What shavette did you use today?

Shavette: xuanfeng X31, black

How is the Xuanfeng? Is it more like the feather SSor DX? Is it made reasonably well? I can’t seem to angle my Kamisori style Feather DX to shave my neck well. The handle hits my chest, so I wouldn’t mind a filing one if I can get it that cheaply.


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When I shave my neck with the kamisori Feather DX, I shave each side of my neck S-N, N-S and diagonally from the chin to my lower neck. I guess I could also reverse the direction of the diagonals as well (have not tried that).

Have you tried changing the direction of your shave path on your neck?

Shavette: xuanfeng X31, black

How is the Xuanfeng? Is it more like the feather SSor DX? Is it made reasonably well? I can’t seem to angle my Kamisori style Feather DX to shave my neck well. The handle hits my chest, so I wouldn’t mind a filing one if I can get it that cheaply.


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When I shave my neck with the kamisori Feather DX, I shave each side of my neck S-N, N-S and diagonally from the chin to my lower neck. I guess I could also reverse the direction of the diagonals as well (have not tried that).

Have you tried changing the direction of your shave path on your neck?

I have tried all sorts of angles. Maybe with more experience I will get it, but I have a very strong left to right grain pattern just above the Adam’s Apple all the way from ear to ear. I can’t seem to get a close shave without a full right to left ATG stroke and I am short enough that the Kamisori handle can’t pass my chest and still shave. This area is difficult even with a DE as my skin is looser there then elsewhere. I am almost old, it seems.


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How is the Xuanfeng? Is it more like the feather SSor DX? Is it made reasonably well? I can’t seem to angle my Kamisori style Feather DX to shave my neck well. The handle hits my chest, so I wouldn’t mind a filing one if I can get it that cheaply.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When I shave my neck with the kamisori Feather DX, I shave each side of my neck S-N, N-S and diagonally from the chin to my lower neck. I guess I could also reverse the direction of the diagonals as well (have not tried that).

Have you tried changing the direction of your shave path on your neck?

I have tried all sorts of angles. Maybe with more experience I will get it, but I have a very strong left to right grain pattern just above the Adam’s Apple all the way from ear to ear. I can’t seem to get a close shave without a full right to left ATG stroke and I am short enough that the Kamisori handle can’t pass my chest and still shave. This area is difficult even with a DE as my skin is looser there then elsewhere. I am almost old, it seems.


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That definitely sounds like a challenge for sure!

You probably have already tried this, but I will mention it just in case you haven't. Have you tried wetting your fingers, rubbing them on an alum block and then pulling/pushing the skin on your neck to one side (or down) to make the skin tight to aide in cutting the stubble on your neck? The alum will help you get a grip on your skin even through lather residue.I find that helps.

Also changing to a more efficient blade could help as well. I find the Kai Captain Titan ProTouch MG more efficient than the Feather ProGuard. Unguarded blades would be more efficient yet. You could pick up individual blades (instead of buying full packs) and see if a different blade would help. This site sells individual blades, I have not bought from them yet.

https://www.razorbladesclub.com/single-e...duct-11813

When I shave my neck with the kamisori Feather DX, I shave each side of my neck S-N, N-S and diagonally from the chin to my lower neck. I guess I could also reverse the direction of the diagonals as well (have not tried that).

Have you tried changing the direction of your shave path on your neck?

I have tried all sorts of angles. Maybe with more experience I will get it, but I have a very strong left to right grain pattern just above the Adam’s Apple all the way from ear to ear. I can’t seem to get a close shave without a full right to left ATG stroke and I am short enough that the Kamisori handle can’t pass my chest and still shave. This area is difficult even with a DE as my skin is looser there then elsewhere. I am almost old, it seems.


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That definitely sounds like a challenge for sure!

You probably have already tried this, but I will mention it just in case you haven't. Have you tried wetting your fingers, rubbing them on an alum block and then pulling/pushing the skin on your neck to one side (or down) to make the skin tight to aide in cutting the stubble on your neck? The alum will help you get a grip on your skin even through lather residue.I find that helps.

Also changing to a more efficient blade could help as well. I find the Kai Captain Titan ProTouch MG more efficient than the Feather ProGuard. Unguarded blades would be more efficient yet. You could pick up individual blades (instead of buying full packs) and see if a different blade would help. This site sells individual blades, I have not bought from them yet.

https://www.razorbladesclub.com/single-e...duct-11813

Thanks GoodShave! I do have a selection coming from the RBC and some Schick Proline on the way trades for some excess blades I had.

I do use the alum trick. Very helpful, although I did learn that applying alum or styptic to bleeds while shaving screws the lube.

The main issue though is that I can’t get the blade of the Kamisori against the skin in this area because the handle hit my chest. A folding razor handle would work though. That is why I was wondering about the cheap on from AliExpress. I would pay $10 to shave this area without resorting to my DE safety, but not $150…


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I have tried all sorts of angles. Maybe with more experience I will get it, but I have a very strong left to right grain pattern just above the Adam’s Apple all the way from ear to ear. I can’t seem to get a close shave without a full right to left ATG stroke and I am short enough that the Kamisori handle can’t pass my chest and still shave. This area is difficult even with a DE as my skin is looser there then elsewhere. I am almost old, it seems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That definitely sounds like a challenge for sure!

You probably have already tried this, but I will mention it just in case you haven't. Have you tried wetting your fingers, rubbing them on an alum block and then pulling/pushing the skin on your neck to one side (or down) to make the skin tight to aide in cutting the stubble on your neck? The alum will help you get a grip on your skin even through lather residue.I find that helps.

