Thread: Feather Proguard disposable SR blades are very impressive - and not just for newbies

My experience with wet shaving goes back over 35 years. I mainly rotate my straight razors; however, when I am in a hurry I will use one of my DE's. I also have a Feather SS Japanese style razor that I use occasionally with SuperPro blades among others sent to me by MJC.

Recently, I broke down and dropped the extra coin for the Feather Pro Guard blades. The design is very intriguing. Those clever Japanese engineers have found a way to mold protective fingers over what looks like a Pro blade. The shave is close, smooth, and safe (albeit just shy of bare blade performance). I can shave faster with this SR blade without concern for cuts or nicks. It is an amazing blade. My wife shaves my neck with it. This may be the most durable blade that I have ever used lasting well past 15 shaves (plus three neck shaves) before visible degradation at 20x magnification. Some shavers may be able to go even longer helping to offset the price premium.

The Feather PROGUARD blade is perhaps the ultimate blade for newbies to SR shaving. But even someone with experience can appreciate the design of this blade.

I've gotten as many as 41 shaves out of a ProGuard blade, but my average seems to be closer to 10-15. When it begins to dull slightly, I find myself using some pressure, and with that pressure one does pay a price. Still, the Feather SS with the ProGuard gives a wonderul shave.

Good report on the Feather ProGuard blades, Gammary. I have used the Feather razor on occasion through the years and always with ProGuard blades. The blades have always given me a good shaves. These days I keep two Feather Artist Club DX razors in rotation, teak wood and pearl, as well as take one as a back up to my straight when traveling. My blades are still the ProGuard.

Great blades. Feel very comfortable using them. They give an excellent, clean, close shave that make you spruce for the whole day.

Finally, a Feather blade that won't make your face look like you just shaved with a yard rake. Brilliant!

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

Finally, a Feather blade that won't make your face look like you just shaved with a yard rake. Brilliant!

Actually, that is exactly what you look like when you use the guard blades. At least until you re-lather or rinse. A fine line where each guard wire ran down your face. They do a great job though.

I am going to get a Feather SS Japanese style razor and I wasn't clear on what the Proguard blades were good for, or how they worked. I didn't know about those 'fingers' running along the length of the blade. I'm still not clear on what their function is (bear with me, I can be a little slow ;=) ). Do the fingers prevent the blade from 'digging in' and cutting you? Are there any disadvantages to these blades?
If somebody could explain a little further the purpose of these blades, and how they work, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks for the interesting post.

You have the function down correctly. There are twenty very fine wires that wrap around the cutting edge at equally spaced intervals down the entire length of the blade. The wires are held in place by two very thin pieces of steel spot welded onto each side of the blade. The wires and side pieces are probably a one piece precision stamping. They actually work well, guarding you from some accidental nicks and cuts. Feathers are wickedly sharp and the guards, to me, bring the feel closer to a normal straight. Without the guards you need a lighter touch and better control. I have the feather AC DX non folder and have used three of the four available blade styles. Only downside to the guards is cost and, to me, reducing some of the challenge of getting a good shave.

Originally Posted by U2u

You have the function down correctly. There are twenty very fine wires that wrap around the cutting edge at equally spaced intervals down the entire length of the blade. The wires are held in place by two very thin pieces of steel spot welded onto each side of the blade. The wires and side pieces are probably a one piece precision stamping. They actually work well, guarding you from some accidental nicks and cuts. Feathers are wickedly sharp and the guards, to me, bring the feel closer to a normal straight. Without the guards you need a lighter touch and better control. I have the feather AC DX non folder and have used three of the four available blade styles. Only downside to the guards is cost and, to me, reducing some of the challenge of getting a good shave.

Well done, U2u, with your explanation. That's exactly how the ProGuard blades work. And, yes, the price is a wee bit higher than that for the other Feather blades.

Originally Posted by Obie

Well done, U2u, with your explanation. That's exactly how the ProGuard blades work. And, yes, the price is a wee bit higher than that for the other Feather blades.

Agree with everything Obie and U2u said. I use the Feather AC-DX Japanese Style Razor and these are my preferred blade. I've tried other brands, i.e. Kai, but I much prefer the Feather ProGuard Blades.