Feather AC Experience/Discussion

[xChris]

So, this thread is to review and discuss the Feather brand of "straight razors" -- AC, RG, ACD-N.

For about a week, I've been trying out a Feather ACD-N. I didn't want to make a traditional review, as I felt I didn't have enough data to make a true opinion/review of this razor. However, I wanted to share my experience thus far with the community.

As you know, I'm heading up a SER Trial for those that are curious about using a SER for wetshaving, but aren't ready to make the commitment in equipment and time to learn it. If you've read that thread, then you've seen some of the struggles by accomplished DE users as they try to adjust to the SER style and techniques. Well, I can say that I am definitely having parallel struggles with this ACD-N! :: At this time, I will say it is a poor fit for giving me a superior and clean wet shave.

As best as I can tell right now, the Feather ACD-N is an injector razor with a sideways handle and no safety bar. :shocked029 I tried using techniques that I use with traditional straights; this gave me cuts, weepers, and facial soreness (UGH!). :mad: I then started realizing that I got safer results if I treated it like a DE, but with no safety bar in front of the blade (for stretching), I wasn't getting close shaves; I'd then try to improve the closeness and get weepers and/or razor burn.

I would say that the Feather mystique was a bit of a letdown for me too. I had never commented on the "flaming threads" elsewhere arguing whether a Feather AC or a traditional straight razor was better than the other -- I just didn't have the experience. I can say emphatically, for me, that a traditional straight razor is superior. I get much more comfortable and closer shaves with a traditional. I can also say that I've used straight razors that were just as sharp :shocked002 (without being harsh) as the Feather Pro blade that I used in the ACD-N (this was my first-ever Feather brand blade, BTW).

The final straw in my inital trial came today when my wife pointed out that I had bled onto my white t-shirt that I was wearing. She said, "Are you still using that Feather razor?!?! Use something else because that's not working for you; look at all the bloodspots on your face and neck!" So, I have a Merkur Progress with a fresh IP (first time with this blade brand too) standing by for tomorrow. :cool:

So, I'd like to hear more of the community's experience with these razors, and I could sure use some suggestions for the next time I tackle it.

[Mottern Man]

Baloosh has had some working with this.

Also did you see Rusty Blades video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rh9hTuDBKU

[IsaacRN]

That video made me want to pick up a Feather. I hold my str8 with the scales straight out in this fashion on certain parts of my face.

[Baloosh]

Yep, I've been using the ACD-N for a few months now, albeit admittedly only on weekends, since it takes me a LONG time to shave using it. But man, what a luxurious and almost trance-like state of mind I achieve! It's one of those pure "in the moment" Zen states that totally relaxes me. Imagine that... I find myself looking forward to the days I can use my ACD-N and spend a good 35 to 45 minutes lost in the shave itself, with nothing else going on around me.

I've dabbled in traditional straight razors now for a couple weeks, and had almost a year of DE use, and my days with the ACD-N straight (using Pro Guard blades still... haven't worked up the nerve yet to try either of the other two kinds of blades) take the lightest touch and the most precise angle by FAR. But when it works, it's magical.

I'm really digging my ACD-N (in case you couldn't tell) ;). Rusty's video (which Will links above) gave me a good reference point, but there's no way I can get it to "roll" around and down my chin like he does in the N/S pass. I have to take VERY short and VERY deliberate strokes to achieve BBS. It's an arduous journey when I shave with it, but MAN is it ever a great feeling during the shave, and especially after the shave! :cool: (Here's where I'd insert the Yin Yang symbol, if we had that smiley.)

[xChris]

Will--
Thanks for the reminder on Richard's video; I saw it when he first posted it, but forgot about reviewing it when I started out this week. Two things that I saw right away:

no significant stretching -- at least not compared to what I do with a trad. straight
He appears to be using a more obtuse angle than I was


Isaac--
I too sometimes hold the scales straight out, and that made the ACD-N appeal to me too.

Jason--
I'd like some of that "magic" and Zen. Looks like, though, I may relegate this razor to once-in-awhile or weekend use to allow sufficient time for a safe & comfortable shave. :(

[Baloosh]

Jason--
I'd like some of that "magic" and Zen. Looks like, though, I may relegate this razor to once-in-awhile or weekend use to allow sufficient time for a safe & comfortable shave. :(

Agreed. I'd rather have one or so days a week of great mind frame and great shave, than multiple days of less-than-stellar state of mind and tore up face. :eek:

[TstebinsB]

I just bought the Feather AC RG. Where is the cheapest place for blades?

[TraderJoe]

I just bought the Feather AC RG. Where is the cheapest place for blades?

Good luck with that thing :D

As for the blades, Are you looking to try all of them, or just the pro-guard?

[TstebinsB]

Good luck with that thing :D

As for the blades, Are you looking to try all of them, or just the pro-guard?

I want the sharpest, most aggressive blade.

[Bill]

I can't be of any help here... never used one.

