you listed no reasons why you shouldn't just stick with a Feather. Nowhere in this thread have I seen a reason put forth that would change the original picture you outlined. By all accounts, a traditional straight won't suit your needs the way your current Feather already does. Despite that, you seem ready to go whole hog with a straight setup, and I'm curious to know why. What has persuaded you?

 

[justice strike]

As i said, "ready to buy" is an overstatement. But i atleast have a sense what to look for. Problem is, with a feather there are these great reviews on the properties of a blade. This is somewhat lacking for straight razors. I have no clue what blade has what properties and therefore it's hard to make a decision.

My reason for switching are fairly basic. I actually don't want to keep om buying stuff just to shave... but then again, if i dish out 100 euro's i'll have around 200 blades which should last me a good amount of years.

I'll get my brothers opinion on this (he's currently using a straight and has used a feather in the past) and perhaps go to a barbershop to get some advice.