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Feathers and.......... Astras?
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Feathers and Astras are the two blades I use. For me, Astra SPs are the 'everyday blade'; cheap, fairly consistent, and good for rushed or distracted shaves. I rarely get even a small weeper with Astras. As has been said, Astras are forgiving, and if you're shaving at 3AM like I am, you need that.
Feathers, on the other hand, I reserve for the weekend, when I have plenty of time to luxuriate, be careful, and try to get the best shave possible.
Feathers, on the other hand, I reserve for the weekend, when I have plenty of time to luxuriate, be careful, and try to get the best shave possible.
I could live with either. I settled on Feather but did have really good results with Astra. I only tried them for a few weeks though. Down the road I may obtain more of them
i like them both different shaves but both work 4 me.
I use only feathers is my EJ89, Merkur 23 and both techs. I think I like them best in the EJ89
Feathers are the sharpest, but much more expensive and many claim they don't last as long. People buy Astras, including myself, because they are sharper than the average blades but are very cost effective to buy by the 100. Astras are also easy to come by from many sources.
I used Astras until I discovered the Rapira brand, which to me seem to be considerably sharper than Astra or most anything other than Feathers. In addition to the being sharper, the Rapiras are much smoother than Astras or anything else I have used. YMMV.
DD
I used Astras until I discovered the Rapira brand, which to me seem to be considerably sharper than Astra or most anything other than Feathers. In addition to the being sharper, the Rapiras are much smoother than Astras or anything else I have used. YMMV.
DD
It all comes down to trial and error. I've been shaving w/ DEs for over four years and always get ingrown hairs from every shave. I tried just about every blade w/ my HD but found that feathers irritated the least. A few weeks ago, based on the recommendation of other members, I picked up a slant to solve the ingrown hair dilemma. I popped in a feather and went to town on my face. Unfortunately, I still found myself with ingrowns (a lot fewer, however). And then, based another user's feedback, I tried Astras. Well, I found the winning combination. After my very first shave, I wound up with a smooth shave and NO INGROWNS (and I only shave WTG and XTG). It's been two weeks of the Astra/Slant marriage and I am pretty pleased. So, I guess not all skin types are created equal and will require a little experimentation before finding the winning formula.
Sure there are not in the same league... Feathers are far too expensive !
Didn't try yet Feathers, but I like smoothness of Astras SP shave. Also I have tough beard, I get rarely more than 3 shaves out of a blade. No reason to run after Feather just because are the "sharpest". Again YMMV
Didn't try yet Feathers, but I like smoothness of Astras SP shave. Also I have tough beard, I get rarely more than 3 shaves out of a blade. No reason to run after Feather just because are the "sharpest". Again YMMV
Just be thankful you no longer pay $2+ per cart.
I have at least twenty different blades, and have stocked up on a half dozen: Iridium, Astra SP, Feather, Med Prep Personna, Derby and Gillette Sharp Edge. Of those, I reach for the Iridium and Astra blades more often than the others. I have enough blades for a couple of decades, so price doesn't enter into my choice. I find the Astra to give me a BBS shave with no drama. The Feathers are rougher, and don't get along well with a few of my open comb razors. If I had to buy more, I would definitely order the Astras before the Feathers.
Mike
Mike
I only shave with the same blade 1-3 times depending on brand. If I'm going shave with a blade only once and throw it away then the winner is Feather. If you can afford 27 cents at best per 1 shave with Feather, go for it, IMO its as good as it gets. However on shave #2 and beyond, I think my favorite blades, the Indian Gillette Black is a lot smoother(its also pricier((even in India)). Using the same blade on shave #2, I rather shave with Astra, Shark, Supermax, Rapira, or even a Derby rather than risk weepers with Feather.
Apart from the 3AM shaves - I do exactly the same as you. They are the 2 types of blade I have bought cartons of. I have to give Feathers a bit more respect or my face pays the price, that's why they tend to be used on the weekend.
I envy those that use the Astra SP as their go-to blade. Any blade at that price point that satisfies the user is a home run.
For me Feather vs. Astra SP is NOT EVEN CLOSE. The Feather gives me a far superior shave in every respect. I have tried almost all of the blades that are often perceived as "Feather Sharp" or "Almost Feather Sharp". The Astra SP does not approach that class for me.
For me Feather vs. Astra SP is NOT EVEN CLOSE. The Feather gives me a far superior shave in every respect. I have tried almost all of the blades that are often perceived as "Feather Sharp" or "Almost Feather Sharp". The Astra SP does not approach that class for me.
IMHO, Astras are a tier above Feather. Feathers are sharper, and I keep them around because I can get a closer shave with them than my Astras, but sharpness/closeness is not the only criteria I measure blades with. Feathers always give me more alum/AS burn than Astras, without exception. Astras provide a great DFS shave with minimal effort and absolutely no irritation or Alum/AS burn every single time.
+1
For me Feathers are great blades but they only last a few shave and are unforgiving.
Astras are almost as sharp and I rarely make "bloody" errors with them.
And they are cheap!
Considering you can get at least 3 Astra for the price of one Feather- and considering Astra are very good for my face and give me a very irritation free shave- unlike feathers, I will go with the Astra every time.
+1
Just bought a carton of Astra SPs, looking forward to their arrival early next week!
Just bought a carton of Astra SPs, looking forward to their arrival early next week!
Astra SP always gave me a smooth, clean, BBS shave. Absolutely no irritation, no weepers, and no nicks even after going ATG on multiple passes. My skin is completely clear with them. Feather gave a good shave, too.
I think each blade requires a certain angle and pressure to work properly. Astra is very forgiving. Feather needs a little more care, but both are great blades once you work it out.
I think each blade requires a certain angle and pressure to work properly. Astra is very forgiving. Feather needs a little more care, but both are great blades once you work it out.
I use them both and lately have thrown Med Preps into the mix. The Astras get the job done very well in a quiet, comfortable, unassuming way; the Clark Kent of razor blades. When I put a Feather in my razor, it jumps off the tallest building in Metropolis, swoops down and shouts: "Ready or not, here I come!" and I know I have to be very very careful. Sometimes I enjoy that challenge because I know that, with proper care, I'll get the best shave possible. Other times, I prefer to hang with Clark.
I think Astras are the Clark Kent of razor blades; they get the job done in a humble, efficient and unassuming way. When I load a Feather into my razor, it jumps off the tallest building in Metropolis, swoops down and shouts "Ready or not, here I come!" - and I know that, with proper care, I am going to get the best shave possible. You can't beat a BBS shave, but sometimes, I prefer to hang out with Clark..
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