RE: Wednesday
Dr Rick said:
Would you say the AC with ProGuard blades was suitable for a beginner to straights, in the way that most say a Shavette isn't?
While I have not shaved with a shavette (I knew the dangers mainly due to the difference in technique required but also due to the existence of these shavette blades, as compared to a traditional straight razor), the answer I would personally give is a full YES.
Definitely yes.
People say that there are also differences between shaving with a traditional straight and with a Feather AC. Yes, this is true, but I personally find that these reported differences are not that great once you do build up muscle memory and get used to straight shaving in general.
In my case of course I started from traditional/conventional straights and then moved on to the Feather AC RG using the 'Light' blade for a few shaves with great caution. Perhaps it was that exactly because of that reason (i.e. starting with standard straights) I got to adapt easier/faster to the Feather straights.
After going back to traditional straights for a few more months, and once the technique there solidified even more, I got the new Feather SS. It was that razor which I loaded with a ProGuard for the first time and the shave was a 99% BBS with two simple passes. Straight after that, I used the 'Light' blade on the SS. Big difference, the ProGuard spoils you.
Then I changed location and could only use the AC RG. Loaded it up with a 'Light' blade, same feeling and results - the ProGuard is a better blade to use. The 'Light' offers less exposure from the razor, which may seem safer, but on the other hand the construction of the ProGuard blade is fundamentally geared towards safe shaving.
Last but not least, from my limited experience in straight shaving, I cannot stress enough that (in my personal opinion) it is best to start with a conventional straight. This is the school where you'll learn to have the right technique. Once you work that there for at least a while, any jump to any other medium will be much more easy to attain (simply because it'll be a step down, even if we're talking about a very minor step down for the case of Feather folding straights).
Now if you ask about Kamisori-style razors, these require different technique again, but personally I haven't got into that yet.
Feather AC RG Midnight Wood scales loaded with Feather Light blade:
