Noobs experience so far w/a Feather AC

[M Guthner]

Had my second shave with the Feather AC this morning - Went a bit farther than yesterdays shave, but tore up my neck pretty good in the process. I'm having trouble getting comfortable with the razor. In areas around the sideburns, my large hands seem to get way and I cannot see the blade completely. I'm trying to let the blade do the cutting without any pressure per what I've read so far, but I find the blade seems to catch a bit on the looser areas of skin (neck, etc). The blade also seems really small, but that may just be my huge grape and hands.

Would a traditional straight with a larger blade and the ability to add some pressure help with this? I really like the idea of shaving with a straight, and will deal with purchasing and learning how to sharpen and strop. Maybe I just need more time on the Feather - I just dont like the idea of ripping my face up in the process.

I also have a Merkur safety on the way - maybe I should just stick to that?

Prep so far is a shower (add some proraso preshave in shower), warm up face w/water, lather and shave.

[AFDavis11]

I personally find both a traditional straight and a DE to be smoother than most any other method. I'd consider going back to the Feather razor later.

[Capt. Pat]

I found that the Feather AC was easier to learn than a straight. That said here is what worked for me and the Feather--

- NO pressure

- Keep the blade angle small, almost flat against the skin. Using a larger angle, like a normal straight will not give good results

- I use Pro-Guard blades--nary a nick

- Due to the various contortions/angles and distance from the mirror I always wear my glasses.

- Finally pull the skin taut from behind the blade, this will lessen catching and pulling on loose skin--you'll need to do this if you use a straight also.

[Joe Chandler]

The Feather is a great tool, but for most people, it's very unforgiving. If there is such a thing, it's almost too sharp. I have one, and use it occasionally, but IMO, a properly honed straight gives a more comfortable shave. The Feather tends to leave my skin feeling much drier, and if you have a small bump on your face (acne, scars), you'll have a bloody spot most likely when you're done, because the Feather is so sharp it goes through obstructions rather than over them. That being said, I love my Feather, and it's one of the few I have in my never-to-be-sold category, but in general I like a standard straight better.

[berzerkeleyan]

I'm just starting to use a Feather as well, Morgan. For me, the learning curve is definitely steeper than learning how to use a DE.

My routine when using a Feather is to do a first pass on the easy areas (side of face, neck), then go back with a DE to complete the shave. For now, I still have no idea how to use a Feather to shave my upper lip or chin with any degree of success, so I rely on the DE to really get those areas Baby Butt Smooth (BBS).

At least you ordered a Merkur. I think that should make your transition into traditional wet shaving a lot easier.

[M Guthner]

Capt Pat - I'm trying to keep the blade about 30 degrees or so, I'll set up a little steeper next time. I'm using the regular professional blades (not the supers).

Joe - I have dry, super sensitive skin. I also have a few moles with a nice big scar on my chin (of all places to have one). I guess I have the right tool if I want to get rid of moles real quick!

AF - I'd like to try a reg straight after recooping the funds from x-mas.

Berzerkeleyan - I'm shaving that way also - My problem is I enjoy shaving daily and from what happened yesterday with the feather, I'm gonna have to wait a couple before my next shave. I look at shaving with a straight as a challenge right now, I'm just not sure if I'm using the right tool.