Feathers are good blades, but if I want the: "Holy crap that's a sharp blade" experience, I generally prefer Personna Med Prep or BIC Chrome Platinum because they're way above average for sharpness but seem to degrade more gracefully than most sharp blades. Blades that are more dull to begin with seem in general to degrade more predictably. They just tug more and more till you can't stand them. But really sharp blades can go from smooth to Hobart... so when I want that kind of experience I lean toward the Med Prep or the BIC or even the Gillette Platinum which is a sharper blade than most people seem to credit - and ages fairly predictably. But as with all things Blade related, YMMV.
Feather blades, love or hate?
- Thread starter OhioBob
- Start date
My favorite blades... but only after the first three or four uses. They seem harsh to me fresh out of the wrapper.
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
Feathers are my gold standard. Love them.
My 30-something son-in-law has been wetshaving for over 10 years and always uses Feathers in his 34C. I, on the other hand, am old, retired and usually shave later in the day after a few-too-many G&T's. Feathers are too sharp for me and I prefer a more forgiving blade like Gillette Platinum, Astra SP or IP Red. We both toss our blades after 2 uses.
I love Feathers
I have really sensitive skin, yet a very coarse and thick beard
Use it in my Gillette Slim on a 3.
If people are complaining about irritation, nicks etc. from feathers it is probably because they are using a razor that is too aggressive. Made that mistake myself, but if you use a feather blade the right way, then you are in for some great shaves.
I have really sensitive skin, yet a very coarse and thick beard
Use it in my Gillette Slim on a 3.
If people are complaining about irritation, nicks etc. from feathers it is probably because they are using a razor that is too aggressive. Made that mistake myself, but if you use a feather blade the right way, then you are in for some great shaves.
I don’t hate them at all. I just think for the price, I can get twice as many Nacets or GSB’s, which are both very sharp and smooth. My face and wallet are both content.
Sharp is no good without smooth. The blades I use are all at least as sharp and incredibly smooth. I'm a vintage only user, but when I was using modern blades I found Feathers awful. As I grew experienced and technique improved I would revisit them every so often. Never did like them, but don't go by me, blades are the most personal, ymmv part of our thing.
I think it depends on the razor. They're pretty good in my Fatip OC, but below average in my DE89.
I find them pretty rough after 2 shaves. I've come to the conclusion that there are much better blades available for a lot less money; I don't think I'll buy more when I run out.
I find them pretty rough after 2 shaves. I've come to the conclusion that there are much better blades available for a lot less money; I don't think I'll buy more when I run out.
Love
As others have said - very sharp, but unforgiving. With Feathers, i either get a BBS fabulous shave or lots of tiny nicks.
Its probably me not concentrating enough, but i have found that Astra SP are 95% as sharp as Feathers, but a lot more smooth, forgiving and consistant (in my wobbly hands anyway !)
I still have a stock of Feathers and tend to use them on those occasions when i have a few days growth to mow down.
Its probably me not concentrating enough, but i have found that Astra SP are 95% as sharp as Feathers, but a lot more smooth, forgiving and consistant (in my wobbly hands anyway !)
I still have a stock of Feathers and tend to use them on those occasions when i have a few days growth to mow down.
Great blades, I could use only Feather blades and be quite happy. I use (3) times and toss. The problem is that I have so many other blades I need to use up.
Well, gee, that's an unusual problem....Not!
Love. I use a fresh one every shave so I never experience a dull blade. One of the many perks of DE shaving. Cheap enough in bulk.
Feathers for me are to be respected. I did not use them for a long time as I read all about the bloodbaths that members used to mention. After using them I find that a Feather in a milder razor such as a Tech or a Merkur 34 C/G give me excellent shaves.
Yeah, they're sharp. But so are Voskhods & BiC's and others. They're overpriced for the short shave life I get from them (4-5 tops) and I don't need to show off that I'm using an über spendy blade.
Space_Cadet
I don't have a funny description.
Don't like them. Too sharp and unforgiving.
I like my blades to be very sharp and very smooth. Feather blades are very sharp, but they deteriorate quickly with my tough beard. I cannot even get through three shaves before they become very rough on my face. For that reason, I much prefer BIC Chrome Platinum, Nacet, 7 O'Clock Super Platinum Black, PermaSharp Super, and Personna Israeli Reds. Although less well known, I also prefer Dorco Prime Platinum and SuperMax Blue Diamond blades.
Feather blades, after struggling with harshness from them for over a year, have moved into my #1 blade slot. A fresh Feather in my Fatip Grande is equal to, if not slightly smoother and more comfortable, my MMOC.
My Grande and a Feather consistently gives me my absolute best DE shaves. What changed my mind on them was finding the right soaps for my skin. Something I've recently been talking about in various journal threads.
I get two shaves per blade with Feather and the second shave is half as good as the first. I just ordered 100 Perma-Sharp Super's. Bic Chrome Platimum and Gillette Black I agree are great blades. I didnt like the Blue Diamond blades as much in my Grande, but in my NEW SC I cant tell them from a Polsilver until beyond shave 5.
My Grande and a Feather consistently gives me my absolute best DE shaves. What changed my mind on them was finding the right soaps for my skin. Something I've recently been talking about in various journal threads.
I get two shaves per blade with Feather and the second shave is half as good as the first. I just ordered 100 Perma-Sharp Super's. Bic Chrome Platimum and Gillette Black I agree are great blades. I didnt like the Blue Diamond blades as much in my Grande, but in my NEW SC I cant tell them from a Polsilver until beyond shave 5.
Neither. I waited quite a while before trying them and I've never had a weeper using one - but I am also a little frightened and very careful during the shaves.
I find them quite poor in the longevity department - 2 to 3 shaves. As I can get a BBS with several other blades that are cheaper and more forgiving I rarely use Feathers.
I find them quite poor in the longevity department - 2 to 3 shaves. As I can get a BBS with several other blades that are cheaper and more forgiving I rarely use Feathers.
That describes Feather blades perfectly. I guess people with beards that aren't tough might get more than two shaves from them, but why would anyone need to use Feather blades if they did not have a tough beard. Since Feather blades are more expensive per blade than a lot of other blades that will last twice as long, they do not represent a good value. I guess if you have no concern about blade costs and use you blades "one and done", Feather blades would be great.
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