Feathers bottom out after a couple of shaves

**gse123** · 08-09-2007, 10:47 AM

I've just had a third shave with the same feather and it was pretty awful. It was great the last 2 shaved and BAM it's like someone swapped it with a rusty steel can. Does anyone else have this happen with Feathers? In other blades I use the decline is gradual.

**ouch** · 08-09-2007, 11:01 AM

When Feathers go, there's nothing gradual about it. More like falling off a cliff.

Sometimes I can get five good shaves; other times only two.

**Wil** · 08-09-2007, 11:03 AM

Have noticed the curve with Feathers- too sharp, just right, and then like any other blade. You may have started with a bum blade- this has happened before-

some people will cork the blade at the start- to get it to the just right stage- you may want to try this- other wise- I do not cork my Feathers- too small and too easily to cut myself (fingers)- thus when a bum blade does a number on me- I just bin it and start with another- my face is worth a better blade.

**gse123** · 08-09-2007, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Wil

Have noticed the curve with Feathers- too sharp, just right, and then like any other blade. You may have started with a bum blade- this has happened before-

some people will cork the blade at the start- to get it to the just right stage- you may want to try this- other wise- I do not cork my Feathers- too small and too easily to cut myself (fingers)- thus when a bum blade does a number on me- I just bin it and start with another- my face is worth a better blade.

Yeah. I think I'll stick to my Swede Gillettes from now on. Almost as sharp, and I haven not had a bad blade yet.

**Wil** · 08-09-2007, 11:37 AM

probably best- Thus the sample pack for us to at least try the blades and see what works best for us- nice to know that you tried and it didnt work out- saves later experiments- just a note to remember- sometimes the Feather may not work with one razor and will work with others- Feathers work perfect with my 38c from start to finish- but with my Slant-

the first shave if I am not paying attention to the pressure.

Funny - with the A/C - the Feather Pro works like a dream always- but I control the angle and pressure a lot better this way than with the DE- not really sure why- maybe just the respect because of what it is.

**scoopster** · 08-09-2007, 11:54 AM

Most of the time I get two awesome, unbeatable shaves out of a Feather and then I have to dump it before, or in the middle of the third shave lest trouble sets in, and I mean BIG trouble.

I have had a few Feathers behave nicely for four shaves and others that never seemed to be right from day 1.

This is why I have a love/hate relationship with these blades. I feel like I am still trying to figure them out. I frequently say to my Feather: "It's not you, it's me." and other days "Damn you; It's all your fault!"

In some of my "bad Feather day" situations (much worse than a bad hair day) I have changed another variable at the same time I started a new blade (i.e. cream/soap or razor). So I know I need to spend a little more time with this blade in isolation before I feel like I can definitively say whether they are something I want to keep in my rotation or not. I have read about Feather inconsistency in other threads but again at this point I am not ready to completely place the blame on the Feather. I started using feathers in "mild" razors like the SuperSpeed but I have tried them in others as well. I recently had some great shaves with the Feather and my Merkur 38C and I've decided to lock my Feather usage down to the 38C and one consistent cream and see how things go.

**Amyn** · 08-09-2007, 12:01 PM

2-3 shaves is the max you can get from feathers... and yes the drop in performance is quite noticeable..

sullivanpm · 08-09-2007, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Amyn

2-3 shaves is the max you can get from feathers... and yes the drop in performance is quite noticeable..

Two two three shaves is all I get from any blade after that they start to pull on the hair instead of cut.

**fritz** · 08-09-2007, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by sullivanpm

Two two three shaves is all I get from any blade after that they start to pull on the hair instead of cut.

+1. Well, almost. The Astra Superior Platinums lose their sharpness slowly after the first 2 shaves, but they stay so smooth and never pull, that it takes a while to notice that you're doing 5 passes and still have stubble...

And there are many blades which only give me 1 good shave. And a ton of 'em that can't give me even 1...

**guenron** · 08-09-2007, 05:20 PM

Gareth,
As there is no universal face, nor universal beard, there is also no universal performance from a particular razor blade. What is most important and universal is that every gent find the blade or blades that provide them with the comfort and quality of shave that they desire.

Work from that as a baseline to exact whatever compromises in closeness, comfort, cost, or endurance meet your desires. It can be enjoyable to seek the alpha and omega in steel from time to time, but the product that provides that personally gratifying combination of comfort and closeness is what we all really desire.