............................ http://home.comcast.net/~cherylellis01/anim/sleepwalker_lg_clr.gif

[TraderJoe]

I want the sharpest, most aggressive blade.

To the best of my knowledge, the "Super Pro" is the sharpest and longest lasting edge......and I don't think I've seen them cheaper than at Classic Shaving (20pack for $11)

[Scorpio]

never have, never will...I just did not see any advantage to this razor.

Raf

[TstebinsB]

To the best of my knowledge, the "Super Pro" is the sharpest and longest lasting edge......and I don't think I've seen them cheaper than at Classic Shaving (20pack for $11)

Thanks Joe.

never have, never will...I just did not see any advantage to this razor.

Raf

Before I used straights, I used a Sanguine *gasp* razor. I know they aren't recommended in any forum anywhere but I wanted to get used to the straight razor motion. I have to say, I got fantastic shaves from it. When I did start using straight razors, my transition was seemless. I got BBS shaves within the first 2-3 shaves. I thought the cheap design was severely flawed and the blades didn't keep their edge. I figure the vaunted Feather razor is a better Sanguine razor.

[Scorpio]

I'm glad they work for you. I just made a decision early on that if I was going to use a straight then that was my goal.

Raf

[qhsdoitall]

So far so good on the Feather ACD-N. I'm using the Pro Guard blades and wil work my way up to the Super Pros? Since I'm primarily a DE shaver, this razor is not too far a stretch for me, except the skin that is. Will continuing learning. Right now, I'm practicing opposite hand shaving.

[jnich67]

I'm glad they work for you. I just made a decision early on that if I was going to use a straight then that was my goal.

Raf

+1

For me, there's just no point in a disposable.

Jordan

[xChris]

Just so happens, I shaved with my ACD-N today. This shave went much better than previous attempts. I have two theories for this--

The first blade in my injector was bad, and I got tore up from that
I have been using a DE for the last couple of weeks, and that reinforced the technique needed with a DE, or in my case the ACD-N, as opposed to the technique for a traditional straight.

I am using the Feather Pro blades -- no guard and shorter than the Pro Supers. I also used a bigger angle for the shave than I did before. That was one of the things that I observed from Rustyblade's video (embedded above), and it apparently helped. I still have to remind myself of a "light" touch, though. I did manage to give myself some weepers and a slight razor burn trying to get total BBS.

[TstebinsB]

I have a friend in Japan that's trying to get me a new Feather AC DX for $75 shipped!!! :D They go for $200 on classicshaving.com.

[TstebinsB]

My shave today with the AC RG is what I imagined shaving with a traditional straight would've been like.. if I had ever learned to strop properly. You know those Edge shaving gel commercials where the guy has his face massaged by a woman's hand because it's so smooooth. That's me and SWMBO. :D

The interesting thing was that I felt more comfortable when I straightened the razor out completely - giving it the AC DX look. It was so easy to shave that way. Until I get the real DX, I'm going to probably tape the RG so it stays elongated. I just have to work on the chin. This is definitely my new favorite razor.::

[TraderJoe]

This is definitely my new favorite razor.::

Sweet :happy088 Glad its working well for you, Telly :D

[jfrancisco]

I have been shaving with a Feather now for about 18 months and once I got the technique down it became my number one go to razor. Probably the biggest lesson I had to learn, besides the horizontal cutting motion that gave me quite the reputation around school, was that it was ok to finish my shave with a DE. While I was learning, I had problems shaving the lower neck. Things improved when I gave myself permission to finish the shave with a gentle DE if the shave started going wrong (cut/nicked myself). This prevented me from tearing myself up too badly and taking several days to heal. Everyday got progressively better, being able to get further along in my shave, changing to a DE when I would cut myself. It became a game with the end result of having mastered shaving with a straight razor.

Advice . . . take it slow. It took me months to master, but then again I am in a career where a nice training scar ::duel across my cheek would not work too well, so take your time. I've recently switched to using a Merkur DE, but that is only because my schedule right now is SO hectic that I can't take the time to enjoy a nice leisurely shave. Maybe in a couple of weeks . . . :bounce015

[TstebinsB]

Sweet :happy088 Glad its working well for you, Telly :D

Thanks!

I have been shaving with a Feather now for about 18 months and once I got the technique down it became my number one go to razor. Probably the biggest lesson I had to learn, besides the horizontal cutting motion that gave me quite the reputation around school, was that it was ok to finish my shave with a DE. While I was learning, I had problems shaving the lower neck. Things improved when I gave myself permission to finish the shave with a gentle DE if the shave started going wrong (cut/nicked myself). This prevented me from tearing myself up too badly and taking several days to heal. Everyday got progressively better, being able to get further along in my shave, changing to a DE when I would cut myself. It became a game with the end result of having mastered shaving with a straight razor.

