Feather Blade - Item of the Week 4/1/13

[blzrfn]

I used a new Feather loaded in my black handled Super Speed this morning along with my Simpson Rover Best, DR Harris Windsor and followed by vintage Avon Deep Woods. The Feather was very sharp, gave me a very close shave but also created a little irritation and one weeper. The irritation was most likely caused by the over use of pressure as I just got through using a Polsilver Super Iridium which is much more forgiving of improper technique. There is no lingering burn or redness, just a little extra sting when applying my aftershave. Looking forward to giving it another go tomorrow in my Merkur HD.

 

[Toothpick]

I used Clubman instead of the Neutrogena, It was a last minute choice that paid off well. a DFS no doubt. Slim set on 7 for WTG then 5 for ATG.

 

[striker6]

I got the Feather mixed in to Old Spice Monday!!!

 

[acissa]

So, I actually started using Feathers again last Friday, in preparation for this event. Really smooth shaves. After 2.5 years of traditional wet shaving, my technique is actually to the point where I can get great shaves with Feathers. I had given up due to earlier failures, but glad I tried again - well worth it.

 

[Mississip]

I'm in! All I had left on Sunday was one of the two feathers a buddy on the boat gave me to try out. Waiting on my first 100 Astra SPs.

 

[bodistaffa]

I am in. I also like the astra sp. How ever a trick for me is to cork my feather (keep it pg What I mean is before I put it into razor I slightly run it through a wine cork. I have very fair skin, and it is a touch sharp right out of the gate for me. This allows me to get 5 great shaves from one blade especially in my EJ89.

 

[OldSaw]

Every time I return to the Feather blade, I'm reminded how it is way out in front of most other blades I have. The shave is almost always smoother with less->no AS burn. Smooth as silk. I honestly don't know why I use any other blade.

I hear you. I have only been using Feather blades for most of my shaves for about 2 years now. I have a few other blades that get used when traveling, since I know they will only see one or two shaves before getting tossed.

 

[OldSaw]

I was going to use a new blade today, but I got up late and went with the Feather that was already loaded. It had 9 shaves on it and #10 was still DFS with only 2 passes.

Lather was Cella with the B&B Essential brush.

 

[OldSaw]

I am in. I also like the astra sp. How ever a trick for me is to cork my feather (keep it pg What I mean is before I put it into razor I slightly run it through a wine cork. I have very fair skin, and it is a touch sharp right out of the gate for me. This allows me to get 5 great shaves from one blade especially in my EJ89.

I don't think that I have ever corked a Feather. However, I used the technique a lot on some blades that I had a lot of and wanted to use up, which were a little on the rough side. The cork really smooths out a rough blade.

 

[Haggises]

I gotta use a DE all week??
Sheesh. Tough crowd.

 

[OldSaw]

I gotta use a DE all week??
Sheesh. Tough crowd.

You could break it in half and then it would be an SE.

 

[Jimbob]

I am in. I also like the astra sp. How ever a trick for me is to cork my feather (keep it pg What I mean is before I put it into razor I slightly run it through a wine cork. I have very fair skin, and it is a touch sharp right out of the gate for me. This allows me to get 5 great shaves from one blade especially in my EJ89.

I'm with you on the corking buddy. I lathered up some VDH and popped my freshly corked Feather in my Krona, great shave! I doubt I ever use any kind of blade in this razor, they just seemed to be a perfect match.

 

[coolbus18]

I'm in, thanks! I like to use the Feather in my '47 Crat or 1925 Bostonian. I like how a Feather sings in an oc shaver. Astras no,no , not in my house! Gave them to a neighbor. Enjoy your shaves!

 

[Luke49783]

I'm in! Feathers are my usual blades. I deviated at the end of last week to try a Derby since I had 35 of them sitting in the drawer (initially 5, then I ordered 30 feathers and had the seller ship the wrong item). Worst shave I've had, I tossed the blade after one shave. I switched to a Personna Blue over the weekend after getting some from another member, much nicer. I was going to finish out the week with the Personna, but I guess I'll have to switch to a Feather!

 

[detlawks]

This is too easy. I used my first Feather in 2006, in a Slant, and haven't used anything else since. However, I would like to try a Cobra someday.

 

[temjeito]

Simple, beautiful shave. Merkur 34c HD, Feather blade, Mitchell's Wool Fat soap. Finished with Captain's Choice Cat o' Nine Tails. Lovely. Long time since I used this razor; First time with this razor/blade combo. I could do this every day.

 

[jjmcke]

I'm in. Although it means I don't get to try out my blades from The Great Blade Exchange Of 2013 that I received today :-( unless of course the carbon crow feathers count.

 

[Porp]

First time using feathers, only did a 3 pass as opposed to my normal 4. Used extra light pressure. Not as close as my normal shave, but I will be more confident knowing that all the talk of shaving my face off by just looking at the blade is a bunch of hooey. I did notice that this blade is very sharp and cut with ease and no skipping at all. Good first impression!

 

[Chadao]

The Feather is my blade of choice. Partly because I like the shave, and part because, with my tremors, it is a greater challenge to get a good shave with a very sharp blade. So this morning was a great shave, as close to BBS as I have gotten. Left to right on the left side of my face is the hardest. I did not draw blood, but not as smooth as the other side. No irritation though, I passed the alum block test. Wednesday I go on the road for three days, and travel shaves are more difficult. I look forward to this week's challenge.

 

[Haggises]

Sorry, but the answer is: "No."

I tried out a Feather in my new Feather Popular razor this past weekend and the two shaves I had with it were the same as the prior two attempts to use a Feather in a different razor. I spent twice as long as normal being doubly careful and still sliced the hell out of multiple parts of my face. I'd rather just use an electric shaver and deal with the ingrown hairs. Shaving with a Feather is like playing Chicken with my skin and blood vessels, a game that I'll always lose. No thanks to a Feather blade ever again.

Oh, and to those who are tempted to claim that I'm just ignorant and don't understand proper shaving techniques, how is it that I can get a smooth, generally cut-free shave with other brands of blades?

If you are slicing your face with any blade it's technique. Feathers, Astras, Derbys, Straights, Injectors, SEs or a lump of sharpened obsidian.
Don't worry, you'll get there.