Feather AS-D2 worth having?
- Thread starter Dimitri
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AS-D2 is unlikely to give you a one pass shave that feels complete. I find that at a minimum, even with a lot of care, I need 2 passes. Nowadays I do 3 WTG passes.
I think the coating is satin chrome. Unfortunately, the coating can get damaged. Not 100% sure how it happened to mine but I think it was when I sent it back to Feather to get the head checked since I was having trouble with using it correctly initially.
AS-D2 is not a good razor for someone new to wet shaving. It is likely to be a frustrating experience as it takes a lot of patience even for an experienced shaver to find the correct angle.
Great razor, for me, one of my 3 all time favorites.
Worth it? To me, yes. I have a Tech and the ASD2 is similar but I enjoy the ASD2 more and like the SS and craftsmanship.
No on the newbie question. Answering the question in a vacuum with no other info about the new shaver I would say an adjustable like the Progress would be the best bet. Depending on beard type, established preferences, etc., the Henson may be better or the Tech or the 34HD or ......
I only got the AS-D2 because I had an amazon gift card that significantly lowered the price of indulging my curiosity. That was probably 8 years ago.
My experience with the AS-D2 is that it's so incredibly mild and smooth that when you try to "make" it more aggressive, it will cut you. You won't even feel it, but you'll end up with lots of little nicks. This is because, while it it has a negative blade angle, it's a pretty significant gap-- so it's very sensitive to pressure.
The AS-D2 is so superbly made and so smooth that you think it's an easy button. But ironically, it's actually VERY demanding of technique-- one user might swear there's no blade in it and another user might get nicked like crazy.. I think it's this disconnect that many people find off-putting.
I say this as a seasoned R41 V1 user, one used to a razor not known for its forgiveness. If you can master the technique, the AS-D2 is a superbly smooth and useful razor capable of incredibly smooth shaves. (Albeit with many passes).
My experience with the AS-D2 is that it's so incredibly mild and smooth that when you try to "make" it more aggressive, it will cut you. You won't even feel it, but you'll end up with lots of little nicks. This is because, while it it has a negative blade angle, it's a pretty significant gap-- so it's very sensitive to pressure.
The AS-D2 is so superbly made and so smooth that you think it's an easy button. But ironically, it's actually VERY demanding of technique-- one user might swear there's no blade in it and another user might get nicked like crazy.. I think it's this disconnect that many people find off-putting.
I say this as a seasoned R41 V1 user, one used to a razor not known for its forgiveness. If you can master the technique, the AS-D2 is a superbly smooth and useful razor capable of incredibly smooth shaves. (Albeit with many passes).
For me it is the best shaving razor available; and I say that having retained over 100 razors and sold about as many. It shaves similar to a Gillette English Flare Tip Rocket — albeit smoother against the grain — than any Tech. It is mostly hand-made, or more accurately hand finished, despite the injection moulding; is plated in hard-chrome not decorative chrome, and is beautifully balanced. It is an exquisite tool an absolute tour-de-force from a nation imbued with innate manual dexterity, who mastered the forging, hammering and bending of steel, probably before any one else. The challenge with the ASD2 is that it takes time to really master and connect with; this requires monogamy, in my case over months, rather than putting it into rotation. Bluntly put, the ASD2 requires a level of skill to use effectively, that some do not have the time or patience to learn. Being referred to as a mild razor does not mean that it can't provide a fantastic, close shave - it can and does. The ASD2 and the sublime WSD2 will not suit if you want a razor to work straight out of the box.
What makes the WSD2 sublime? If you own one I would be interested in your comparison with ASD2.
Well if it basically a TECH, buy a $20.00 TECH, why spend 150 bucks plus.
Whilst the balance on the ASD2 is superb, in that the weight of the razor feels lighter in the hand than it actually is and supremely balanced between the handle and the head, the WSD2 is a little lighter with a longer handle which is 'pinched' or 'waisted' in the middle of the handle. I am a head and face shaver, and whilst I ordinarily have a preference for shorter handles, counterintuitively, the longer handle coupled with the slightly lighter weight, makes the WSD2 feel more agile.
I think you might be the only WS-D2 owner on here. I was strongly considering it last year around Thanksgiving because it was on sale. How much did you get yours for? If I buy one and like it, I would sell the AS-D2.
I paid sticker price for it several years ago. The ASD2 I secured on a BST forum. I do not know where you reside, but there are several retailer's in the UK, but may be worth posting a WTB first. They are both excellent razors, but if you enjoy the ASD2 and funds permit, the WSD2 is worth snagging; consider holding onto the ASD2, at least for a while, so you can do a direct comparison, you may end up wanting to keep both
UK retailers do not ship Feather products to the US.I paid sticker price for it several years ago. The ASD2 I secured on a BST forum. I do not know where you reside, but there are several retailer's in the UK, but may be worth posting a WTB first. They are both excellent razors, but if you enjoy the ASD2 and funds permit, the WSD2 is worth snagging; consider holding onto the ASD2, at least for a while, so you can do a direct comparison, you may end up wanting to keep both
The best price I saw was around Thanksgiving last year at Jatai. It was $350-$400, IIRC. I will wait until Black Friday this year and see what I can find.
- Thread starter
- #32
I've been eyeballing them on eBay. There are some sellers in Japan selling them for $150-$200 shipped. This Guy has nearly 1300 reviews with 98+% positive feedback. His listing also has the eBay money back guarantee.UK retailers do not ship Feather products to the US.
The best price I saw was around Thanksgiving last year at Jatai. It was $350-$400, IIRC. I will wait until Black Friday this year and see what I can find.
The price I mentioned ($350-400) was for the WS-D2S (wood handle) -- regular price is around $600.
The listing you have is for the AS-D2S (steel handle with stand) -- regular price is $320.
There's also AS-D2 (steel handle, no stand) where regular price is around $220.
Of course it's easy to find good deals on all of them (no experience with this vendor at all).
The deal at Jatai during Thanksgiving was better than the ones in the Men's Room link, I think amounting to 40% off.
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I got mine on amazon. I think they’re $168 shipped. Sometimes the price will drop briefly, but not often. That’s the one without the stand.
The signature brands seller on amazon is the ez-care seller on eBay (going by the shipping address). About the same price on eBay.
- Thread starter
- #35
I will have to remember that. That's quite the discount. I recently purchased an Artist Club DX from them after a purchase from a Japanese seller fell through because the razor was "lost" in pre-shipment. I got it on sale for 20% off. Despite the negative comments, I'm still intrigued by this razor. And, Jatai is local to me!
Well, I just did a single pass on 3rd day growth, and got a dfs only WTG. Go figure. Tabac has some nice glide, only my 2nd shave with it and I’m loving it.
That's phenomenal. I need a minimum of 2 to get DFS. I can get CCS with one pass.
The ASD2 is a great razor and ranks right up there with my Injector for easy-peasy comfortable shaves ... maybe even higher! However, it can be hard for me to get through the day if I just went with a single pass.
Plus it would be a waste of all that lather!
I put a vintage Gillette Tech head on a stainless steel handle I already had. That combination works great and shaves very similarly to the Feather AS-D2. Total cost: $7.50. Why pay more?
The closest Gillette Tech to the AS-D2 is the first generation with oval slots. They were made in the late 1940s and have no date code stamped on them. A slightly more aggressive (and favorite) Tech is the pre-war Canadian model.
The closest Gillette Tech to the AS-D2 is the first generation with oval slots. They were made in the late 1940s and have no date code stamped on them. A slightly more aggressive (and favorite) Tech is the pre-war Canadian model.
