Thread: Machined Blades

Hi Guys, After experimenting a couple of weeks ago with the Feather
Razor against an actual straight razor, the main point of interest for
me was that the straight razor side of my face after shaving had a
more baby butt feeling to it while the Feather shave was just as close
but had a more dry feeling. So......... I have been messing around
with a DE on one side of the face and the Feather on the other and
then comparing both against the straight razor. I am finding that both
the DE and the Feather produce nice close shaves, but both leave my
face with a more dry feeling than when I use the Straight Razor. I
still find that the Straight Razor remains more forgiving as any
pressure or missed angle or going over a scar under my chin produces
little nicks when using the Feather or the DE. I used Feather blades
on both the DE and Feather razors. Out of all the Disposables, I will
say that it appears that the Feather is the only one actually made for
shaving. This has been fairly insightful for me as the Mach 3 also
produced this clean but dry feeling on my face and I can only
speculate that it must be due to the machining of the blades. Being
technically handicapped, I can't really give a more educated
explanation here. Any thoughts?

Lynn

I would surmise that a machined blade is designed to cut differently. By actually making a pure sharp edge, a perfect scraping machine if you will. A straight is designed to cut differently I think, by using offset striations as the cutting tool. The offset striations leave more cream, skin, and moisture, and yet microscopically cut just as many of the whiskers. In this case the whiskers are huge trees getting either scraped off or sliced off, depending on machine sharpening or hand sharpening. I think this is why I can shave with a straight without cream but must have cream with a DE.

In other words the straight has microgaps between the striations and the machined edge is honed completely flat.

How right you are, Lynn. The "nick" factor is much greater with the Feather. I noticed just this weekend that there is almost no flexing of the edge with the Feather, hence more nicks. I have to change my shaving technique between the Feather and my conventional. No pressure at all with the Feather.

-Rob

Lynn,

I noticed this same thing, you decribe it well. I couldn't give you an explanation of why though. I noticed that I have to be extremely careful when using the Feather or a DE with a new Feather blade as there seems to be a greater tendancy to nick or get those little tiny red spots.

With the convential straight, I get equivalent shaves, but a different feeling on the skin.

Perhaps the Feather or the DE takes off more skin for some reason?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I would surmise that a machined blade is designed to cut differently. By actually making a pure sharp edge, a perfect scraping machine if you will. A straight is designed to cut differently I think, by using offset striations as the cutting tool. The offset striations leave more cream, skin, and moisture, and yet microscopically cut just as many of the whiskers. In this case the whiskers are huge trees getting either scraped off or sliced off, depending on machine sharpening or hand sharpening. I think this is why I can shave with a straight without cream but must have cream with a DE.

In other words the straight has microgaps between the striations and the machined edge is honed completely flat.

This is maybe the best description of the diference between the man sharpened and machine made blade I'v heard so far... It makes sence to me. That, and the stroping before every shave to straighten the edge. The DE (Feather) blades are used without stroping, making them duller and with more wire edge with every shave... However, I haven't used DE blade or anything other than straight in almost a year, so I cannot comment a diference... Maybe it's time to get my shavette back and pop a DE blade and see what happens...

happy scraping,
Nenad

I would be remiss if I didn't say that after two shaves or so, the Feather is extremely comfortable and it will rival any str8 with it's closeness. It's just that the first few shaves will "roast beef" your face!!!!!

-Rob

Originally Posted by robertlampo

I would be remiss if I didn't say that after two shaves or so, the Feather is extremely comfortable and it will rival any str8 with it's closeness. It's just that the first few shaves will "roast beef" your face!!!!!

-Rob

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as too sharp, and I think that is the reason behind the difference in the production blades and the straight razor. Those blades are "sharpened" (actually just cut) with a lazer, which does produce an amazing edge. However that edge doesnt last nearly as long nor is it as forgiving as a well honed straight.

The straight razor represents a true "sweet spot" in shaving technology, you can get sharper, cheaper, faster, "easier", lighter and the such... but you can only go so far.

I'm curious as to whether it's possible to actually strop a feather blade in the razor mounting? Could that polish the edge enough to allow for a comfortable shave the first time? I've been wondering this for a while, but since I don't have a feather to try it on. . . I'm at your mercy for an answer

NavyBarber, yes you can strop a Feather for just a few laps to slightly dull it. I did it just for a test but I no longer do it (defeats the purpose of the Feather - but try it out anyway). I just use VERY little pressure on the blade when shaving. The Feather gives me the closest shave I've ever had. I love my conventional too - it gives almost as close a shave (very small margin difference).

-Rob

I think some guys at the Yahoo group actually tryed stroping Feather blades, but I don't remeber the results...

Nenad