I have an appreciation for the extremely sharp, so much so that people constantly ask me to sharpen their knives for them because it will shave after I'm finished. So far in my quest to master DE shaving I've used a Merkur Super and a Derby and I can't say that I am a huge fan of either. So I question the masses: Should I, a DE n00blet with less than a week of practice, be leery of throwing a Feather on my Merkur?
Feathers
- Thread starter teh tardnoggle
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No, I say go for it. The worst that could happen is you cut yourself. It's up to you to not repeat the mistake however.
It all depends. How are your DE shaves with the other blades? Are you getting nicks or irritation? If you have not mastered your technique then it would not be a good idea. On the other hand, if you are having no problems and are happy with your shaves, go for it.
Pete
Pete
I would say go for Feather as soon as possible, except if you like the cheese grater feeling when you shave.
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- #5
Right now I'm pretty razor burned but I've felt some dragging with the Derby and the Merkur. I'm going to give my face a few days to heal up before I have at it again. Having to slow down and unlearn everything that I thought I knew about shaving.
Just try one 
Feather is the only blade I use. Can you cut yourself? OF COURSE!!!! I got a bit aggressive today and gave myself a nice little nick. BUT I would had done that with any other blade.
People say Feathers are not good because they are so sharp - THAT'S WHAT I WANT! Who wants a dull blade? DUHHHHH it's a RAZOR blade, it's supposed to be sharp!
In my kitchen knives I keep them sharp and I cut myself less. I go to my mother in law's house and she has dull knives - it scares the C&%$ out of me to use them. When I think of it I bring my own kinves to her house if I know I will be cutting something. I WANT sharp - I do not want dull anything.....
People say Feathers are not good because they are so sharp - THAT'S WHAT I WANT! Who wants a dull blade? DUHHHHH it's a RAZOR blade, it's supposed to be sharp!
In my kitchen knives I keep them sharp and I cut myself less. I go to my mother in law's house and she has dull knives - it scares the C&%$ out of me to use them. When I think of it I bring my own kinves to her house if I know I will be cutting something. I WANT sharp - I do not want dull anything.....
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- #8
People bring me their knives to sharpen because I guarantee they will be able to shave with it when I'm done.
You and I will get along just fine.just try one
+1
I wondered the same thing, once. I haven't really tried enough blades to be sure what works best for me, but I know that in shaving as in life, sharper does not mean more dangerous when used properly.
Sure a sharper knife could cut through flesh QUICKER and SMOOTHER. However, a sharper knife also cuts a steak quicker and cleaner, causing less of that dangerous pulling and sawing action that causes accidents in the first place. When you start fighting a knife, that's when the injuries happen. As long as you're not fighting it, why complain about sharpness?
That said, maybe I won't love the sharpEST blades for another reason. I've only tried a couple of feathers and some Wal-Mart personnas, I don't really know what makes a good blade, but I know dull isn't part of the equation.
Sure a sharper knife could cut through flesh QUICKER and SMOOTHER. However, a sharper knife also cuts a steak quicker and cleaner, causing less of that dangerous pulling and sawing action that causes accidents in the first place. When you start fighting a knife, that's when the injuries happen. As long as you're not fighting it, why complain about sharpness?
That said, maybe I won't love the sharpEST blades for another reason. I've only tried a couple of feathers and some Wal-Mart personnas, I don't really know what makes a good blade, but I know dull isn't part of the equation.
I'm a fellow newbee, I had my first three shaves with a Feather. I almost gave up on DE beacuse of all the nicks and razorburn. The sharpness makes them very unforgiving for your technique and they "bite" hard.
With my finegrained beard, a Merkur blade gives me 6-7 excellent shaves, but the Feathers edge was totally trashed after only three shaves, I was very greatful for that
After my experience with Feather, I would only recommend them to an experienced DE'er with excellent technique and a beard so coarse that nothing else will cut it.
Have you tried corking your Derbys? I'm going to try this next.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20396&highlight=corking
With my finegrained beard, a Merkur blade gives me 6-7 excellent shaves, but the Feathers edge was totally trashed after only three shaves, I was very greatful for that
After my experience with Feather, I would only recommend them to an experienced DE'er with excellent technique and a beard so coarse that nothing else will cut it.
