Feather Blade. More nicks and weepers second time.

[Ender78]

I used a Feather Blade in my 1904 Merkur Classic OC again this morning and I got more weepers and nicks than I did the first time around and I was being more careful. The blade was smooth going so I do not think the blade was too dull. It may simply be too sharp for me. Which is too bad because the blade mows down the hairs like they aren't even there. Mmmm. My process is, hot shower, then rub pre shave oil on face then lather soap onto face (Thick), then I shave wtg, lather up again, shave atg, lather once more and shave xtg (only on face not neck)... Is there something different I should try? Or should I just fogit feathers?

My face barely burned when I use the Alum and even less when I splashed on Captian's Choice Lime

 

[Toddster64]

I too had a learning curve with Feathers - I realized early on (three or fourth months in) with DE shaving that I wasn't ready for them. Put them away, tried again later, they were better for me (after getting technique more in line with the great equipment I was using).

I'd suggest eschewing the ATG pass initially with Feathers if you're getting burned. Also it may sound crazy, but use even LESS pressure...even if you think the blade is barely touching your face. (I trust you've mastered angle with the 1904 classic with other blades, but that could be a factor). I also achieved success by going with heavy-handled options that did all the work for me, so the lack of human pressure intervention was retained.



Todd R.

 

[ackvil]

I too had a learning curve with Feathers - I realized early on (three or fourth months in) with DE shaving that I wasn't ready for them. Put them away, tried again later, they were better for me (after getting technique more in line with the great equipment I was using).

I'd suggest eschewing the ATG pass initially with Feathers if you're getting burned. Also it may sound crazy, but use even LESS pressure...even if you think the blade is barely touching your face. (I trust you've mastered angle with the 1904 classic with other blades, but that could be a factor). I also achieved success by going with heavy-handled options that did all the work for me, so the lack of human pressure intervention was retained.



Todd R.

Good advice. I am not a fan of this blade because it dulls too fast with my beard. However, you have to be extra careful about the blade angle and no pressure. Also, you may want to try two XTG passes in opposite directions instead of the ATG pass.

 

[Chadly]

I find the feathers last fewer shaves than any other blade I've tried including 7 o'clock yellows. It is for this reason that I have abandoned them. Ymmv

 

[Cacique]

Everyone has pretty much covered it. I would skip the ATG for a while until you stop getting/get less nicks, and do XTG then GTX to get the hair down as much as possible. You wanna go really slow ATG and watch the angle like before.

I've been doing a bit of palm stropping on this feather blade, just count 10-15 seconds and I've gotten 6 smooth shaves. Just in case anyone wanted to give that a shot. Next feather I won't bother and see if it's the palm stropping lol.

 

[Chadao]

IMHO, technique is even more important with the Feather.

 

[Ender78]

Going to try the suggestions here. But first I will put the feathers away for a while. Maybe the sharks will be on hold too until I have a few more months under my belt.

 

[Cacique]

+1 to what Chadao said.

I used to cut myself just by staring at my razor with a feather, now it's starting to give me a smooth shave. I used Astras for a while before I felt my technique improved enough to go for a feather.

 

[Alpinebully]

Id vote for sticking with the feathers. You'll know you have your technique down when you stop cutting yourself.

I went straight to feathers when i started out 1 month ago and im pretty sure my experiences have been just the same as everyone else's when they started out wet / de shaving.

Less pressure and pay more attention when you touch the razor to your face. Keep going i recon, you'll get there.

Travis.

 

[fuzinboston]

Feathers worked well for me, but like others, I couldn't get them to last for any reasonable period of time. They do require extreme attention, so I wouldn't shave with Feathers after a long night out.

What other blades have you tried? I find the Personna Meds to be every bit as sharp as the Feathers, but much smoother and forgiving. YMMV.

