Thread: First Shave with Feather Blades

Just shaved with my EJ89 with feather blades. I had irritation on my neck will this go away once my face gets use too these blades. I had been using Derby and Wilkinson Sword.

If you're used to Derby's and Wilkie's the Feather blades will definitely be a step up in the sharpness department .

One thing I will mention is that if you got irritation from the Feathers it has nothing to do with your face "getting used" to the blades and everything to do with technique. Feathers require literally zero pressure and a feather touch, hence the name lol.

IME, and from what I've read that of others, the first shave with the Feather can be a bit more harsh than subsequent shaves. Feathers are about the sharpest DE blade around AFAIK. They were when I was shaving with DE. Gillette Swedes were equally sharp but smooth. I don't think they are available anymore ? Some guys went to the extreme of 'corking' the new Feather. Lightly pulling the edge through a cork before first use.

I never did this figuring that the blade would get dull soon enough without my accelerating the process. Anyhow, shaving with a Feather DE is like smoking Half & Half in a pipe. It will teach you to do it correctly or you will pay a price. Razor burn, or worse, with the Feather and tongue bite with the Half & Half. IOW, if you keep shaving with them they won't change but you will. Your shave technique will improve to accommodate them. Just in my experience.

I've tried feathers several times and they always scorch me. I am a straight shaver too,so I know how to use a light touch.

The Feather is the only DE blade I've ever used, and I couldn't be happier with it. Just give it the proper respect, and you are guaranteed some DFS.

I used a Feather blade once and it was not a good experience. I wanna try 'em again but I am scared. My face was burning all day long.

There is a tendency to use more pressure when the blade is not sharp enough for your situation. When moving to a Feather you have to be sure to use no pressure otherwise you get razor burn and nicks. Also, the razor you use them in is a factor. Mild razors, which the EJ 89 is not, really shine with a Feather blade.

The EJ89 isn't mild? That's the first time I've heard that.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

The EJ89 isn't mild? That's the first time I've heard that.

Terms for razors are always subjective. There are shavers who would use a Feather nailed to a stick and refer to it as efficient. In general, the EJ 89 is comparable to the Merkur 34C. These are not generally regarded as mild shavers. Mild is used for razors like the Merkur OC or the Feather AS-1, that is to say razors with very limited blade exposure (the gap between the blade and the SB or comb). The EJ and Merkur are usually thought of as being in the middle of the spectrum. They are often recommended because of that. For average beards and faces, they are great razors.

A newbie looking for a DE rarely says what his situation is. He simply asks for a recommendation and is pointed to the middle of the spectrum of razors. I am an experienced DE shaver. I bought a Merkur Futur and spent weeks trying to get a shave without irritation and cuts. I subsequently sold it. I then purchased a Progress and love shaving with it. I could not close the blade gap on the Future enough to get it in the range of the 34C. Some users of the Future run it wide open and praise the shave they get. My skin would never tolerate that. Very sharp blades and big blade exposure are not for most shavers. Acne, moles, scar tissue, sensitive skin and many other issues make razor and blade choice a very personal exercise. There is no such thing as a perfect razor/blade, but there is a perfect razor/blade for each shaver.

The fun is in finding yours.

I'm fairly new to wet shaving, and I've used Wilkinson Sword blades and also the Astra Superior, this morning I actually used an Astra Superior Platnium blade, and the results were beautiful..had about 4-5 little nicks on my face.. but no razor bumps, no irritation..used the mild version of the Nivea shave cream. But as I get better with wet shaving I will try even sharper blades such as Derby, and Feathers. After the shave a rinsed my face with cold water, put a blood stopper gel on the nicks.. and put a non alcoholic Nivea aftershave splash for sensitive skin. Was a good expirience And my razor was a Wilkinson Sword "Classic".. I would like to buy a Merker FUTUR.. but thats after I get better at wet shaving