Fear of Feather?

[Grimakis]

When I first ordered Feather blades, I was almost scared to use them. That was over a year ago. Everyone was speaking of how much respect, technique, skill, and experience that was needed to use them. I see many other topics where people are afraid of them as well.

Looking back, I feel stupid. They are a regular razor blade, albeit a tad sharper. But given how sharp razor blades are to begin with, that slight difference doesn't equate to shaving with a katana.

Am I crazy?

 

[VerbaVolant]

I only fear the dull.

Am I crazy?

 

[The Dean]

I only fear the dull.

Am I crazy?

You and me, both. How can sharp be bad? Trouble comes from "not sharp" IMO.

I admit, due to all the talk, I was very cautious with my first Feather shave. But it became pretty clear it was just a nice sharp blade. After that I just shaved as usual with it.

 

[DirtDiver]

Im with the dean on this one, all the way. The hype is way scarier than the actual blade... Once I got some technique and actually started using them, I quite enjoy the shave they give.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

You're not crazy. I also heard the legends surrounding Feathers but was not afraid. By my second week I had my 2nd razor, a Futur, loaded with a Feather. It was a great shave and I've never set those items aside. I'm all for the jump in approach as long as common sense and caution are used.

 

[BigNickel]

I tried my first Feather today, and was both pleasantly surprised, and relieved at the same time!

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/351400-First-shave-with-a-Feather-DE-blade

 

[rotto66]

I agree, I never understood all the hype about Feather Blades. Sharper is better when it comes to blades. It's like in your kitchen, its the dull knives that are more dangerous.

 

[bryan1980]

I was pleasantly surprised with my first Feather shave. I used one in my ball-end Tech and got a close shave, albeit with a couple of weepers. Not too bad at all. However, I can get the same shave with no weepers using a Polsilver SI, so the Feathers have sat unused ever since.

 

[EloquentRune]

I get less nicks with a nice sharp feather blade than i do anything else. I'm still working on technique, but I have to agree sharper is better.

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I used it for my third shave after using an electric for about the past 30 years. I looked at it like a normal knife. The only dangerous knife is a dull knife.

 

[Mick]

Hey, It's just a razor blade......

 

[Z blade]

I don't understand is how people can use any blade other than Feathers. My only good shave other than a Feather is a Wilkinson, and no other blades are worth buying or using in my case.

I think the sharpest blade is safer to use on skin that is very sensitive.

 

[wrinkles2]

Your Not Crazy, I was that way too.

 

[Chadao]

One of the first things I saw was "Do not fear the Feather, but respect it." That scared me. I have Essential Tremors, and was cutting myself regularly with a Derby. It took about a year and a half of technique developing before I got pretty regularly, good shaves with the Derby and my EJ87. I finally decided the time was right to use a Feather. Well, the first shave I didn't bleed much, got a close shave, but also removed a bunch of wanted face dermis. From there I continued a love-hate relationship with the Feather until earlier this year after an unhappy dalliance with Personna Lab Blues (I think I got some bad blades in that 100 box.), I returned to the Feather and found my technique finally developed to the point where I neither cut myself nor created razor burn unless I downright didn't pay attention. Today the Feather is my go-to blade, backed up by the Astra SP. I am currently flirting with five-packs of Polsilvers and Crystals, but, so far, I am still faithful to the Feather, in my fashion.

 

[Heron]

They are a regular razor blade, albeit a tad sharper.

Exactly. That's the best description of a Feather I've ever read.

 

[Cholli]

Respect yes, but no fear!

 

[keithmax]

All blades should be respected, even a Dorco can cut you.

 

[takeshi]

Am I crazy?

Not at all. The whole deal with Feathers is overplayed IMO. Take a look and you'll find plenty of similar threads. Here are a few:
https://www.google.com/search?q=fea...s=chrome.0.57.7274j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I only fear the dull.

Yup. Same goes for knives. It's the dull ones that are trouble.

How can sharper be bad?

It isn't good or bad universally (the 2 words are always subjective matters anyway) and in and of itself. There are certainly other factors to consider with blade selection which is why Feathers are not everyone's preferred blade.

I don't understand is how people can use any blade other than Feathers.

Like anything else here, blades are YMMV. Everyone isn't using the same DE. Everyone doesn't have the same beard or skin, Everyone isn't using the same soap or cream. One person's preference does not equal everyone's preference.

 

[maxman]

It seems to be one of those situations where the "Feather is too sharp for a newbie" thing is more myth than reality.
I'm not sure why it's so ingrained in this culture but really it's not true.
You can hurt yourself with any razor/blade combo.

 

[technoboy]

Haven't tried Feathers yet, like you, I am a little apprehensive about it.