Received Feather SS - no turning back now .

[Kentos]

I hate to suggest it but you sound like a pretty dexterous guy so:

With the light blades you might be able to add a bit more pressure to get the blade to cut vs. raising the angle. Not a lot mind you, just a bit.

My SS was in a rotation, so it was hard for me to keep adjusting my technique to accommodate the more forgiving head design. My DX has a head design that makes using it closer to a regular straight IMO.
Imagine doing this:

View attachment 305068

 

[wquiles]

With the light blades you might be able to add a bit more pressure to get the blade to cut vs. raising the angle. Not a lot mind you, just a bit.

That is how I managed to get the shave done with the Light blade - just increased the angle until it cut. But then it was (to me) too-steep an angle for a comfortable shave. Using the Pro Guard was a lot more comfortable.


So, this morning, I looked again at the tiny amount of blade showing on the Light blade, and looked at the Feather Pro blade I got in the PIF, and said to myself: "why try the light again? You know you did not like the shave with it!". So I basically talked myself into trying the Feather Pro instead

So I put the used-only-once "Light" blade in the blade bank "thingie", and here is what I found after trying the Pro blade today:

- The angle of attack with the Pro blade was much, much lower than with the Light blade.
- The angle of attack felt similar to the angle I used with the Pro Guard blade.
- At this lower angle, the shave with the Pro blade was much, much better, and a lot more comfortable. Night and day difference against the Light blade.
- It was easier to "scoop the lather" with the Pro blade, in order to maintain low pressure.
- I did a 2-pass (and minor touch-ups) today, and got a good DFS today - significantly better than yesterday's shave with the Light blade.
- Today's shave with the SS and the Pro blade was "the" best one so far, with very little, almost no razor burn, and zero cuts/nicks. Wow!

I am also finding that I am holding the folding SS more like a non-folding razor - seems somehow easier to hold/use that way, although probably also due to finding the "normal" hold on a str8 razor somewhat awkward, coming from using DE's for 5 months. I am beginning to wonder if the non-folding SS might simply be a better option for me

My SS was in a rotation, so it was hard for me to keep adjusting my technique to accommodate the more forgiving head design. My DX has a head design that makes using it closer to a regular straight IMO.

That (a DX) might be in my future, once I get more "miles" with the SS

Will

 

[ladykate]

- I did a 2-pass (and minor touch-ups) today, and got a good DFS today - significantly better than yesterday's shave with the Light blade.

Congrats. I find I can get a 2 pass DFS with a new blade with any of the Feather styles. Nice stuff, eh? I like.

I am beginning to wonder if the non-folding SS might simply be a better option for me

It is for me. I like them much better. I've modified more than one folder to a handle type.

 

[Tierdaen]

Glad the Pro blade is working better. I found the same change when I went from the Pro blades to the Pro Supers. My angles and light touch just worked a lot better and I got a much nicer shave. I've since adapted to the Pro blades since they're more available locally for reasonable prices, but the Pro Supers are still my favorite.

I only have an RG right now, but it's held up well. Should consider a stainless model though just because then I can strop on pastes and get more life from the blades without worrying about plating. I bet I can get quite a long life out of a Pro Super blade.

P.S. wonder if putting a shim in the holder to extend the blade that fraction of a mm would yield good results. The Feather Lights and Professionals are the same thickness, though the grind may be a bit different. Worth considering, perhaps.

 

[wquiles]

I am still just doing 2-passes and touch-ups: that is really all I need to do with the SS, and today's shave with the Pro was very good. Not quote a DFS, but good. However, unlike yesterday, I did get one "good" cut - plain stupidity on my part, right above my right side upper lip. Those Pro blades are very sharp!. I think it was Kent who earlier in this thread said something about the str8's having no guard, so it is all up to the technique of the user. The cut I got this morning was a good reminder of that

Congrats. I find I can get a 2 pass DFS with a new blade with any of the Feather styles. Nice stuff, eh? I like.