 

[Ender78]

I have tried these blades in order of ranking

1. Gillette Super Thin Vietnamese
2. Astra SP
3. Feather
4. Astra SS
5. Red Personna

These I have tried and will not again, Dorco st300, Gillette Silver blues, Crystals <--- These made my face feel like someone raked a thousand claws down my face.

Okay I tried feathers again this morning and it was a lot better I didn't do the ATG but I did two XTGs instead and it worked. I was barely holding the razor against my face too.

I will order some Personna Med preps soon.

 

[Apex]

I used a Feather Blade in my 1904 Merkur Classic OC again this morning and I got more weepers and nicks than I did the first time around and I was being more careful. The blade was smooth going so I do not think the blade was too dull. It may simply be too sharp for me. Which is too bad because the blade mows down the hairs like they aren't even there. Mmmm. My process is, hot shower, then rub pre shave oil on face then lather soap onto face (Thick), then I shave wtg, lather up again, shave atg, lather once more and shave xtg (only on face not neck)... Is there something different I should try? Or should I just fogit feathers?

My face barely burned when I use the Alum and even less when I splashed on Captian's Choice Lime

I prep and shave pretty much just like you do. The only difference being I also use Provaso sensitive preshave cream. I never go ATG around my Adam's apple also. I put on a new Feather this morning which still give me the overall closest shaves, just let the blade do the work, sharpest blade I have tried. I go back to Feathers to reacquaint the higer standard. Still in the blade sampler stage.

 

[fuzinboston]

I have tried these blades in order of ranking

1. Gillette Super Thin Vietnamese
2. Astra SP
3. Feather
4. Astra SS
5. Red Personna

These I have tried and will not again, Dorco st300, Gillette Silver blues, Crystals <--- These made my face feel like someone raked a thousand claws down my face.

Okay I tried feathers again this morning and it was a lot better I didn't do the ATG but I did two XTGs instead and it worked. I was barely holding the razor against my face too.

I will order some Personna Med preps soon.

They can be had on Amazon in 100 box quantities, but I believe a supporting vendor sells them in a much smaller amount. If you can't find them, PM me and I'll send you a handful to test before you commit to a large purchase. I easily get 4-5 shaves per blade, and others here have posted even 7-8 shaves per blade.

 

[appersonjackrabbit]

I found that with Feathers a light touch and a good shave cream are the key. I use Cella Crema Sapone. Surprisingly, less water seems to create a thicker lather that gives the Feather "a better ride". If I use too much water the lather is thin. I sometimes use grapeseed oil as a pre-shave which also helps.

And never use a Feather if your recovering from a long night.

 

[xiletero]

Interesting post: I only get weepers with Feather and Gillette Super Thin from Thailand. Same variety of razors and soaps I always use and have NO blood ever with Gillette Russia, Astra, Usta, Shark, Lord, Bic......etc.... Is the shave closer? who knows, I just don't feel hairs sticking out either way.

 

[smudge]

Hi - you say that you lathered your soap on thick. I'm not sure whether you're referring to the consistency of your lather, or the quantity.

If you're using a thick lather, perhaps a little more hydration might help with glide, thus reducing nicks or weepers.

I don't profess to be a lather expert, but as I've progressed over the years I've found wetter lathers to be more beneficial. Thick lathers might look great, but anything that's not touching your skin is doing nothing.

 

[musicman1951]

If your beard requires the Feathers you'll be happy they are available. They last me 2-3 shaves (closer to 2) and are not cheap, so I am delighted to have other blades that are sharp enough for my beard: PolSilver SI, Med Prep/Lab, Gillette Platinum.

Feathers work well for me, but I rarely use them. GSB don't work well for me - so you try some blades and keep what works. You are the only one who knows your face.

 

[BigJ]

I can shave with Feathers, but I don’t find them especially comfortable or long-lasting. In addition, your technique must be spot-on, every second! Otherwise you pay in blood.

Many do like Feathers and that‘s just fine!! Nice to have options.

For me: GSB, Astra SP, Nacet, Personna red and Personna labs (or med preps) are all superior!