From real straight razor to feather artist club

**shavingnoobie** · 06-29-2012, 05:21 PM

Has anyone experienced shaving both with real straight razor and with feather artist club (SS or DX)? I've been shaving with a real straight and would like to switch to feather because of time restrictions. My mornings are coming very short and I have no luxury of time for stropping and maintenance of the straight razor. Life seems to have become busy lately and my hobbies are cut short. I've been eyeing a Feather Artist Club SS as a small indulgence of straight razor shaving once in a while. Has anyone tried one? Is it a fair substitute for a real straight for people who can't mess around with honing and stropping? I don't want to give up straight razor shaving completely!

Another question: how difficult would it be to unload a good DOVO 6/8 straight razor, latigo strop, Norton 4/8, and a dmt 325 (for lapping). Where would be a good place to sell or, even better, trade?

Thanks for advice!

**Wid** · 06-29-2012, 05:35 PM

It not a huge jump going to the Feather SS. I use one every so often and get great shaves from it.

Here would be a great place to sell you stuff if you had enough posts.

**shavingnoobie** · 06-29-2012, 05:56 PM

Do you have a SS or a DX?

**Wid** · 06-29-2012, 05:57 PM

I have the SS.

**Seraphim** · 06-29-2012, 06:10 PM

The Feathers shave slightly differently, but if you are switching over you will adapt within a couple of shaves. They are great razors.

Another possible option would be to keep your traditional straight setup and buy a Parker disposable blade razor since they're only $20 and use regular DE blades )and can also be made to use Feather blades with a slight modification). I really enjoyed my Parker, but alas, it was confiscated at the airport in Osaka on a business trip a while back. The Parker isn't quite as sexy as the Feather (which is a solid piece of engineering), but it is every bit as effective, and suits your need without having to sell off your goodies to fund it's purchase.

**shavingnoobie** · 06-29-2012, 07:02 PM

Wid, which blades do you use for the Feather?

Originally Posted by Seraphim

The Feathers shave slightly differently, but if you are switching over you will adapt within a couple of shaves. They are great razors.

Another possible option would be to keep your traditional straight setup and buy a Parker disposable blade razor since they're only $20 and use regular DE blades )and can also be made to use Feather blades with a slight modification). I really enjoyed my Parker, but alas, it was confiscated at the airport in Osaka on a business trip a while back. The Parker isn't quite as sexy as the Feather (which is a solid piece of engineering), but it is every bit as effective, and suits your need without having to sell off your goodies to fund it's purchase.

Oh, I didn't know about the Parker. I'll look into it.

**Kentos** · 06-29-2012, 07:11 PM

Parkers are a good gateway razor to Feather ACs.

**Wid** · 06-29-2012, 07:13 PM

I use the Kai milds and the Feather pro blades. I like them both and they both give great results.

**ladykate** · 06-29-2012, 07:15 PM

Oh, I didn't know about the Parker. I'll look into it.

I have a Parker but I don't consider it a substitute for the Feather AC/Kai/SS/CJB style. The AC and clones are quite nice and give a lot of pleasure. They take a while to get used to, though. The Parker, in that regard, will act initially like a very sharp razor - the AC and clones do, too. However, the Parker is light and doesn't have the balance that I like with the AC and clones. The blade life is shorter and it just isn't the same animal (to me).

Having said all that, it would give you a feel for it - just not the full monty.

You can usually pick up an AC/RG for about $85 or so (I think they are occasionally on eBay for about that). Sometimes you can get used ones for even less. You might also talk to Paco about a CJB - which, for a Japanese style razor, is quite good and pretty much the equal of the Feather - but for about 2/3 the price.

Selling your Dovo and kit could be done on the 'Bay or here on B/S/T. A complete kit should go quickly.

I've tried most of the blades for the AC and they all seem to work fine. Even the Guard - which is probably NOT the one you want to buy since it is just a Pro with a wire guard on it - and if you do the math, it ends up being about twice as expensive. The blade will still cut you so the Guard is not that important.

**Snuff-Belgium** · 06-30-2012, 10:06 AM

If you can shave with a straight you will be fine with a feather. The SS might be a bit easier as it's less prone to cut you. But anything Feather (RG, DX, SS) or even a KAI Captain razor will do fine.

**sparco** · 07-07-2012, 11:44 AM

The Feather Artist Club DX Japanese style was my first encounter with traditional shaving. (3 weeks ago

)
I was not sure if i should buy a DE-razor or a Feather AC non-folding. But after thinking it thoroughly I went for the Feather.

When i got the gear, i have to admit, I was a bit nervous. I was afraid it would be too advanced as a first-time "knife". But it turned out that it is PERFECT for me.

Easy to change blades, a beautiful handle with a good grip and a comfortable center of gravity makes shaving a breeze.
I haven't managed to get BBS shaves yet, but I have to say I love it FWIW.

My setups is: As mentioned, Feather AC DX - Mühle Classic Style Silver Tip (size 2) - Fitjar shaving cream (Telemark) - Feather Pro Guard Blades.

Now I'm looking forward to every shave. (Why can't my beard grow any faster?

)