It has been a week now since I started with the SS, and I have not yet touched any of my DE's (37C, Futur, 1965 Slim [b-day razor], Mergress XL), and I see no need to use them again at this point. Yes, it still takes me longer to shave with the SS than with the DE's, but it has only been a week, and I am still "fighting" how to hold/maneuver the razor. The selling point of the Feather "system" of not having to hone/strop, just put a blade and use it, definitely has me totally converted, as (to me) I get the advantages and flexibility of using a str8 razor, with the convenience of a DE (I have to watch it - I am starting to sound like a commercial!).

Another thing I noticed over the last couple of days, but noticed even more today is with a str8 razor such as the SS I can slightly adjust the downward angle as I make a pass to mimic the "slant" angle in the 37C. I have not been consciously trying to do that on purpose, but I noticed that I am naturally doing the passes that way. It just felt "right". I did keep the 37C because of this unique feature, but now that I realize that I can do the same with a str8 razor, there is really no need for the 37C - I will most likely be selling that one shortly among with some/most of my DE's (I do want to keep the Slim and the Mergress XL for my son as I feel they are great razors to start his wet shaving experience when he is old enough). One thing is for sure - the DE's are getting lonely

It is for me. I like them much better. I've modified more than one folder to a handle type.

Yesterday I went ahead and ordered the non-folding SS. I just "have" to try it to see if that will make shaving with the SS more "natural" for me. I am very much looking forward to trying it next week.

The other one I would absolutely love to try is the CJB non-folding razor, but I don't know how to order one, even an used one. Any ideas/suggestions/leads into getting one?

I've modified more than one folder to a handle type.

Can you please tell me more about how you go and modify the folding to a non-folding?

Glad the Pro blade is working better. I found the same change when I went from the Pro blades to the Pro Supers. My angles and light touch just worked a lot better and I got a much nicer shave. I've since adapted to the Pro blades since they're more available locally for reasonable prices, but the Pro Supers are still my favorite.

Thanks. But as I noted above, I have to respect the Pro blades - the larger exposure also means they are a little less forgiving if/when I get sloppy/careless.

P.S. wonder if putting a shim in the holder to extend the blade that fraction of a mm would yield good results. The Feather Lights and Professionals are the same thickness, though the grind may be a bit different. Worth considering, perhaps.

I thought the same before I put the Pro blade in there. It would be a very neat/easy experiment to try. Ideas/suggestions as to what might make for a good spacer/shim?


Will

 

[ladykate]

The other one I would absolutely love to try is the CJB non-folding razor, but I don't know how to order one, even an used one. Any ideas/suggestions/leads into getting one?


Can you please tell me more about how you go and modify the folding to a non-folding?

CJBs come up often enough. There isn't a site to get them, but you see them on eBay, occasionally on Amazon and there was one on B/S/T last week (25 bucks). Just have to be patient and watch for them. Search Amazon and eBay daily, etc.

Modifying a folder to a non-folder is reasonably easy. Just de-pin the folder, chop off the tang, put on a handle. The second shot below shows a Weck being modified but it is the same with the others. The last shot is a CJB which is actually a folder that was made into a non-folder by the factory (all of them seem to be that way). Strange but true. The geometry of an RG folder is almost the same as the CJB. You don't have to chop the tang but I usually do. Use 5 minute epoxy to bind things.

 

[wquiles]

CJBs come up often enough. There isn't a site to get them, but you see them on eBay, occasionally on Amazon and there was one on B/S/T last week (25 bucks). Just have to be patient and watch for them. Search Amazon and eBay daily, etc.

OK, I will do that. There is a forum member that might lend me one for a couple of days to try out, but if I like it, I still need to know where to buy one.

CJBs come up often enough. There isn't a site to get them, but you see them on eBay, occasionally on Amazon and there was one on B/S/T last week (25 bucks). Just have to be patient and watch for them. Search Amazon and eBay daily, etc.

