FeatherArtist Club Black SS Folding Handle Razor

I really like this razor. I work in a barber shop and I had one you had to flip the top up and separate the two layers to load the blade. It was too complicated and time consuming for the frequency I change them out. (After each client) This one is much easier to load and unload. I’m new to using a razor like this, but I feel much more comfortable with the Feather razor. It’s not the least expensive out there, but in my opinion it’s worth the extra money.

I wanted to be able to shave, without having to go over the same area several times, which is the case with disposable razors / cartridge razors, which have a lubricating strip that makes it difficult to get a close shave.With this folding handle shaver, it takes a single pass, and I am clean.Several reviews have people complaining about:-- No razor included.For this type of folding handle shaver, the manufacturer does not choose which blade is best for your needs. There are blades that are for thick beards, and blades that are for sensitive skin, and ones in the middle.I tried with the most aggressive blade, and I cut myself up. It was my first time using a folding handle shaver, and it does not protect you from your mistakes.I then went with the other extreme, and got a close shave without any cuts. But you still have to be very careful.Months later, I still have trouble with my chin and mustache. I end up using a cartridge shaver for the tight areas and the curve of my chin. This folding handle shaver will work for those areas, but you really have to be careful to not cut yourself. I guess I do not have the control or dexterity to deal with those areas.So I use this folding handle shaver for 90% of my face. It is quick, and gives me a close shave. I then use a cartridge shaver for the rest. It takes several strokes over the same spots. But I don't have to worry about cutting myself.If you are new to a folding handle shaver, I recommend that you order blades that are not aggressive. You will still get a close shave, and will avoid cuts. The blades are equally as sharp. They simply extend out of the clamp by different amounts.

For veterans, I can't speak for you as I don't have the experience with "real straight razors". So, the only thing for me to compare this to except for would be the dovo shavette disposable and the Parker disposable. (I dont habe a "real" straight razor). Don't waste your efforts on the dovo disposable shavette. It is complete garbage, despite the name brand reputation. The Parker stainless steel shavette is better than that one. But for a full shave on a disposable blade, this feather is by far much superior! or if you have a barbershop, this is what you should be using! i truly don't see how it would be practical to repetedly do full shaves with either the dovo or parker shavettes. But with this feather, it is very practical. I have only been taking a stab at straight razor shaving for the past few months (no pun intended), but I don't see why I would want to put all the effort into stropping and honing when I could just replace the blade on this feather. I originally used the pro guard razor with this feather, but wanted something a bit sharper and easier so i went with the pro, which is excellent for me. and I am now glad I have both razors. For a full shave, they say you can get 8-10 shaves out of these razors? That's probably true, but I don't use a straight razor more than 1-2x per month, so I change this razor every 2 shaves just cus I want to keep it as sharp as possible, althought i could probably go much longer. Same goes with my safety razor, which I use most of the time as my primary razor. They say u can get a few shaves out of a safety razor, but at .02-.03 cents per razor, why even bother? Anyway, for beginners on a budget that are hesitant to spend this much on this feather razor at first.....i would buy the Parker stainless first and see if u can tolerate it.(do not buy that dovo). I still do use my paker along with a safety razor shave), but my dovo is packed away.......anyway, If you do want to get a little more serious with straight razor shaving, then get this feather razor with either the pro or pro guard blades. You will be glad you did.

I am truly in love with this razor! It is my first foray into straight razor shaving. I can't imagine wanting or needing anything else. I am more into soaps, creams, oils, lotions, and creating thick foamy lather than I am into stropping and honing. It already takes quite a bit of time to go through the pre-shave routine and then actually shave with a straight razor, so I'm really not interested in maintaining the sharpness of the blade. This is the perfect solution. You will get the straight razor experience without all the maintenance overhead. In fact, the machine-honed disposable blades will be much sharper than a traditional straight-razor blade, which is why many straight-razor enthusiasts will recommend a traditional straight razor for newbies over a razor like this. It is much, much sharper.But not to fear. You are in complete control. You will learn to tweak the variables to the specific needs of your face - the blade, the angle of attack, the amount of pressure on the blade, the pre-shave preparation, and the slickness and thickness of the lather. It took me about a week to get the hang of how to use the razor and I can now do WTG, XTG, and ATG passes without any nicks or cuts. Just take your time and use a light touch. What I did was to use this razor for the easy areas in the beginning and clean up the rest with my DE razor, I started out only doing the cheeks with a WTG pass, then added the neck WTG, then XTG, and finally ATG.I use a Feather Professional blade and I can get about 10 shaves out of each blade. These blades are super sharp and come out extra hot right out of the box, so I recommend researching how to cork the blade.I can't imagine going back to a cartridge-based razor again. I get such baby-smooth shaves from this razor and I am also free to focus on the part of shaving that I find most enjoyable -- playing with all the shaving soaps, creams, and lotions.