Advice . . . take it slow. It took me months to master, but then again I am in a career where a nice training scar ::duel across my cheek would not work too well, so take your time. I've recently switched to using a Merkur DE, but that is only because my schedule right now is SO hectic that I can't take the time to enjoy a nice leisurely shave. Maybe in a couple of weeks . . . :bounce015

My only issues are the jawline and chin. I can get the jawline BBS but I have to really slow the shave down. Right now, I use a DE to finish the chin off. I'm definitely making progress though. I want BBS shaves to be easy. I get it with a DE but the BBS doesn't last as long compared to a Feather BBS shave. In two shaves, I've only had 2 cuts per shave and moderate razor burn. Hopefully, it works out because I'd like it to be my go-to razor.

[qhsdoitall]

OK, I know a number of you have been using the Feather Non Folding Straight Razors. The ACD-N and the ACR-N Models. I'm using the ACD-N model almost on a daily basis now for my first pass. Rumor has it that a str8 is headed my way to help me vary the rotation. But, that's another story.

I find that using the ACD-N on the first pass gives me a big advantage in my shave. I moved up from the Pro Guard blades to the Professional Standard Blades. Eventually, I'll get the Pro Super Blades since I have a tough beard. Once you get the technique down for this razor, it leaves almost nothing behind after the first pass. I have even started doing to ATG with it. I still need to be careful though because there is one word for these razors, "SHARP." You do not take these razors for granted. Ever. I also like them though because they work like a DE for me. It has the same "feel" to it as a DE. Once. I'm done with the Feather first pass and a little touch up, I then use a DE of choice to finish off an pesky whiskers that dare to show themselves. Usually, in the neck hollows or the really tight spots that everyone else says they have trouble with. What this does though is give me a 3 pass, very very close shave with almost no irritation unless I got complacent. That's no different than any other sharp instrument to face experience though.

In conclusion, I will be using this razor for a very long time and mix it up with other str8s and a DE. It's YM<MV all the way and this is the way for me.

[jramire2]

Looking for some advice,

I'm considering picking up a Feather AC non folding secondhand.

Is there any way that you can you tell the difference between an AC DX and an AC RG nonfolding razor by looking at them? I know that the DX is stainless and the RG isn't (and there's about a $100 difference between the two), but I don't know how to tell the difference between the two.

The last thing I want to do is "think" I got a fair price on a used AC DX and then later find out that I overpaid for an AC RG.

[TstebinsB]

Looking for some advice,

I'm considering picking up a Feather AC non folding secondhand.

Is there any way that you can you tell the difference between an AC DX and an AC RG nonfolding razor by looking at them? I know that the DX is stainless and the RG isn't (and there's about a $100 difference between the two), but I don't know how to tell the difference between the two.

The last thing I want to do is "think" I got a fair price on a used AC DX and then later find out that I overpaid for an AC RG.

There is no discernible way to tell by just looking at them.

[TstebinsB]

However, ask the seller what the razor came with: either in a plain box or in a plastic case in a box. Feather considers the DX model a sizeable upgrade over the RG so they provide plastic cases with the DX and nothing with the RG. Ask the seller if he has the plastic case. If he says he never had one, you know..

[qhsdoitall]

:sihns011 Were you bidding on that one on eHay? Did you win it? It was a DX as far as I could tell and I was really tempted to get it for home since I use mine at work. (Not as a box cutter even though it looks like one) :D

[jramire2]

:sihns011 Were you bidding on that one on eHay? Did you win it? It was a DX as far as I could tell and I was really tempted to get it for home since I use mine at work. (Not as a box cutter even though it looks like one) :D

Nope, just trying to do my homework before I start searching for one.

I'd really like to pick up an AC RG as I really don't care if it's stainless or not (provided the RG version doesn't rust), should've picked one up during the group buy. But now that there are a some DX and RG nonfoldable straights out there on the forums, I just want to make sure I don't pay more for an RG than I should.

[Padron]

Hi,

Appleton has it for $79.95 for an RG :)
http://www.appletonbarbersupply.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ABS&Product_Code=FEAARTIST&Category_Code=SHAP01

[jramire2]

Hi,

Appleton has it for $79.95 for an RG :)
http://www.appletonbarbersupply.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ABS&Product_Code=FEAARTIST&Category_Code=SHAP01

Thanks for the link, but I actually meant I'd like to pick up a Feather AC Non Folding RG.

[Padron]

Thanks for the link, but I actually meant I'd like to pick up a Feather AC Non Folding RG.

Oops sorry, have you checked with Telly? He was running some group buys a while ago if I'm not mistaken..perhpas he still has a line on getting some deals?

[jramire2]

Oops sorry, have you checked with Telly? He was running some group buys a while ago if I'm not mistaken..perhpas he still has a line on getting some deals?

No I haven't yet, but you make a good point. I'll have to PM him.

[netsurfr]

I use a feather when I am in a little bit of a hurry in the morning and do not have the time to strop one of my other straights. Must say I enjoy the shave very much and the occasional convenience is nice.