Modifying a folder to a non-folder is reasonably easy. Just de-pin the folder, chop off the tang, put on a handle. The second shot below shows a Weck being modified but it is the same with the others. The last shot is a CJB which is actually a folder that was made into a non-folder by the factory (all of them seem to be that way). Strange but true. The geometry of an RG folder is almost the same as the CJB. You don't have to chop the tang but I usually do. Use 5 minute epoxy to bind things.

Thanks much Dan - looks like a fun project to do one of these weekends

Will

 

[wquiles]

Got a nice DFS today, no cuts, no nicks, no razor burn, BUT, it was hard doing the shave while looking at the cut/scar from yesterday - maybe that is why I was a little extra careful today

I need to eventually (now that I had a tad bit more experience) try the Pro Guards again, and I still have the Dorco and Kai blades to try/compare, but I really like these Pro blades in my SS.

Will

 

[Grim_Reaper]

Also your lather needs to be as slippery as possible to allow the blade to slide over the skin without taking too much if the top layer off.

Kentos,
If you could please elaberate on how best to do this i would really appreciate it.
Thanks
kev.

 

[wquiles]

Just received a CJB razor today on loan for a very gracious forum member. I will try the CJB over the next couple of days before returning it to the owner. Since the head on the CJB is more "similar" to the head in the DX, and my non-folding SS should arrive in the next couple of days, I should be able to almost try all variations to see what works best for me:

Besides not having quite the fit/finish of the Feather, the CJB is (in my opinion) more than good enough for the price these go for ($30-40, based on prices I have seen here in the forums). I compared the Pro blade on both, and it appears to me that on the CJB the blade is "slightly" further out (more exposed) in the CJB razor.

I will start with the CJB tomorrow and report how it worked, but from ergonomics alone it "feels" great in the hand.

Will

 

[Kentos]

Kentos,
If you could please elaberate on how best to do this i would really appreciate it.
Thanks
kev.

Hey Kev!

There are many ways to skin that cat, but in my experience a slippery lather is one that isn't frenetically whipped up to a thick consistency. Instead I find that after loading up my brush I seldom spend more than 5 to 10 seconds building the lather. At that point the lather is thin and very slippery between the fingers. When rubbing an overly whipped cream lather between the fingers I can feel the ridges of my fingers rubbing against each other.


How much water and product to use is also highly individual, but I would say I add a bit more water than I used to for DE shaving. The ironic part is this "thinner" is great for DE and SE shaving too.

YMMV of course

 

[ladykate]

Just received a CJB razor today on loan for a very gracious forum member. I will try the CJB over the next couple of days before returning it to the owner. Since the head on the CJB is more "similar" to the head in the DX, and my non-folding SS should arrive in the next couple of days, I should be able to almost try all variations to see what works best for me:

If you take the handle of the CJB (don't do it on this one, of course), you will see a similar design for the tang. The CJB was obviously designed to be either a folder or a non-folder. I have seen the same thing as you saw with the blade exposure. It really hasn't changed much in shave comfort for me. But it is definitely a tad more exposed.

 

[Grim_Reaper]

Hey Kev!

There are many ways to skin that cat, but in my experience a slippery lather is one that isn't frenetically whipped up to a thick consistency. Instead I find that after loading up my brush I seldom spend more than 5 to 10 seconds building the lather. At that point the lather is thin and very slippery between the fingers. When rubbing an overly whipped cream lather between the fingers I can feel the ridges of my fingers rubbing against each other.


How much water and product to use is also highly individual, but I would say I add a bit more water than I used to for DE shaving. The ironic part is this "thinner" is great for DE and SE shaving too.

YMMV of course

Thanks for the info mate will try this next shave , Tell me is this the same for creams and or soap?
Any chance of a picture to show type of lather consistency you are talking about.

 

[wquiles]

If you take the handle of the CJB (don't do it on this one, of course), you will see a similar design for the tang. The CJB was obviously designed to be either a folder or a non-folder. I have seen the same thing as you saw with the blade exposure. It really hasn't changed much in shave comfort for me. But it is definitely a tad more exposed.

