Thread: Feather question

Everyone goes on about how great feather blades are so I decided to give them a try. Best deal I found was for 50 online. I cant say I was impressed. Ive used them 3X now all on my Gillette flair tip, which has always worked well for me and they tugged/pulled/cut/scrapped and generally mangled my face. My normal DE blades are Astra platinum's but Ive got a grab bag full of others and these were as bad as the worst. I have heard tell there are some fake feathers out there. Is it possible I got some fakes? Is it me? Should I try using them in a different razor? I got 49 of these things left so Im open to suggestions

Definitely try them in a different razor. Every face/blade/razor is a different combo.

I read a few threads with people having the same beef as you with Feathers. Ive never had any problems with the ones ive used however Astra platinums are my choice of de blade.

I guess anything is possible as far as fakes go. Feather blades are known for their sharpness and sometimes harshness on the first shave. Can't say I have ever felt any lack of sharpness that tugging would seem to indicate. I have used them in most of my DEs without any complaints but that is just me. I do have Astras also but they don't get much play as, for me, they are a little too mild to be effective. Again that is just me.

Trying them in different DEs, as suggested, may give you better results. The other thing is that Feathers are unforgiving if you get the angle wrong, use weight on the razor or have a sub par lather. They just plain are very demanding blades.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I do have Astras also but they don't get much play as, for me, they are a little too mild to be effective. Again that is just me.



Bob

Bob.

It just goes to show we are all made the same but different. Your normal 4 pass cold water shave would leave my fizzog fried!

I echo what others have already mentioned. I regularly use Feathers in several of my DEs. They're great blades in those shavers but they aren't great in all my DEs. In lieu of Feathers, I use Silver Iridium (SI) blades in those other DEs. I find SIs are just a tad less sharp than Feathers, but are much more forgiving and smooth from first use and last longer for me.

Perhaps also try another Feather, from a different pack, in your Gillette to see if the 1st Feather blade is just wonky? If that's also a rough experience, hopefully they'll work out for you in one of your other DEs.

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Bob.

It just goes to show we are all made the same but different. Your normal 4 pass cold water shave would leave my fizzog fried!

So true, same but then again different. I'll blame my rhino hide on the old salty dip of too many years before the mast.

Bob

Just my take...
I found that the Feather DE and SE Valet type special blades are a bit flexible. Therefore I found them to work best in a razor with good tight blade "lockdown," and medium blade exposure. A good solid dial Gillette will allow you to play with blade exposure.
As always,, watch your blade angle, as a really sharp or flexible blade will scrape if the angle is just a little bit off.
Enjoy the journey, you have plenty of blades to experiment with.
~Richard

I can't use Feather double edge blades. My face just does not like them.

With my Mongoose, Feather single edge razors work great. I have no idea what the difference is between the two.

Which feather do you use? I use the pro in my Mongoose and it's a great combination.

The SE and DE blades are very different. Kind of like comparing a full hollow straight with a half wedge.