Feather AS-D1 All Stainless DE Razor

**Mendel** · 06-08-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mendel

+1. I really love my Weber arc finish SS razor and really see no need to purchase the Feather at this time.

I wanted the challenge and broke under the pressure of RAD. What can I say? I love my Feather and Weber equally.

**somebody** · 06-08-2012, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Mendel

I wanted the challenge and broke under the pressure of RAD. What can I say? I love my Feather and Weber equally.

I would love to hear your comparison. I have and love the Weber DLC, and am on the fence with getting the Feather.

**rassage** · 06-08-2012, 07:49 PM

interestingly i have been really irritated and getting cut learning the r41. then i just got tired of it and picked up the trusty feather. the feather cut me a little this time! the feather never even thought of cutting me before. in fact it always left some stubble. i am assuming it was just aggravating the terrible irritation that was already present?

**Predict** · 06-09-2012, 07:25 AM

I've had no cuts or nicks but I seem to get irritation almost every shave with this thing. I don't get it. No irritation with my r41 or r89. Anyone have any insight on what I might be doing wrong? I assume it's the angle but it feels right to me. It's cutting whiskers. I do hold it at a steeper angle than most razors cause that's where it seems to cut best.

**Natohog** · 06-09-2012, 01:40 PM

I would sell all of my razors and keep the Feather and be perfectly happy. Full price...meh, find one on BST...a much better score.

**jepeck** · 06-09-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Predict

I've had no cuts or nicks but I seem to get irritation almost every shave with this thing. I don't get it. No irritation with my r41 or r89. Anyone have any insight on what I might be doing wrong? I assume it's the angle but it feels right to me. It's cutting whiskers. I do hold it at a steeper angle than most razors cause that's where it seems to cut best.

Predict that was my problem with this razor as well, and the reason I recently sold it. In order to achieve an acceptable shave under my jawline and on my neck I found I would have to bear down or perform four passes resulting in irritation. For those with medium to thick beards I think there are similiar but better performing options out there. For gentlemen with light beards I imagine this may be a great razor due to it's smoothness, balance and awesome fit and finish.

**Predict** · 06-09-2012, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by jepeck

Predict that was my problem with this razor as well, and the reason I recently sold it. In order to achieve an acceptable shave under my jawline and on my neck I found I would have to bear down or perform four passes resulting in irritation. For those with medium to thick beards I think there are similiar but better performing options out there. For gentlemen with light beards I imagine this may be a great razor due to it's smoothness, balance and awesome fit and finish.

That's what I'm thinking. I really like the feel of this razor and the build, is there anyone out there with really course beard that has been able to use this razor successfully? I'm using feather blades. And tried med preps. The feathers were a little better for me.

**Triad** · 06-09-2012, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Predict

I've had no cuts or nicks but I seem to get irritation almost every shave with this thing. I don't get it. No irritation with my r41 or r89. Anyone have any insight on what I might be doing wrong? I assume it's the angle but it feels right to me. It's cutting whiskers. I do hold it at a steeper angle than most razors cause that's where it seems to cut best.

SELL IT!!!! Buy 3 more R41's!! Problem solved

**Predict** · 06-09-2012, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by Triad

SELL IT!!!! Buy 3 more R41's!! Problem solved

you know thats not a bad idea. seems funny that i get no irritation with the most aggressive DE razor on the market, but razor burn with the most mild razor?? I wish someone made an all stainless r41.

**michiganlover** · 06-10-2012, 03:41 AM

I used to own a Feather AS. It's a beautiful razor: shaves super smooth, looks perfect, and is mild but efficient. However, since the O.P. is wondering if the price is worth it, I think he ought to consider a Weber instead. Except for aesthetics I consider these two razors to be near equals, and both are examples of some of the best razors on the market today.

I sold my Feather, but kept my Weber.

**jepeck** · 06-10-2012, 04:25 AM

I'm in the process of performing a shave off of the Weber, Feather and ikon OSS. All are stainless razors and all in theory fit in that smooth but effective category. My general conclusion is that the Feather is the best for light beards if money is not an issue. The weber is the best all around taking into account performance and cost. The OSS is the best for medium and tough beards though if you don't mind spending a bit more than the Weber. Once I figured out how to work the open comb side for the first pass and tough areas and the closed side for ATG and sensitive areas it is really giving me effortless close shaves. If minor cosmetic issues don't bother you the current slightly blemished ones you can buy direct from Ikon for $99 is the best deal of the three in my opinion.

**Xilbus** · 06-10-2012, 05:24 AM

If i had to start over, i would have gotten a weber or a ikon instead of the feather. Before i shave with the feather i load up the geo youtube video were he destroys his 5 day beard with the feather and then i go to shave thinking that ill do what he did and im often left with sand paper areas that i have to buff for 10 minutes. His angle of attach doesnt seem to be the same as mine.

Im starting to think that Feather re worked their head. When i shave my handle is almost horizontal and in his video his handle is almost vertical. if i want to feel the blade cutting i really need to have allot of the top plate touching my face. This is a very confusing razor hehe.

**Copierguy** · 06-10-2012, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Predict

I've had no cuts or nicks but I seem to get irritation almost every shave with this thing. I don't get it. No irritation with my r41 or r89. Anyone have any insight on what I might be doing wrong? I assume it's the angle but it feels right to me. It's cutting whiskers. I do hold it at a steeper angle than most razors cause that's where it seems to cut best.

