First Shave with a Feather SS

So Amazon had a decent deal over the weekend for a Feather SS in 'wine'; just the color I wanted. I also picked up a pack of 'pro-guard' and 'super' blades.

Went with the PG blades for my inaugural shave (this is my first time) with a ChiefBroom Paladin Chef in 28mm with MdC soap.

The result: A DFS+ without any weepers or nicks. Minimal irritation as well.

I will have to say, I was very thankful for the PG blades because there were a few times I was almost certain that I cut myself. I didn't achieve a full BBS shave, but I think I will get there once I figure out the best 'angles' of attack.

I hope this doesn't open up another rabbit hole that is straight razors......

Any tips from you veterans out here?

Hi there.
My best advice is to always refine your stretching and test your soaps for those that are equally slick and protective.

Stretching is key with any bare blade razor really.
You can watch Turkish barbers on YouTube for the best (in my opinion ) stretching rythems and also the Italian barbers are high in skill. angle is important also.

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Only three weeks in, but Caleb has the best advice especially for the newbie. Stretch, stretch and stretch. Do it without the razor and feel which way the hair stands up. I have wild beard growth below the jawline and it takes many different approaches. Also I have found a little wetter soap is much better than a thick lather. Soap slickness is first because you need glide so as to not add pressure to the artist. Trust me, it will bite, but not to worry, sharp clean cuts are not really felt until you see that wonderful color on your face. Just kidding, take your time, slow and steady is the key. No winners because it's not a race. Enjoy, relax, listen to music or just the quiet.

Go slow. Watch your angles. If the blade "catches", dont try to force it, just stop, lift the blade, and reset.

If you want to watch sone videos of a man that shaves with exceptional skills, find Caleb's YouTube channel. His smooth demeanor is what we should all be trying to achieve. He makes it look easy...

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Stretching skin. Got it. I didn't do that too much so that may explain why when going atg in the normal spots I felt good blade contact but still only came up with a dfs vs bbs.

How long do you guys typically use a blade for?

I go by how it feels. Once it starts to pull, I change out.

I go by how it feels.  Once it starts to pull, I change out.

It's kind of tugging at the first use, but that's prob user error and the pro guard 'cage'.

I'm trying to get an idea of when the pulling is poor techniques and when it's the blade dying.

So I got my first nick with the ss. I think the blade is done as this last shave I got more tugging than previously...seams like I eeked out 5 shaves, bit in the future I'll probably stick with 4.

I think the progard blade 'guards' are also a bit tuggy. I'm not confident enough yet to use a super blade so I went the other way and order a pack of light blades... We'll see how that goes...

Wish me luck!

You're doing really well. I'm six weeks into straight shaving (Feather SS, DX and a GD straight), and I've shed a lot more blood than you have, only because I'm impatient by nature. But I've also learned a lot, too. It took me a full six months to get totally comfortable with a devette, and I'm estimating about the same time for the Feather ACs and straights.

Anyway, with regard to blades, I started out with the Pros but quickly switched to ProSupers. The latter are supposed to be the most aggressive, but I find them more forgiving than the Pros, because they're thicker. It may be counterintuitive, but consider the ProSupers if the other varieties don't work for you.

You're doing really well. I'm six weeks into straight shaving (Feather SS, DX and a GD straight), and I've shed a lot more blood than you have, only because I'm impatient by nature. But I've also learned a lot, too. It took me a full six months to get totally comfortable with a devette, and I'm estimating about the same time for the Feather ACs and straights.

Anyway, with regard to blades, I started out with the Pros but quickly switched to ProSupers. The latter are supposed to be the most aggressive, but I find them more forgiving than the Pros, because they're thicker. It may be counterintuitive, but consider the ProSupers if the other varieties don't work for you.

My regular Barber (which is this guy http://youtu.be/xnuZS7RSjbs) indicated to me that Asians tend to have very thick hair shafts and that I should use supers.


I have super blades, but only use the progard blades for leaning reasons. I will switch to light blades after the progards than to the supers....

I know if it wasn't for the guard cage I would have definitely cut myself a few times since I came in at weird angles and the blade bit me.