Blade Suggestions for Feather AS-D2

[ArnoldLayne]

So after procrastinating for couple of years on a DE Razor, I finally decided to take the plunge on one after getting tired of cartridges not performing to my expectations.

I was looking at DE89 or R89 as good starter razor choices but decided finally in favor of the Feather AS-D2 after reading reviews on how mild it is (some admiring that characteristic and others slagging the same). Mild is what I need and the AS-D2 fits my need as well as my desire to treat myself to an early holiday prezzie

My razor should be on the way and I ordered 100 Feather Blades with it after reading all the reviews claiming Feather Razors and Blades are like peas and carrots (pardon me, Mr Gump).

I do want to try sampler blades other than Feathers to see how they will perform or one(or more) of them might suit my needs other than Feathers.

These are the ones I am thinking of ordering to see how it suits me and I might try like a sampler of 5-10 blades in each

1) Gillette Silver Blue
2) Gillette 7'o clock Yellow
3) Gillette 7'o clock Black
4) Voskhod
5) Rapira Platinum Lux
6) PolSilver Super Iridium
7) Kai Stainless
8) Personna Med Prep
9) Astra SP
10) Personna Red
11) Wilkinson Sword Classic
12) Personna Lab Blue

Anything else worth trying with the AS-D2?

I'll post a review on each of the blades (with the Feathers as benchmark) based on my personal experience after I've tried them

Oh and I am not entirely a noob to DE shaving. I learnt shaving on a DE razor and have used it for a couple of years so I know the basics of DE razors and not to cut myself the best I can and all that but its been decades since I've used a DE razor so I am almost like a noob but not quite.

Lets just say I am a born again DE shaver

Please pour in your suggestions for blades other than Feathers that best suits the AS-D2. TIA.

 

[ackvil]

I am not a big fan of Feather blades - except for in this razor. A great combo: a mild razor with a sharp blade.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Yeah that's the general majority consensus I gathered on Feathers. Hopefully it will suit well in the Feather Razor like many have testified of far.

Speaking of Feather Blades...Is there a difference between the Black Feathers and Yellow Feathers? ( I ordered the Yellow ones. If you tell me Black is the better one, I am screwed with 100 Yellow Feathers..LOL)

 

[ackvil]

The Feathers are the same blade just in different packaging. One comes in packages of five the other in packages of ten.

 

[MrSmith]

I'm a fan of the feather and in this razor it really excels. The ASD2 is my go to razor. I also like the Med Prep blade in this razor and the Astra SP has done well. The ASD2 will probably be heavier than what you learned with, so be aware of the extra weight so as not to apply excess pressure.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Thx MrSmith. I hope Feathers work well in this razor. I did order 25 each of Astra SP and Med Preps.

And as for the DE razor I used..it was almost 25-30 yrs ago when I was in my teens but I remember it being a heavy razor with brass coated with chrome handle. It was an old style Gillette TTO razor (can't recall the model but pretty sure it was TTO/Butterfly). I'll be sure to go easy on the pressure as it maybe a habit to break having used cartridges for a very long time.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Another Question on Feather AS-D2.

How does it stack up against the ATT Razor with M1 head and a Colossus Handle? In terms of aggressiveness since I am looking for a fairly mild razor

 

[rabidus]

Another Question on Feather AS-D2.

How does it stack up against the ATT Razor with M1 head and a Colossus Handle? In terms of aggressiveness since I am looking for a fairly mild razor

When I had the 2 together, the ASD2 shined over the M1... The R1 was provided a great shave but I wasn't ready for blade exposure at the time.

 

[bakerbarber]

I wouldn't bother buying all of those different blades just yet friend.

I have an AS D2 and had the previous model before it. The Feather blades are something in the Feather razors.

That being said, they may be hard to compare other blades to. Such a unique blend of sharp and expensive.

Some feel they are a wee bit too unforgiving at first, plateau briefly, and turn dull suddenly.

I use most any blade for one week each. While I'd agree Feather blades are a touch unforgiving on the first shave I don't find they do not last me an entire week.

I have 100 myself from a recent order.

My go to blade is vintage Spoilers.

I know, not much help to recommend a blade that's no longer produced. If you see them in your travels, pick them up though.

My second choice would be Personna med preps or Lab blades. Many debate that those two blades may very well be the same. 100 of either are quite affordable with the Med Prep being a premium over the Lab.

If you get the bug and just have to try different blades, have at it.

Like many things in life beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Asking which razor out blade is better is akin to asking whether blondes out brunettes are lovelier. All a matter of opinion.

I have always had luck with Derby blades. Not much love thrown around for them. Bolzano is a brand I've tried recently and thoroughly have been impressed with.

I always return to my trusty stock pile of Spoilers though.

My question to you is, what will your next razor be?

 

[ArnoldLayne]

My question to you is, what will your next razor be?

Well, my next razor will be a Feather AS-D2 unless of course I decide to send it back. It is already being processed and ready to ship.

I did order predominantly Feathers but I might like to try another blade.

I also want a second razor (leaning towards the mild side and slightly different on the scale than AS-D2). I was contemplating the ATT with M1 head and Colossus Handle.

I want a longer handle and preferably with some heft but a milder head characteristic (I know the aggressiveness factor is a combination of blade gap + handle weight + etc etc).