My first shaves with the Feather were less than stellar. If you are getting irritation, try lifting the handle more so you feel more cap and less blade. If the blade is acting more like a hoe than a scythe that can rough up your skin. Also people have an unconscious habit of applying more pressure than needed with the Feather. Believe it or not, for me anyway, less pressure gives me a closer shave with the Feather. With good prep I enjoy a great 12 hr shave.

Remember, a haircut does not hurt and a shave is just a very close haircut.

**celestino** · 06-10-2012, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jim G

I've heard good things about this razor. Is it really worth the $179.99 price tag Amazon is getting?

You could place a WTB ad as they are one of the mostly traded razors on B&B, in my opinion. Good luck to you and you should have no problem selling it if you do not like it.

**AABCDS** · 06-10-2012, 08:36 AM

The Feather is a very well-made razor. After a few shaves with mine, I just couldn't get the angle right on the underside of my jawline. I ended up selling it but I may purchase another in the future.

**Mendel** · 06-10-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by somebody

I would love to hear your comparison. I have and love the Weber DLC, and am on the fence with getting the Feather.

I have the Weber Arc, just received the Weber DLC, and of course have the Feather AS-D1. I have yet to try my Weber DLC, so I will briefly contrast the Weber Arc vs the Feather AS-D1.

Weber Arc:

Positives: Excellent price, nice looking, great shave that requires no change to the angle of your shaving. The Arc coating results in a smooth shave. By the way, my Weber Arc has the classic handle in the arc finish. I refer to my Weber Arc as the poor man's Feather As-D1. From a cost / value standpoint- you can't go wrong with the Weber Arc for a stainless razor. I have used my Weber with the supplied Astra Sp blades, as well as, Gillette 7 o clock yellows and Personna labs with outstanding results for all.

Negatives:
I tend to have a personal bias against longer handles. However, I've gotten use to the Weber classic handle, but I do find it a bit thin. Perhaps, that's why Weber promotes their bulldog handles. I'm just speculating here.

Feather AS-D1

Positives: Drop dead gorgeous razor, mild; difficult to nick yourself, as a result, serves as an excellent everyday razor.Extremely smooth shave. Ideal weight. The razor is such a work of art, you wil spend time just admiring it. I have used my Feather with Feather and Kai blades with excellent results for both.

Negatives: Price justification for many, lacks audible/ tactile feedback. In other words, the shave is so smooth you're not sure you're actually taking whiskers off. Have to change shaving angle to more of a 40-45 degree angle. Thus, the razor has a focused sweet spot.

IMHO, both of these razors are fantastic investments for different reasons. I might steer a newbie more toward the Weber and a more experienced shaver toward the Feather. And of course, if price is the most important factor, I might suggest the Weber. If you want the Roll Royce of stainless razors, the Feather would be my choice. Moreover, if you shave everyday, the Feather might be the ideal razor for you.

**Triad** · 06-10-2012, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Xilbus

If i had to start over, i would have gotten a weber or a ikon instead of the feather. Before i shave with the feather i load up the geo youtube video were he destroys his 5 day beard with the feather and then i go to shave thinking that ill do what he did and im often left with sand paper areas that i have to buff for 10 minutes. His angle of attach doesnt seem to be the same as mine.

Im starting to think that Feather re worked their head. When i shave my handle is almost horizontal and in his video his handle is almost vertical. if i want to feel the blade cutting i really need to have allot of the top plate touching my face. This is a very confusing razor hehe.

+1 If i ever go stainless again it would be the tradere

**rassage** · 06-10-2012, 09:34 PM

no one else seems to be able to do like geo did on youtube. i am guessing he is just a master of the art. if you go over and over it will irritate you. i think you have to get the angle just right and it is a very narrow margin. i can shave off a 5 day beard too. it leaves plenty of stubble though. perhaps geo did too. we do not know that! anyhow, i think this is the nicest de razor currently made. even out of the other ss offerings. i am not a huge fan of bbs anyways so it is fine for me. i am just so irritated from playing with various razors now. that the feather has actually cut me. oh btw, has anyone used wilkinson blades in the as? that is one way to perhaps recoup the steep cost of the razor lol. i found that they dragged. they are not very sharp.

**EdwinJ** · 07-14-2012, 04:57 PM

I wondered how much better a DE could get, compared to my signature Merkur 34c/HD for a fifth of the Feather price; or the Mühle R89, the Jagger 89, the many Gillettes, ... I did not wonder enough to actually purchase one, but thanks to a generous friend who let me try his I had my test drive today.

It is a thing of beauty, feels good, and is nicely balanced. The shave was terrific, not only due to its look and feel, but also because it is smoother than any of the various DE's I have tried.

The downside: a mere six hours later I could actually feel stubble again! This I have never experienced after any shave, not even after first runs with a particular model.

But it is too early to draw my final conclusion; over the next days, I will use it some more and with my technique probably improving (such as finding and holding the angle), the shaves might last longer.

**shanman** · 07-14-2012, 08:24 PM

I bought the OSS as it was almost a spot on repop of the Feather pressure casting, but more of a usable razor. I preferred the more refined Feather handle as it was a tad shorter and had smoother knurling that wasn't as edgy. My Feather AS would have taken me about 5 or 6 passes to get a DFS, so after a couple of sessions, it went. Heck, I even tried shimming the Feather with 2 shims under the cap and it was still too tame. Shame, as it was a truly beautiful razor.