Thread: 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.

Originally Posted by Stevie17

The above will shave your face right off.

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.

Originally Posted by Stevie17

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

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.