Thanks Dan

 

[wquiles]

OK, so I tried the CJB today. Some thoughts:
- I absolutely LOVED the grip on the CJB. I am totally sold on the Japanese handle vs. the folding handle. This handle felt "correct" and it was more natural to not only hold the razor, but comfortable as well. I never struggled like I did with the folding SS. Now I am "really" looking forward to the non-folding SS to arrive (probably Tue/Wed) so that I can compare it with the handle in the CJB.
- Unlike the SS, the CJB basically has no guard/edge to protect you, plus with the Pro blade being slightly farther out than on the SS head, so I found the CJB & Pro blade combination more aggressive and less forgiving than the SS with the same Pro blade.
- I got a very good shave today, near DFS, zero razor burn, with 2 passes plus touch-ups, but I did get one cut - the larger blade exposure and lack of a "guard" on the CJB is something I have to get a little bit more used to.
- Shaves still taking me about 20 minutes total, and the Pro blade still feels as sharp as new after 4x uses.
- On the SS you can pick a very low angle to touch the face, start moving down, and then increase the angle until it starts cutting. With the CJB this transition is almost instant, so one has to be a little bit more careful when starting a pass with the CJB.
- Out of the two, I feel the SS is better suited to start/learn with, but the CJB allowed me to choose a slightly wider attack angle range due to the lack of "guard", so I feel with more practice it would be easier and more versatile platform to shave with.
- I think it was Kent who said that head on the DX razor (and thus the CJB) was closer to a real/traditional str8 razor, and after experiencing the less forgiving CJB with the larger blade exposure, I think I understand that comment a little bit better now.

Will

 

[wquiles]

Another good shave this morning with the CJB. Definitely more aggressive, but I really like the CJB. Since I will be returning it soon, tomorrow I am trying again a Pro Guard blade in the CJB. I am basically trying to give the CJB a good work out until my non-folding SS arrives

Will

 

[wquiles]

Results from today's shave Today's shave with the CJB and Pro Guard:
- was a good DFS, no razor burn, although I did get two small/tiny cuts.
- Doing a two-pass plus touch-ups are now the norm with the Feather "system", and I am totally acclimated to the Japanese style handle - feels very natural.
- Shave today was between 15-20 minutes, with no hurry.
- Now that I have tried again the Pro Guard, I feel that the Pro blade is a little bit more "raw", and more unforgiving.
- With the Pro Guard on the CJB it was slightly easier to go ATG in my mustache - like the blade is not catching as much. I feel the lack of a "guard" also makes this easier.
- I like the larger blade exposure and the lack of a "guard" on the CJB, I have a lot more flexibility in the shaving angle and I can pick a lower angle than with the SS head. I still very much want to try the new non-folding SS, but based on the CJB, I am thinking that the DX might be "the" one to have for me.

Will

 

[Tierdaen]

I too like the extra blade esposure. Unfortunately, the price difference between the DX and the SS is not trivial. I thought about getting the SS and regrinding or filing out the blade swells. For now, I think I'll stick to my old RG.

 

[wquiles]

I too like the extra blade esposure. Unfortunately, the price difference between the DX and the SS is not trivial. I thought about getting the SS and regrinding or filing out the blade swells. For now, I think I'll stick to my old RG.

You know, that actually sounds like a very good idea. Carefully taking down that "lip/guard", might be a very easy way to modify the SS head to be "more like a DX" head. Being that the SS is solid stainless steel, there would not be any problem with plating stuff coming off. That being said, another option would be to find/buy a CJB razor - assuming you are after the non-folding type (like I am).

Will

 

[Kentos]

Thanks for the info mate will try this next shave , Tell me is this the same for creams and or soap?
Any chance of a picture to show type of lather consistency you are talking about.

Yes it's all the same as far as final consistency. I will try to dig an example up, but if you think about it the less air incorporated into the lather the thinner it will be, and IMO the more slippery it will be. The only thing touching your face is that razor thin edge so there is not too much need to "cushion" it with a thicker lather.

In the end it's works best for you, so experiment a bit to see what your technique and skin like best.