First Feather and I'm still alive

[StylinLA]

Had the time to devote to a slow steady shave today and broke my first Feather out of the sampler pack.

I like it. I can see the issues though. Got a couple of what I think are called "weepers." Nicked a mole too.

It's a nice close shave, that's for sure. Need to stay focused.

Pretty comparable for me to the Astra, but indeed a little less forgiving.

[Luc]

Congrats on the shave! Take your time and no pressure! Everything else will fall in place!

[ShaveAddict]

Yeah Feather are kind of not forgiving, but if you use them properly they would reward you.

[BobCochran]

I'm using my first Astra blade and I definitely like it. I find it difficult to determine why, exactly, I like it better than the Derby or Personna blades. I wonder if double-wrapping the blades help Astras perform better? Or does following Kyle's prep routine more or less carefully makes the blade seem better. Any blade, not just Astra. Every time I've taken a shortcut on the prep routine, I've nicked myself a bit. The most visible one was a tip-of-the-nose nick. But my last few shaves have been done at night, and I've taken my time, and the shave experience is generally better. I confess that a major reason for night time shaving is that my wife seems to like this and rewards my efforts. Where were we now? Oh yes, I like that Astra blade. Can't scientifically quantify why they seem better. But they seem so... --Bob

[s1mp13m4n]

I remember my first Feather shave. I remember thinking that this is a serious blade. I remember not being too comfortable with it and I did not enjoy the shave. I got a good shave but it was too sharp for me. I will try them again as I get a better technique down.

[shavingDawg]

I just tried a Feather earlier this week as well. Same experience. You have to be very careful (NO, I mean NONE, PRESSURE). But, if you are careful, they give a great, close shave.

[jsrdrnr]

I love feathers. They are not real forgiving but they give nice close shaves.

[mliguori]

Some people love them, some people hate them. At some point we all need to make our choice. :wink:

[Wann]

I haven't tried them yet. But I've tried the AC and I must say: "Damn they are sharp"

[Biffo]

If you like Feathers you will LOVE Kai's :001_rolle

[StylinLA]

Second shave with the Feather much nicer...now I'm getting somewhere with it.

It's the brand new one that's the killer...or maybe I'm getting to know the blade.

Real BBS

[Nicks&Cuts]

Nice one mate!

The second shave with most blades is the best for me too. Feathers are v.sharp though, my first shave with one left my face akin to a butchers slaughter house.

[The Nid Hog]

Feathers are pretty nice, aren't they? They have a fearsome reputation, but once I got one into my razor, it wasn't so bad. Some people say that the second shave is better than the first, but I find that they all go about the same for me. Enjoy your shaves!

[KarthVader]

Second shave with the Feather much nicer...now I'm getting somewhere with it.

It's the brand new one that's the killer...or maybe I'm getting to know the blade.

Real BBS

I find that the second shave is better than the first. I just treat Feather blades like I would a sharpened samurai sword: With dignity and respect.

[beginish]

It is the sharpest I've tried, but it's a powerful tool in experienced hands.

[dkenn76]

Second shave with the Feather much nicer...now I'm getting somewhere with it.

It's the brand new one that's the killer...or maybe I'm getting to know the blade.

Real BBS

What's your technique? Do you go all WTG? WTG/XTG? ATG? The feather's are probably the last blade I want to try out of my sample back, just curious how you achieved this "real BBS". :cool:

[StylinLA]

WTG/ATG/XTG

I've been doing all my shaves that way for awhile.

But I am puzzling out some things. I get an onset of stubble 3-4 hours after the shave. But right after the shave it's smooth as silk. I couldnt detect a whisker...I mean crazy smooth. One of the best ever today using DE.

The Feather is deadly, no doubt. My technique still needs some work, especially in the sides of my neck and chin area. Think my blade angle is lacking sometimes.

They should be the last blade you try...that's for sure. Make sure you're not rushed for any reason.

I kind of like it, but I'm still pretty sure I'll come down on the Astras.

[SRock]

No need to fear the feather, but you definitely have to remember that they are very sharp. You don't need any pressure to get a smooth/close shave with a Feather.

[jgjoneslaw]

I used a feather for the first time today as well and am very satisfied with the results. However, I had used Blue Birds and Gillette yellows the previous couple weeks and didn't find it to be terribly sharper than either. I was quite impressed with how it mowed through my weekend stubble though which can get pretty thick by monday morning. I actually am of the school that if you have a thick beard a feather is probably safer if you are sure to use no pressure as opposed to using a derby or merkur and having to go over the same spots 5 times to get your desired smoothness. Two passes with the feather today and I had a very nice shave and skin feels great.

[hdorne]

I used a Feather blade for the first time when shaving yesterday morning. My beard is very tough, and I think this is the blade I've been looking for. Not a single nick on the breezy WTG pass, but I definitely got a few on my second pass. My neck is rather decorative today. :redface: However, I know what I did wrong, and I think this blade will be the key to a major improvement in my technique. I've got the no pressure thing down, but my blade angle could use some improvement. I like how there are no "surprises" with this blade. With the Derby's I was previously using, I'd be wrapping up the shave and finding all sorts of bleeding surprises covering my face and neck. With the Feather, punishment is swift but fair. It shows you what you did wrong, then lets you carry on as usual. Cold water was enough to stop the bleeding. At the very least, I get no tugging whatsoever from the Feather, and I'll take a few minor nicks over burn and bumps any day of the week. So far these and the Astras have given me the best results from my West Coast Shaving sample pack.