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

Details first:

I was in meetings in Florida last week, so I couldn't carry my strops and needed something quick as it was meetings all day and (as always) 7 days/week shaving. The razors I took (both bought from Amazon):

- Merker Long Handled DE with Feather blades
- Feather SS with Feather professional blades.

Both were using Truefitt & Hill soap along with a mug @Razorfeld sent me (good mug, so don't worry about lather and I added glycerin)

Bottom line, no comparison. The Feather is AWESOME compared to the DE. More over, after using real straights for the last 3-4 months, I can shave as quick with a Feather SS as I can with a DE. I anyone here has suggestions on DE's, I'd be happy to hear it as I travel a lot. 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.

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

Bob

The above will shave your face right off.

You may want to try different blades with the Merkur you already on. My experience with Feather blades mirrors yours and I found Personnas and Bics to be more comfortable out of the wrapper. For what it's worth, when I cannot travel with my straights I use a Merkur 23c and cannot complain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stevie17

The above will shave your face right off.

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Yea, the Muhle R41 has a bad reputation with some for sure. I have the current 2013 version which has not removed my face at all and is my travel razor.

If you can apply the cardinal tenants of straight razor shaving, virtually no pressure on the blade and using/maintaining the proper blade angle, the 2013 version is a terrific shaver. Forgiving it is not, in common with a straight, manageable and efficient it is.

I say that as I did wonder about it's reputation so I tried one. I have my shaving with a straight fairly well sorted out so the Muhle R41 2013 version works just fine for me. You just can't be sloppy and fast with it, there are other less efficient DEs for that sort of shaving.

Bob

I agree Bob it gives a great shave but you must show the proper respect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stevie17

I agree Bob it gives a great shave but you must show the proper respect.

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Must have misunderstood what you meant. Sorry, I do that every now and then. Yea, the short of it is proper respect for sure.

Bob

Gentlemen,

I often have called the Muhle R41 a mean razor, but it has been only in jest. In truth, as BobH has suggested, it is a superb shaver. And yes, demanding respect as much as the straight razor — angle, pressure, and so on. When I had my R41 — the 2011 version — I used Super Iridium, Gillette yellows, PermaSharp Super and Persona blades, my standard brands when using the double edge. For me, the Feather blade, although sharp, lacks the smoothness of the brands I have noted. I usually gave it two shaves and out. The Feather is a fine blade, but my Hollywood face doesn't like it — just personal preference.

Yea, like Gobbo and Obie have said, trying different blades can make a big difference too as far as comfort goes. Everyone has a different skin type as far as sensitivity goes.

Bob

Boy, something else I hadn't anticipated - in grown hairs! I used to get them with disposables and haven't for MONTHS while using straight razors. I used the DE for maybe 4 days out of the last week and sure enough, in grown hair on my jaw.

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobH

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

Bob

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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"

Quote:

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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.

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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.