Disenchanted With Feathers

**Mr. Scruffy** · 10-28-2009, 07:58 AM

After 3 months of wetshaving and rotating between Feathers, Derbys and Red IP's I find myself not really satisfied with the Feather blades. I use all three in my 40's Aristocrat and Red Tip.

Pros:

They are sharper than Derbys and Red IP's
cost approx 40 cents each

Cons:

Can't get more than 2 good shaves from each blade
cost approx 40 cents each

The first two shaves with a Feather blade are smooth and effortless. The third shave is hit or miss as by now the blade is considerably duller and pulls at my beard rather than cutting it. No way am I going to attempt a fourth shave with a Feather.

I get just as good a shave with the Derbys and IP's, and they last longer. Cheaper too.

Is it just me, or is anyone else dissatisfied with a Feather's blade life?

**texbilly** · 10-28-2009, 08:06 AM

Harry, I don't know if I'd say dissatified, but Feather is turning out to be an occasional blade for me. I haven't gone past three shaves with one so no issues with tugging, but my face feels very different and odd after my shave. I think they are so sharp, they seem to remove more epidermis than I'd like!

You're right - Red IPs and Derby are not only a better value, but are smoother and more forgiving. And I'm quickly becoming a big Red IP fan after using Derbys for a long time.

P.S. Try Gillette Super Thins if you haven't : another fine blade.

**ShaveAddict** · 10-28-2009, 08:18 AM

I use Feather since 2 months now, i think it is the best blade i tried yet, they are sharp and you get a smooth shave out of them.
But that's true, i never go more then 3 shaves whit a Feather, that's the bad thing about them.

**michiganlover** · 10-28-2009, 08:32 AM

I can get Feather's in bulk (from "pauldog") for $.25 cents each. At that price, I am not sure I care all that much if I only get 3 shaves out of them.

I have not experimented enough with them yet to know how long one will last for me.

My current blades of choices are Feathers, Derbys, and Red IPs.

**Crazy Dave** · 10-28-2009, 08:38 AM

Feathers worked well in my HD, but when I swiched to an 11C, they were too aggessive. Given thier price, I am fine with being able to use cheaper blades. Overall, the 11C is a better razor, so I won't be buying more Feathers. (YMMV!)

Dave

**Mr. Scruffy** · 10-28-2009, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by ShaveAddict

I use Feather since 2 months now, i think it is the best blade i tried yet, they are sharp and you get a smooth shave out of them.
But that's true, i never go more then 3 shaves whit a Feather, that's the bad thing about them.

I would be happy with 3 shaves per blade, consistently. About half the time I change the blade during shave no. 3 because of the pulling and irritation.

**TimMechEngr** · 10-28-2009, 09:13 AM

I found Feathers to be too sharp and therefore, like you say, only good for about two shaves. I tried many different blades before finally settling on Shark Super Chromes as my blade of choice. They're sharp yet smooth and last at least three shaves and sometimes four. Derby and Red Pack IP come right behind that.

**Gruder** · 10-28-2009, 09:26 AM

Poor longevity is also why I decided against continued use of feathers. I'm an IP guy.

**WhosYerBob** · 10-28-2009, 10:08 AM

I also get my Feathers from the cheap guys for about .25 cents each. I love 'em. I've still got a ream of other blades yet to try, but Feathers are #1 for me.

**Hreafn** · 10-28-2009, 10:11 AM

Feathers are the devil they cut my face to shreds, it is the blades and not me.

**MoJoe** · 10-28-2009, 11:02 AM

I find the Feathers to be excellent blades but very unforgiving. They're not a daily blade for me but in my rotation. I can get 4 shaves easily. I've been using IP's more than any other blade lately and Feathers are 2nd aftre that.

**Mr. O** · 10-28-2009, 11:33 AM

I'm two shaves into it but everything else I've shaved with (Sharks, Wal-Mart Personna's, Sharp Stainless) left my face in roughly the same condition I found it. Feathers and it's evil cousin Derby seem to chaff me something fierce. Can't wait to try my other sample pack blades.

**talibeard** · 10-30-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Scruffy

The first two shaves with a Feather blade are smooth and effortless. The third shave is hit or miss as by now the blade is considerably duller and pulls at my beard rather than cutting it.

That is about my experience as well. They are a bit unpredictable when they reach the end of their life span and very nasty when they get there. However a bit unforgiving they do a great job but at this price point not spectacular enough to justify the price tag for me.

**valmara1971** · 10-30-2009, 04:22 PM

OMG I have a feather waiting to join my rotation. I'm still smarting from tonights shave and I'm now scared to walk past my shaveatorium incase the feather leaps out and slices my head clean off!

**Zen Master Kool-Aid** · 10-30-2009, 04:26 PM

That has not been my experience with Feathers at all.
I get at least a week per blade from a feather... but I mainly use straights and I do a lot of rotating between razors so maybe I'm miscounting... but I can usually get a good 6 or 7 shaves, and maybe even more than that.

My beard isn't necessarily coarse, but it does come in pretty thick.

Could it be a beard prep issue? I've heard people say in the past that the more mellow shaves come after the 2nd or 3rd shave... and that some people would even cork their blades to be able to get them to mellow out before their first shave.

I've never heard of this issue about Feathers... strange indeed. Myself and a couple of guys in my office usually get about a week out of them.

Strange indeed... I look forward to hearing more about this... maybe I'll send you some of mine to try out. I get them in bulk like someone else said. Maybe the manufacturing process has changed or something, but I've been getting great shaves with them. I usually use a Merkur HD Slant as DE.

**brianw** · 10-30-2009, 04:31 PM

IP's my choice. Never got more then 2.5 shaves out of a Feather. Derby's never agreed with me.

**luvmysuper** · 10-30-2009, 04:48 PM

I get a week no problem out of almost every blade I try, and Feather is no exception.

I do have to say that the first shave with a feather is not as good as the second, third etc.

To get a comfortable first shave with the feather I cork it a lot, and feathers are the only blades I cork.

**Kevan** · 10-30-2009, 04:49 PM

Feathers are sharp and smooth blades, but they're too unforgiving for me. I'd rather use a blade that gives me a comfortable shave without drawing blood at the slightest lapse in technique.

**Bright (Satin) Futur** · 10-30-2009, 08:15 PM

Feathers are very sharp - ONE Shave for each blade. I believe the 'edge' is so slender that it is deformed very easily by my beard. The next shave is then using a beaten and battered blade. On the third shave the term corrugated comes to mind. I stopped using them in favor of Wilkinsons. Just took delivery of a 25 pack and they cut smooth and MOST IMPORTANTLY they don't make my face angry. And that makes my wife happy (bonus)!

**SteelCity** · 10-31-2009, 07:57 AM

I like Feathers on Monday morning after not shaving for two days and can get 3 good shaves out of the blade but forgive me, the blade that is consistent for 5 days are DORCO's.

YMMV