Have you tried corking your Derbys? I'm going to try this next.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20396&highlight=corking
Go for it, the sight of blood helps reinforce good technique! All kidding aside, there's no reason not to try it. As long as you pay attention to what you're doing, you should be fine.
reasonably noobish noob speaking,
I just switched to Feather from Derby using my 23C. I did have a closer and easier shave, though it wasn't a night and day difference. There was slightly more irritation, but nothing I don't think I can overcome with more practice. Definitely worth giving the Feather a try, and no reason to approach with any apprehension.
I just switched to Feather from Derby using my 23C. I did have a closer and easier shave, though it wasn't a night and day difference. There was slightly more irritation, but nothing I don't think I can overcome with more practice. Definitely worth giving the Feather a try, and no reason to approach with any apprehension.
The Feathers may be sharp, but that's what I want in a blade. I found that the Feathers gave me an incredible shave. Go for it. You can always go back to the other blades. Right now I am using Derby's because they give the second closest shave for me behind the Feathers and the difference wasn't too significant. I had a great buy for the Derby's, too. I think I will get some Feathers when I start to get close to the end of my Derby's.
Just remember that a lot of us love the Feathers, but there are still a lot who don't like them. YMMV.
Don't be afraid of them. I held off for a long time before trying the Feathers in my sample pack and wish I tried them earlier. Should have skipped the Dorcos at the time, those shredded my face.
Just remember that a lot of us love the Feathers, but there are still a lot who don't like them. YMMV.
Don't be afraid of them. I held off for a long time before trying the Feathers in my sample pack and wish I tried them earlier. Should have skipped the Dorcos at the time, those shredded my face.
I started of on a pack of feathers. No problem. Or.. That is.. A few nicks and cuts before I got the hang of the technique.
I just got myself a sampler pack from WCS to try some different blades.
So far I have tried the persona red ones, And I think I actually like them better than the feathes, they just feel better on my skin.
Wish I had gone for the sampler pack right away.
But, you know ..YMCA
I just got myself a sampler pack from WCS to try some different blades.
So far I have tried the persona red ones, And I think I actually like them better than the feathes, they just feel better on my skin.
Wish I had gone for the sampler pack right away.
But, you know ..YMCA
I too was very hesitant based off of advise and reading this forum. However, I ran out of blades besides the 20 pack of Feathers sitting in cupboard and the Crystals I ordered were still in the mail. So I busted out the Feathers and they were FABULOUS. Go for it. The only thing that happened was easy cutting of beard (no tugs or pulls) and BBS. Let the razor and blades do the work and you will be fine.
Hmm.
The issue with feathers is not really one of cutting yourself. Of course, that is possible.
What you should be concerned about is generally removing more skin tissue than needed to cut hair. A feather will remove a lot of skin even when you are careful.
Use them. Go for it. Use an easy touch for each pass - use even less pressure than you think is required.
I would not use an alcohol splash after or you'll be screaming like a 7 year old girl. But something aloe will be perfect.
The issue with feathers is not really one of cutting yourself. Of course, that is possible.
What you should be concerned about is generally removing more skin tissue than needed to cut hair. A feather will remove a lot of skin even when you are careful.
Use them. Go for it. Use an easy touch for each pass - use even less pressure than you think is required.
I would not use an alcohol splash after or you'll be screaming like a 7 year old girl. But something aloe will be perfect.
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Yes, it's sharp but it is still just another razor blade. Try it out and see if it's for you.
I am also new at the DE shaving(about a month now) and the last week I have been using Feathers and really like them and see why everyone talks so highly of them.
For me though, I found that I liked the Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum Blades(black packaging) better, but I would still give the Feathers a chance if I were you.
For me though, I found that I liked the Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum Blades(black packaging) better, but I would still give the Feathers a chance if I were you.
Feathers were the second brand I ever tried behind Merkurs. I liked the Feathers a lot better but look at what I was using
. My advise is really watch your blade angle. You have have your technique down to not cut yourself. Of course that is the same as any blade. Any blade will cut you if you do it wrong. Feathers just prove it faster!
. My advise is really watch your blade angle. You have have your technique down to not cut yourself. Of course that is the same as any blade. Any blade will cut you if you do it wrong. Feathers just prove it faster!Similar threads