Also changing to a more efficient blade could help as well. I find the Kai Captain Titan ProTouch MG more efficient than the Feather ProGuard. Unguarded blades would be more efficient yet. You could pick up individual blades (instead of buying full packs) and see if a different blade would help. This site sells individual blades, I have not bought from them yet.

https://www.razorbladesclub.com/single-e...duct-11813

Thanks GoodShave! I do have a selection coming from the RBC and some Schick Proline on the way trades for some excess blades I had.

I do use the alum trick. Very helpful, although I did learn that applying alum or styptic to bleeds while shaving screws the lube.

The main issue though is that I can’t get the blade of the Kamisori against the skin in this area because the handle hit my chest. A folding razor handle would work though. That is why I was wondering about the cheap on from AliExpress. I would pay $10 to shave this area without resorting to my DE safety, but not $150…


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That is great you have blades on the way from RBC. I have not tried them, so I would be curious to hear your experience with them.

I wound up getting both my folding DX (wood scales) and kamisori DX second hand. I have seen the regular folding DX for sale every once in a while. Maybe you will run across one as well. I know JATAI International has Black Friday sales each year on Feather razors/blades. That is how I picked up both of my Feather 'SR' folding/kamisori razors. The DX razors definitely have more blade exposure than my Kai Captain Standard or Kai Kasho Woody razors (or 'SR' razors for that matter) and it sounds like you may need more blade exposure.

I wonder if a folding IBC would work for you. I know thicker blades like the Feather Proguard can be a challenge to lock down in the IBC (at least in mine). It would not have as much blade exposure of the DX but it would be a folder and would be shorter than the DX folder as well. The DX folder with its long monkey tail style tang is almost as long as the DX kamisori and might still hit your chest. The IBC can use AC, 1/2 DE and injector blades. I have barely started using my Focus Slim AL R28 (1/2 DE folding barber razor), but it is also short. I wonder if that razor would make a dent in your beard.

I really hope you find a good solution!

Growth: 3.5 day beard
Prep: Warm shower: Stirling Sheep bar soap

Brush: Semogue 1470
Lather: Colgate - Shaving Mug Soap
Load Bowl: Old Spice Mug
Lather Bowl: large CaYuen shave bowl

Razor: Focus Slim AL
Blade: 1/2 DE - Astra Superior Platinum (D2)

Third pass on chin:
Razor: Schick M (H2)
Blade: Personna stainless PTFE coated injector blade

Post: alum, PAA Mysterium Serum

3 pass neck and chin, 2 pass elsewhere. No touch ups.

Next shave is Sunday, and I will probably have the Schick proline available, but not the other guarded blades I ordered from RBG.

I am nervous to try an unguarded blade on my only 4th ever shavette shave. On the other hand, I want to try something different. I don’t seem to like the Feather ProGuard much so far and Feather DE blades seem to lead to a whole lot of irritation for me even without overt injury, so I am wary of Feather branded blades in general.

Decisions…

Dang international shipping…


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Next shave is Sunday, and I will probably have the Schick proline available, but not the other guarded blades I ordered from RBG.

I am nervous to try an unguarded blade on my only 4th ever shavette shave. On the other hand, I want to try something different. I don’t seem to like the Feather ProGuard much so far and Feather DE blades seem to lead to a whole lot of irritation for me even without overt injury, so I am wary of Feather branded blades in general.

Decisions…

Dang international shipping…


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Maybe you should just shave your cheeks for now,or even just one cheek. Then finish up with a safety razor. Shaving is supposed to be fun, not nerve wracking.

Next shave is Sunday, and I will probably have the Schick proline available, but not the other guarded blades I ordered from RBG.

I am nervous to try an unguarded blade on my only 4th ever shavette shave. On the other hand, I want to try something different. I don’t seem to like the Feather ProGuard much so far and Feather DE blades seem to lead to a whole lot of irritation for me even without overt injury, so I am wary of Feather branded blades in general.

Decisions…

Dang international shipping…


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Maybe you should just shave your cheeks for now,or even just one cheek. Then finish up with a safety razor. Shaving is supposed to be fun, not nerve wracking.

Shaving my head, not cheeks. I also have a really hard time only doing a partial shave. All of my 3 first shave started with good intentions of only shaving the sides wtg. But…I just couldn’t stop!

I may just be developing a bias against feather blades because of my DE experience. I am actually doing pretty well with the Feather shavette. Regardless, if I can, my Sunday shave will be something other than a feather brand blade. Either a Kai pro touch mg (preferably) or a Schick Proline.


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The Schick Proline arrived, but not the guarded blades (although rumor has it they are finally on US soil).

Feather AC DX Kamisori
Schick Proline (1)
4th ever Shavette shave
3 days growth (unusual for me)

I did my normal preshave, a wash then soak with my towel hat (love it). Rub on a layer of glycerine soap (365 brand, unscented), PAA CK-6 shave soap (unscented) slightly wetter than usual lather. Multiple re-applications.

20 lap palm strop because…because I have no idea what I am doing or why.

It went great! Very happy with the shave. I did limit myself to WTG and XTG only (except a few very limited areas where nothing works except ATG) and left it at that. I got one tiny nick, the kind that doesn’t bleed and disappears quickly near the end. Very little irritation at all (not completely absent) and no diffuse redness like I got with the Feather ProGuard (and get with feather DE blades), although I feel the degree of exfoliation was similar.

I am not sure I get much from an XTG pass. My eventual goal
Will be ATG, so I need to work slowly to that. Usually I have much less growth, this shave took a bit more effort due to longer hair, I think.

Overall, I did better with the unguarded blade than the guarded blade. Beginners luck?



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