Thread: Review: Merkur DE vs Feather SS straight - traveling w/ no straights.

If you're looking for something aggressive but a little more forgiving than an R41 (if you're in a rush in the morning) I like the Fatip. It's smooth, and comfortable, though definitely not as close of a shave as with a straight. I haven't used it in nearly a month now, mostly because I got the odd ingrown on my neck with it, but I still keep it around as an emergency backup.

Just a thought, if you want something with a little less bite but quite aggressive try the Braveheart you can buy the head only, use your own handles for about £15 its a great shave and some what more forgiving than the R41.

Originally Posted by BobH

Try a Muhle R41 with Feathers blades if you are still after a DE.

Bob

Agree.
Alternatively, Astras work very well too.


For the Feather (SS or DX) AC system, new blades need a few shaves before they reach their peak.
In the beginning, I find them harsh.

@beluga... I'm with you!! It literally takes me about 5 shaves with a new Feather SS (professional blade) before I really like the shave. They're literally TOO SHARP in the beginning - and they don't really do any better than my straights for that added knick factor. Shaving with a straight is much more comfortable, but Feathers are great when you can't carry a strop. I think it's the extra length of really thin blade with the feathers that screws me up. Not as easy to "touch down" as with an actual straight.

I agree with you Major, in the end, I can shave just as quickly with a straight as I can with a DE, and, believe it or not, I seem to get a lot less mess afterwards using a straight.

My travel razor, and I travel a lot is my Merkur Futur with a crystal blade. I like the ability to adjust the razor to accommodate my beard. Get a very good shave. When I am home, I use straights. Sometimes I will take my Kai Captain with pro glide blades. Milder and less irritation.

I'm in the Feather Camp for travel...
After trying all of them I've settled on the DX folding - the balance and shank are closer to a conventional Straight IMHO.

And yes, the fresh Pro Blade requires extra attention. I have heard of people "corking" them but that would also shorten the lifespan along with the "un-intended consequences"

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

Another thing I noticed is that I don't like NEW Feather blades with the SS. I was working in a hurry, so the new blades are not necessarily non-cutting. By the 5th day or so however, I can run a very quick and perfect shave using them.

Yes, new blades in a Feather AC tend to be harsh at first.

For me, they are "broken in" after about two shaves.
As I expect a close but also "velvety" shave from my razors, this is one of the reasons that I haven't used my Feather ACs much recently, even though they are near perfect for traveling.

I try now "palm stropping" my Feather AC (same as I do with my straights between passes) to see whether this reduces the harshness of the first two shaves.


B.


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I travel a Merkur 32c and try different blades. The Merkur blade enclosed with the razor was very good. I also like the Gillette 7 O'Clock green blades with the DE over the Feather de blades. I also use the Feather SS shavette and tried the Kia Captain Titan mild blades at the suggestion of someone else on another thread and they work great.