Giving up - Blades don't last as long in a shavette

G'day gents, I've started using a Feather AC SS lately after about 8 years using DE razors. I've always used feather blades in my DE. I wasn't getting many shaves out of the pro guard blades I got so I tried putting in half a DE Feather blade into the SS (it works).


I can normally get 10+ shaves using a Feather in a DE, but when I put the same blade into a straight I only get 1-2 smooth shave before it dulls.


I like shaving with a straight shavette style but not if it's going to use 5 times as many blades as my DE.


Why the reduced blade life?


Cheers,
Pete

The only thing I can speculate is that you are using a different shaving angle.

Yeah, I thought maybe the bump on the Feather AC SS was causing me to shave at too high an angle... so I ground it off on a flat diamond plate. I may be the only person who has honed a shavette. haha.

Without the SS bump I've been able to try lower angles and enjoy it more, but still dulls a DE blade fast.

There was recently a post about a shavette that holds the whole DE blade. I suppose you'd reverse it when the first edge got dull. Perhaps the different shavette would allow you to match the angle you use with your DE.

I'm a little lost. You speak of a feather DE blade and a feather SS.

What are you using?
The blades are entirely different.

In my DE shavette: a feather blade (1 edge) lasts me 2 shaves. In my DE razor: it is good for 4 (2 edges). I'm about the same.

Hi,
Yes I'm using Feather DE blades in the Feather AC SS. You just have to cut the DE blades and it works fine, the spring mechanism holds the blade tight. I've been getting really good shaves with it. I've attached a photo, noting that I ground off the SS bump which you don't have to do. I use the DE blades because I've got so many of them and they are cheaper. I also used the Super Pro and Pro Guard blades but found I was still only getting about two shaves before they were dull. Expensive if they are only good for two shaves! Attachment 209864

A Feather DE blade will never last as long as a Feather Pro blade made for the Feather AC-SS razor you can get as many as 15 shaves from a Feather Pro blade, you would be lucky to get 4 decent shaves from a Feather DE blade, and the Feather ( Pro Guard blades ) are the worst blades of all buy the Feather Pro or super Pro.

Thanks dude. I have the Super Pro blades but wasn't getting many shaves out of that either. It was pulling and tugging after 2-3 shaves.

Must be my poor technique...

Well you learn/see something new every day here at SRP.

Never thought of using a 1/2 DE in a Feather, but why not?

Some observations:

For the discussion, lets just say that the Feather Pro is a baseline blade for the "system".
The range of uses in the past has been 7 to 14 shaves/blade for most - some getting 14-18 (yours truly) and a few getting over 21 to as many at 30+.
My blade of choice is the Captain Kai PINK (Kai's version of the Feather Pro) and the weapon of choice is a Feather DX folding.
I've tried the SS Fixed and Folding, Kai Excela Fixed, CJB Fixed and Folding, RJ Fixed in addition to the DX Folding.

When I was in the SS fixed phase - before I found the DX Folding it was the razor I used on long trips - my biggest problem was keeping the blade from being damaged in between shaves. What helped was:

Finding the snap on plastic cover that Feather makes. Saves not only the blades but your fingers and your kit.

Stopped taking the blade out to clean at the end of the shave - I just rinse with hot water and dunk the head in a container of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol for a few minutes. I'd read about the edge being damaged or degraded by wiping (something about the coating) - that and experience and the shaves per blade jumped to 12-14 from 5-7. When I do change the blade the razor is disassembled and cleaned before I load a fresh one.

Dorco/Korea makes a version of the Feather Pro - the Dorco Super (not to be confused with the slightly longer Feather Super - the Dorco Super is the same size as the Feather Pro) I rate them a close third behind the Kai PINK and the Feather Pro for both edge quality and longevity. But if you can find them with decent shipping costs (good luck) they can be had for as low as $8USD/pack of 20. My next trip to Korea I am stocking up...

I've never used a DE in a Feather so I would not hazard to comment on the comparison.
With a little practice the "system" works very well and has amazing edges that command (demand) respect and attention.

Please keep us posted...

I forgot to ask...Dockers or Eagles?

Haha, nice one... go the Eagles. Clearly I'm doing something wrong if 15+ shaves is the norm for Feather Pro blades. I'll try the IPA trick to make sure edge corrosion isn't the issue. Thanks for the reply MJC.

You should try a Feather DX. The angle to shave isn't as steep. I find a Feather Pro blade for my DX will go 5-7 shaves depending on how many passes, the prep and creme or soap I use. Here is a suggestion I found extends the life of the blade. I strop the DX with the Feather blade in it on my rough leather of my SRD modular strop. It will give me 3 or 4 more good shaves. I guess it works like stropping would for a straight razor.

Mjc was a major help for me when I was interested in trying a feather razor. After many discussions an his experience I got to try just about every feather an feather style razors. My go to is the SS folder an my runner up is SS fixed. An yes I choose them over the DX an Kai. As far as blades supers are my pick. I get around 8 shaves before needing to change the blade. But I do have some tugging by this point. 5-6 shaves is best for me. I have thick coarse hair. Blades never last long. To the original post I will say that finding a razor you like an using it solely every shave is the best way to get this straight thing down. Remember little to no pressure. Watch the angle an stick with it. In a month of using it you will be amazed. Good luck.

Great advice guys, thanks for the help. After using the SS a few times I knew that I wanted total control on the angle of attack and the SS bump was interfering with this. Being a cheapo I decided to 'hone' the bump off the SS to make it more DX/RX-like. I much prefer it without the bump and having control.

Good advice to continue for a month before jumping to conclusion that it's not as good as the DE system.

Cheers,
Pete

Vintage Razors

Scroll down to SR14. Stropping a DE or other disposable blade was not uncommon..