If I want to keep the AS-D2, then probably not a ATT as second razor..atleast not yet

I was thinking maybe a R89 Head with a Ikon OSS Handle as a second razor choice (the price is too good to pass up on this combination at shaving.ie plus I can buy a lot of other goodies for a great price along with it)

I see there is a lot of love on this forum for both AS-D2 and ATT so wondered how they stacked up against each other.

 

[kingfisher]

PermaSharp super is a nice blade with the feather razor

 

[KnowledgeWins]

I'm another that's relatively new to DE shaving (but an experienced shaver otherwise), and recently picked up an AS-D2 as my second razor. I'm thrilled with it so far, but only have about 7 or 8 shaves with it.

I found that Feather blades are fine in it, although not my favorites. The profile of the razor is so mild that it makes Feather blades easy to shave with, if not tame. But to my scalp and face (I'm a head shaver), Feathers just aren't the smoothest option.

So far my favorite to blade to pair with the AS-D2 is a Gillette Silver Blue. Smooth, comfortable, and close. YMMV, but that's my observation so far.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

I did order some GSB along with Yellows and Blacks so lets see how they fare on the AS-D2 for me.

I'd fit in the same category as you. Experienced shaver but new to DE after a very long gap of course.

 

[Downing]

I prefer Feather blades in my AS-D2 but sometimes throw in something else if I've got it on hand. I use Derbys in my other, more aggressive razors. I have an ATT R1 with a Colossus handle. Love them both, but they are different experiences.

Blades are so subjective. You might want to buy a sample pack from an online vendor. Lots of them out there. The upside is you may find a different brand that you prefer. The downside is you may get stuck with a lot of brands that you don't. But you will get to try a lot of different blades for not a lot of money.

Good for you for jumping in with both feet by going straight to the AS-D2. I started off with an EJ DE89, which is now my travel razor, then bought my Feather. Again, love them both but they are different experiences.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Thanks Downing. Yeah I mainly want to stick to Feathers in AS-D2 but maybe some other blade might be better for my experience or offer similar perceivable experience. Who knows?

I have ordered a bunch of popular choice blades I mentioned in my OP. If they don't suit my AS-D2, I can use them in my second razor which I just ordered today which is a R89 head and a Ikon OSS Handle. I'll probably use the second razor as an alternative plus travel razor.

I want to try the ATT at some point when I get a swing of things with the DE razor. I want a milder head like M1 with a Colossus handle. Or I might try the 7 piece or 5 piece if I get adept again with DE razors.

I confess its been a very long time since I've used a DE razor and I have never used a 3 piece or 2 piece razor ever. The one I used back in my early teens was a old Gillette TTO. I still like the idea of TTOs and might buy one just for trying it again.

I don't want to become a DE razor collector at this juncture and without me taking a single stroke with a DE razor, I have 2 on the way

What exactly is a slant razor and how does it compare in the aggressive scale? I think I was out in the cartridge world when they came with slant razors but reading about it, the concept is interesting.

I was thinking if I get used to the DE razors again, I might try the ATT 7 piece with the M1 and R1 heads as well as S1 head to see how slants do for my case.

 

[awk_m4]

I've written a couple of blade reviews on this forum and I've come to the conclusion that the blade that works best for me is the one that doesn't give me that uncomfortable tugging feeling when shaving the back of my head against the grain.
I purchased a pre-owned AS-D2 back in December. It is now my daily driver. I have so many types of blades but my mission will be to find blades best suited to this fantastic razor.

 

[kaufdrop27]

I don’t have that razor but would suggest trying Rapira Platinum Lux, Nacet’s, and Bic Chrome Platinums as blades to try

 

[ChriWilson]

I've written a couple of blade reviews on this forum and I've come to the conclusion that the blade that works best for me is the one that doesn't give me that uncomfortable tugging feeling when shaving the back of my head against the grain.
I purchased a pre-owned AS-D2 back in December. It is now my daily driver. I have so many types of blades but my mission will be to find blades best suited to this fantastic razor.

Given this thread’s resurrection...

For my mileage the blade of choice in my ASD2 is a Feather, binned after 3 uses.

I’ve found the trick to this razor for me is finding the golden angle with a sharp blade. BIC Platinums, 7 oClock Blacks, Nacets, Rapira Swedes, and Voskhods worked well enough, but Feathers were simply better for me; albeit not as long-lasting.

 

[awk_m4]

I don’t have that razor but would suggest trying Rapira Platinum Lux, Nacet’s, and Bic Chrome Platinums as blades to try

Those are all great suggestions! I have all three and will all get their opportunity. A fresh Nacet was in the razor this morning and the shave was excellent!

 

[awk_m4]

Given this thread’s resurrection...

For my mileage the blade of choice in my ASD2 is a Feather, binned after 3 uses.

I’ve found the trick to this razor for me is finding the golden angle with a sharp blade. BIC Platinums, 7 oClock Blacks, Nacets, Rapira Swedes, and Voskhods worked well enough, but Feathers were simply better for me; albeit not as long-lasting.

It’s the long-lasting part I’m struggling with. I’m a daily head and partial face shaver and I’m generally fine with a one and done approach to blades. I’m going to evaluate each blade for a minimum of two shaves to see how they compare.