How I stop worrying about the skin and learned to love the Feather

[Haggises]

6 months ago, armed with naught but trepidation, I tried a Feather in a Superspeed. I quickly decided that Feathers were not for me as they were too harsh on my skin. I silently mocked those who said it was technique. After all, while everyone says they have sensitive skin, they don't have my sensitive skin.

3 months ago, I tried a Feather in a Blue Tip. Got a wonderful shave. Bit of irritation but not too much. Tried it in a Tech. Still didn't like the Tech. Decided that Feathers might be OK in a mild razor. After all, my skin is still sensitive.

Yesterday, I tried a Feather in a Slim, set on 5. Got a wonderful shave. Zero irritation 3 pass DFS.

I only have 3 possible options.
a) Feather QC is horrible. the First feather blade was duff, the second less duff, the third perfect
b) My Oh So Sensitive Skin got used to shaving.
c) and I'm stretching here......my technique got better. From face mapping to angle to pressure to not going over areas multiple times.

C is obviously a long shot, so I'd be willing to entertain other suggestions.

 

[craig94yj]

I noticed you didn't mention anything about soap or cream choice?? Shave prep or not?? Not enough information yet to draw a conclusion, but "C" is looking like he is unchallenged coming down the back stretch.

 

[Haggises]

I never do much in the way of prep. Soaps mainly vary from Arko to MW to Razorock - no idea what lather I used for the first blade but pretty sure I switched to face lathering some time after.
I was getting good shaves with other blades at the time....

 

[Teddyboy]

It sounds like a combination of [C] and finding the correct razor. I like Feathers, but I do not love them b/c in certain razors they are quite harsh.

PS What does "duff" mean? Is that slang for 'tough'?

 

[Haggises]

Duff is proper Queen's English for bad.

 

[Haggises]

It sounds like a combination of [C] and finding the correct razor. I like Feathers, but I do not love them b/c in certain razors they are quite harsh.

PS What does "duff" mean? Is that slang for 'tough'?

Well, I'll try an experiment this week. I'll use the same blade in the Blue Tip and the superspeed I used. I can maybe find it in the What did you use today thread....

 

[Disburden]

For some reason whenever i use a harsh blade that usually hurts, such as merkur or feather the results change when i use cream over soap.

Ive been using old proraso cream with two minutes of rest on my face and now get bbs from merkur blades...i HATED merkur blades before.

Food for thought.

 

[Haggises]

Tonights shave will be 40s SS. Last described as "Meh"

 

[Toothpick]

6 months ago, armed with naught but trepidation, I tried a Feather in a Superspeed. I quickly decided that Feathers were not for me as they were too harsh on my skin. I silently mocked those who said it was technique. After all, while everyone says they have sensitive skin, they don't have my sensitive skin.

3 months ago, I tried a Feather in a Blue Tip. Got a wonderful shave. Bit of irritation but not too much. Tried it in a Tech. Still didn't like the Tech. Decided that Feathers might be OK in a mild razor. After all, my skin is still sensitive.

Yesterday, I tried a Feather in a Slim, set on 5. Got a wonderful shave. Zero irritation 3 pass DFS.

I only have 3 possible options.
a) Feather QC is horrible. the First feather blade was duff, the second less duff, the third perfect
b) My Oh So Sensitive Skin got used to shaving.
c) and I'm stretching here......my technique got better. From face mapping to angle to pressure to not going over areas multiple times.

C is obviously a long shot, so I'd be willing to entertain other suggestions.

how much growth did you have when you tried the feather in the slim? i happen to have a slim thanks to a gracious fellow member and a feather blade.

 

[Haggises]

2 days growth.
Not one tug was felt.

 

[Toothpick]

2 days growth.
Not one tug was felt.

great! so perhaps that combo works best on a two day growth.

 

[Haggises]

I think you're taking me a little too literally in the first post.
It ain't the razor and it ain't the blade and it ain't the skin or soap or prep.

The answer is I got better at shaving.

 

[britewhiteram]

I think you're taking me a little too literally in the first post.
It ain't the razor and it ain't the blade and it ain't the skin or soap or prep.

The answer is I got better at shaving.

This^^^

My experience with the feather was very similar, however it was mostly due to my greed with my adjustable, Feather and a fatboy on #9 is a really bad idea, however crank it back to #3 or#4 and VOILA bobs your uncle and you get a good shave, that and my technique has improved, or at least thats the guess I'm willing to venture here...

 

[onefallinghope]

I've been trying feathers off and on over the past two years with several different razors and soaps and creams and they just don't agree with me no matter what I try.

 

[Haggises]

40s SS with Feather (2) and Arko.
Rushed a little so Arko after 2nd pass was not optimal.
Still - zero irritation DFS.

 

[britewhiteram]

Arko and Feathers are a fine combination, can't say about the SS, mines a blue-tip and it seems to do quite well even for how mild it is, seems that feathers work well in a mild razor

 

[Useless shaver]

For me EJ DE89 and Feather work very well.

SS 48-50 and Feather = irritation...

Classic YMMV issue.