NEW Feather Artist Club SS Japanese style (non-folding) straight razor

[Gammaray]

This morning I shaved with the new Feather Artist Club SS (Japanese style, non-folding) razor for the first time. Here is my summary.

1. The overall weight is lighter and the size smaller than a traditional 5/8" razor. But this in no way compromised my shave. In fact, I appreciated the compactness - able to reach certain spots without changing hands as often.

2. As expected, the blade was exceptionally sharp but not at all harsh to me. A lighter touch is mandatory. I got a few tiny nicks in the usual places but otherwise was very comfortable with the shave. You do need to respect these blades and they will reward you.

3. I recommend the Super Professional blades for the real straight razor experience. This blade sticks out farther and provides a wider range of possible angles than the other blades. I also have a very thick, dense beard and this is the recommended blade for me.

4. The fixed Japanese shape is different. I rather appreciated it by the third pass, which by the way was probably not necessary. The second XTG was BBS. The small size worked nicely under the nose, better than any straight I have ever used. It will take some getting used too because I mostly rotate 6/8" or larger extra hollow ground blades.

I highly recommend the new Feather AC SS Japanese-style razor. In fact, I still think for $95 the folding model is what most newbies should start with before investing in traditional straights.

This little wonder is going into my weekly rotation. Now to see how many shaves I can get out of one blade!

[Rage]

Really appreciated.

I'm currently waiting for this exact setup to arrive. I also got the plastic head protector. For $6 I think its a great deal.

[dakotaev]

I really enjoy mine and use it frequently.

[duderdo]

How do I tell between a new and an older one? Where did you get yours?

I'm probably going to buy one of these soon so I'm curious about the different models and options..

[dieselfuel79]

Got mine earlier this week and used it once with a kai mild. My prepped sucked however. I am about to shower and have at it again. I love the look and feel of the SS non folding.

[Manning]

How do I tell between a new and an older one? Where did you get yours?

I'm probably going to buy one of these soon so I'm curious about the different models and options..

There is only one model of the Feather SS. There is the RG and DX non-folding razors, but those are completely different models. This is the SS.

[dieselfuel79]

[ricardo9505]

woe is me. wish I could afford that baby. but aren't the blades like $1 a piece? how much mileage you gettin out those suckers?

[ricardo9505]

arigato.
regardless, it's a beautiful thing to look at and I'm sure, shave with.

[sensei_]

woe is me. wish I could afford that baby. but aren't the blades like $1 a piece? how much mileage you gettin out those suckers?

a weeks worth of shaves easy (6 days). can push it to up to 10 shaves.

[Gammaray]

Day three and it is hard to believe how sharp this blade remains after going through the jungle that is my beard.

I am pretty sure I am going to get a weeks worth of shaves from one Super Professional, provided the edge does not fall off too fast.

The feel of this little, non-folding razor is really sweet. I am able to shave rather quickly now, albeit with a softer touch than with any of my straights. No nicks today and I am getting more confident with the non-folding design.

Feather's reputation as the sharpest blade on the planet would seem to be well deserved from my experience. This baby is truly scary sharp! You better pay attention when you bring this blade up to your face or there may be a real blood bath of weepers. Yesterday I got one coming across my chin too firmly.

[dieselfuel79]

I was able to obtain a near BBS shave yesterday with my 2nd shave with the SS + Kai Mild. Cheeks were awesome, but I nicked my neck near the adams apple. As mentioned, sharp! I didn't even realized until after the fact that I had a weeper. As Gammaray mentioned, it's a great instrument. I have a lot of fun with this straight and its incredible how great it shaves.

[InkEd]

I have the 2012 Feather SS Profesional folding style and love it. I use the the Feather Professional blades. I got it for $95 at west coast shaving supply. I think the japanese style is the same price. I opted for the black plastic handle too. I think the neon green would distract me when looking in the mirror and the "berry" looks a little "too beauty shop and not barber shop" for me.


Wanted to add that I get about 3-5 really great shaves from a blade and my beard is rougher than dollar store toilet paper.

[Gammaray]

Shave nine and the Super blade still easily passes my HHT at 2-3 everywhere in the edge. There is very little difference between the ninth and first shave, except perhaps my confidence level and "feather" touch technique. This blade requires virtually no pressure to sweep away whiskers like a magnet picking up iron filings. Truly amazing performance without stropping, which would definitely be required by now with any of my SR's.

SR SHAVE.gif

[KorrMuraan]

becoming more curious with straights and zeroing in on this one in particular...

What kind of mileage you getting w/ blades after a few months to play with it?

[Snuff-Belgium]

Mileage for me is 15 shaves a blade, after that I take a new one but I could get another 4-5 shaves out of it. For a while I stropped the blades after that and could get about a months worth of shaves out of a blade but I don't bother anymore. That said I don't care much for the SS (had the normal folding and non folding and the folding with Teak handles but sold all of them, I prefer the DX/RG).