An Educated Observation....

**h22o999** · 08-19-2010, 04:56 PM

Please don't take this as a review of any sort; in no way have I been wet shaving long enough to be able to review anything. I wanted to share my latest experience and get some feedback if possible.

This past Monday I had the worst shave of my life; I have been wet shaving for about four months, and the first time I wet shaved a had some minor weepers and some razor burn on my neck but nothing worse than the best shave I ever recieved from a cartridge razor. So recently I have been trying some different blades (Astra, Shark, IP Red, Gillette Yellows and Greens, and then Feathers). Out of all of the blades, obviously the Feathers are the sharpest, but also I found them to be very rough for me. As I was saying, this past Monday I loaded up my Merkur 38c with a fresh Feather, did my normal "Kyle's" prep, and off I went. The shave, as I said above was worst I have ever given myself. I have never had razor burn on my cheeks, always on my neck, but I did then, and it was terrible!!! So I went on a hunt for some new blades to try; I found that the Iridium SS blades were recommended by most, so I thought I would try a pack. Here is my educated observation; "Jenny, I'm not a smart man, but I do know what a good shave is." And let me tell you, I have got the worst shave and the best shave of my relatively short life all in the same week. The Iridium SS blades are awesome!!! I thought I found my blade with the Gillette Yellow's but these are smoother so far. I have also ordered the Gillette Black's but won't know about them until the week is over with the Iridium SS's.

**Uncle Erik** · 08-19-2010, 05:22 PM

Yep, it all falls into place when you find the right blade. I hope the great shaves continue for you!

**Big Kev** · 08-19-2010, 10:57 PM

I had high hopes for Feathers. They did not treat me well. I also waited to use them as they reputation they have as being extremely sharp. I think they were the 5th or 6th blade I tried in my sampler pack. I have been DE shaving for about 3 years at this point, so my technique works well for me.

Great example of YMMV. Some people love the Feathers, and some people, me included they just don't work.

**pelicano** · 08-22-2010, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by h22o999

The Iridium SS blades are awesome!!! I thought I found my blade with the Gillette Yellow's but these are smoother so far. I have also ordered the Gillette Black's but won't know about them until the week is over with the Iridium SS's.

It's amazing how subjective this is!

Iridiums gave me the worst shave of my life. I find Feathers kind of blah and very unexciting, but love the Yellows, Astras, Kais, and Bics.

The other day, I was telling a friend who I got into DEs by giving him a Slim, that it was all about finding the right razor/blade combination for his face, and how one blade might work on one razor, but not on another, and so on. He has a slant now, and loves it with the Feathers. I put a Feather on mine a couple of days ago, just to try, and again found it blah.

**ackvil** · 08-22-2010, 07:53 AM

Yes, it is all subjective. Derbys, a blade that is not favored on this forum, gives me excellent shaves. So do Personna Red, Bolzannos, and Sharks. I plan to revisit Feathers and Iridium SS very soon.

What has surprised me is that all of my favorite blades work fine in the 3 razors in my rotation: FB, Slim, and Progress.

**talibeard** · 08-22-2010, 11:51 AM

Though maybe technique is a factor in your worst shave as well blades, of all wet-shaving stuff, seem to have the highest YMMV-factor. That is why advice on blades and experiences by other people are funny and interesting rather than helpfull.

Great you found something that worked for you now but keep the Feathers for later use. In just a couple of weeks or months you might like what doesn't seem to work for you at this moment.