Thread: Should i get a Feather DX?

Originally Posted by AlanQ

Ok Ive been thinking of trying a shavette and consensus here seems to be towards Feather but seriously they are insanely expensive is there that much a difference between a 200$ shavette and a 20$ one? Because for 200$ I could get a fair amount of vintage straights at fleamarkets

"...is there that much a difference between a 200$ shavette and a 20$ one?"
If you really insist on calling a Feather DX a "shavette": Yes, absolutely, no doubt in my mind.

Shavette (a DOVO trademark BTW) style razors are usually flimsy contraptions that have neither the heft nor balance of a classic straight razor, a feel that a Feather DX replaceable blade straight razor fairly accurately replicates.
Once you held one in your hand, you will understand.

To my way of thinking, the idea of the Feather DX is not so much to replace a straight razor, but to complement it for times when either time or convenience do not allow a full razor preparation.

And yes, you can buy several used straight razors, or a very good (e.g. Aust) new one, for the price of a Feather DX, but your kind of calculation will only work if you have already strop and hone(s) at hand.



B.



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Originally Posted by beluga

"...is there that much a difference between a 200$ shavette and a 20$ one?"
If you really insist on calling a Feather DX a "shavette": Yes, absolutely, no doubt in my mind.

Shavette (a DOVO trademark BTW) style razors are usually flimsy contraptions that have neither the heft nor balance of a classic straight razor, a feel that a Feather DX replaceable blade straight razor fairly accurately replicates.
Once you held one in your hand, you will understand.

To my way of thinking, the idea of the Feather DX is not so much to replace a straight razor, but to complement it for times when either time or convenience do not allow a full razor preparation.

And yes, you can buy several used straight razors, or a very good (e.g. Aust) new one, for the price of a Feather DX, but your kind of calculation will only work if you have already strop and hone(s) at hand.



B.


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I understand your point but as I already have a strop and hones it is basically curiosity that makes we want to try one but I am not 200$ curious.

I have owned and used the SS & DX non folding and folding. I also had the Kai Captain folding. The Kai is very similar to the DX in shaving performance. If price is an issue, the Kai will be fine and give you close to a straight razor experience. If you watch Ebay, you can pick up a DX at a very good price. The DX is the top of the line of the SS, Kai and DX razors.

I started with a Dovo "shavette" and from there went to Feather Artist Club SS folding and then a non folding Feather SS. Recently, like 2 days ago, I got in a Feather DX from Japan. Took about 7 days, and here is a hint. Dicker. On ebay there is a "make me an offer I can't refuse" sort of thing, and I made an offer of $135 inluding the shipping. I also ordered 5 ea of the Feather SoftGuard razor blades at $10.00 per each cartridge. I got some blades to try from Buy Individual Razor Blades for Double Edge, Single Edge and Shavettes and I absolutley love the soft easy feeling of the Feather SoftGuard on my face for shaving. They are good for sensitive skin, but would still nick and cut you if your technique is sloppy. The DX is a nice size, heft and well made. Reminds me of a "wedge" in terms of straight razors. The SS will shave you just as close, just raise up the spine a bit if you need to get closer to your face.

Now that said, there is a difference in the DX and SS for the blade exposure. The DX will give you more blade exposure than the SS. The Feather light gives you the least amount of exposure since it is a shorter blade, but it is more exposed with the DX than the SS. Check out this link to a post in this forum that explains the Feather blades and illustrates the difference between the DX and SS for exposure on the ProGuard blades (and they are pretty nice too) http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...lade-info.html. BOTH the ProGuard and SoftGuard will give me BBS shave. I just lather up and shave against the grain and 'voila, so close my whiskers are afraid to come out for several days. I love them both. The SS does have the ability to whack away a bit faster than the DX but tip it and it will get just as close.

I own both the SS and DX versions.

According to the advertisements the SS ought to be milder, but as someone who bought the DX before he bought an SS, I find the difference hard to tell and clearly prefer the DX, which - with its more traditional scales - handles more like a classic straight razor.

Initial shaves with new blades tend to be harsher no matter whether you use a SS or DX, and it takes 2-3 shaves before the blade reaches its best performance.


B.

Originally Posted by beluga

.... and it takes 2-3 shaves before the blade reaches its best performance.


B.

Or, find the cat and give him a shave and then your blade is now "conditioned" and the cat can lick spots heretofore inaccessible.