**jk47** · 08-09-2007, 05:43 PM

I find the Feather's I purchased in Japan to be a lot more consistent. The North American Feathers seem to have a couple of rotten blades in every 10 pack. Could be they were shipped in a damp environment, or not properly stored once they were here.

**mparker762** · 08-09-2007, 06:15 PM

My experiences with feathers parallel others here. Couple of bad blades per pack, and even the good blades only last 2-3 shaves before dying hard. I don't bother with them anymore, but a guy at work loves them. As with so many things, YMMV.

**adildhanani** · 08-09-2007, 10:34 PM

My experience (only 2 blades so far) is that the first shave is great, the second shave is rough, then the third and fourth shaves are great - like the first one - but then when I get to the fifth one its pretty much dull.

**gse123** · 08-09-2007, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by guenron

Gareth,
As there is no universal face, nor universal beard, there is also no universal performance from a particular razor blade. What is most important and universal is that every gent find the blade or blades that provide them with the comfort and quality of shave that they desire.

Work from that as a baseline to exact whatever compromises in closeness, comfort, cost, or endurance meet your desires. It can be enjoyable to seek the alpha and omega in steel from time to time, but the product that provides that personally gratifying combination of comfort and closeness is what we all really desire.

Feathers give me a great shave twice, and on the third time they usually go completely crappy. I think I'll stick to my gillettes - I don't find them quite as sharp, but they are smoother, and are more reliable I think

VR6ofpain · 08-09-2007, 11:49 PM

I think I am done with Feathers. Yes they are very sharp (two WTG passes and I have very short stubble, good enough to go out if I didn't care), but no I can't seem to get a good shave with them. I always end up with little spots of blood, where the razor 'sliced off' a little bump on my skin. That plus they are simply too aggressive for going ATG on my neck under my chin. The razor litterally digs into my face. Yes it is red and sore. The shave I had tonight (been shaving at night the past week) with my Senator and a Feather was probably the second worse shave I have ever had (with DE's). The worst was a week ago with my newly aquired Milord loaded with another Feather. I gave it one more shot the day after (no ATG) and tossed the blade after that. This blade is just as bad. I figure I'll just do like 4 passes WTG for a couple more days and junk the blade.

As they always say, YMMV. Feathers simply do not work for me. I can get a better shave with a Super Max.

Conclusion: Feathers are sharp as hell, but they aren't for everyone.

**krawlx** · 08-10-2007, 12:10 AM

This thread has me a little nervous. I am about to have my third shave with a feather tonight or maybe tomorrow. The first was so-so, as I avoided the ATG, as my routine dictated. My second shave included the ATG and it was amazing. Probably the closest, smoothest shave I've ever had, but that was also in part due to a better lather. So, tonight for my third, if the same holds true for me as it has for others, I could be in for a bit of a disappointment.

**gse123** · 08-10-2007, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by krawlx

This thread has me a little nervous. I am about to have my third shave with a feather tonight or maybe tomorrow. The first was so-so, as I avoided the ATG, as my routine dictated. My second shave included the ATG and it was amazing. Probably the closest, smoothest shave I've ever had, but that was also in part due to a better lather. So, tonight for my third, if the same holds true for me as it has for others, I could be in for a bit of a disappointment.

Karl,

Just take it easy... and switch the blade at the first sign of any dull performance - don't do what I did and just carry on and finish the shave with a blade I knew wasn't right

**BarryR** · 08-10-2007, 04:20 AM

I notice a difference after three shaves with a Feather. On a side note, I used my 3rd Swedish Gillette blade yesterday and remain disappointed. I know, YMMV, but I get very good results from a Feather and more irritation and a less close shave with the Gillette.

**krawlx** · 08-10-2007, 08:54 PM

I had my third shave with a feather today and it wasn't all that bad, but by the third pass there were definitely some hints that a fourth shave with the same blade might not be a good idea. I'm now going to switch back to the Merkur blades and see how much of a difference I can feel.

**Magnulus** · 08-11-2007, 02:59 AM

No Feather love here. Damn, and I just ordered a pack of Feathers off a guy on eBay a few days ago, and was looking forward to trying them. Are they really that bad?

I noted in past posts alot of people had good results corking Feathers. Does that reduce their lifespan any?