My first dance with a Feather

[Kilgore]

After 3 weeks of all the reviews, horror stories & what not I took the plunge.
Lathered up some Proraso & went to work. Amazingly, I finished with just 2 weepers. Not much different than the rest of the blades in my sampler, other than the Derby which turned my face into hamburger. I get razor burn pretty easily so not much difference there & I skipped the shaving oil I use to see how the Feather would fair with just cream. Also, it took about 3 passes to get smooth.

Oh, my razor is a Merkur 180 long handle.

 

[herbnerd]

So I went back to Indian Gillettes, Greek Bics and a few other blades.

Now I am back on the feathers and won't use anything else!

 

[mr. s]

Honestly, I think most of what I hear is reference to mythical horror stories which I have never actually read myself!
I love feathers. There are few others which can compare in sharpness!
As your technique gets better, you will get less and less burn. Keep it up!

 

[FL shaver]

You're experience was pretty much the same as mine for both the Feathers and Derbies.

 

[Kilgore]

Honestly, I think most of what I hear is reference to mythical horror stories which I have never actually read myself!
I love feathers. There are few others which can compare in sharpness!
As your technique gets better, you will get less and less burn. Keep it up!

You know, it just didn't seem as sharp as legend lead me to believe.
I like the blade for sure but I noticed as I pulled down with zero pressure, the razor head has a very slight bounce to it. Is that normal? Maybe mine is too light? Also, my beard is tough as nails.

 

[mr. s]

There is a good chance that is more a problem with lather. I have a thick beard myself. I started DE shaving in the summer, and I was really up and down with my technique for a while. I kept thinking it was my blades, but I have since learned that there are several variables to understand before really being able to understand blades. I am not sure how long you have been at it, but that certainly may shed some light.

 

[bogey97]

You know, it just didn't seem as sharp as legend lead me to believe.
I like the blade for sure but I noticed as I pulled down with zero pressure, the razor head has a very slight bounce to it. Is that normal? Maybe mine is too light? Also, my beard is tough as nails.

I have a heavy beard, but I usually only get bouncing when I haven't done a good prep. Also, are you shaving ATG or XTG? If so, you might try doing a WTG pass first to reduce some of the bulk and then going ATG.

 

[Obi Wan]

The first time I used a feather I used it in a Weishi (mildest razor in my collection) I didn't want to take any risks, it was the smoothest shave I ever had, I was smiling like a cheshire cat afterwards. It really is a pity I can only get 3 good shaves out of a feather blade, so I don't use them daily. But they are my number one choice to remove more then a days growth.

I concur about the Derby's. The shave itself is nothing special but the irriation afterwards is in a different league. This is the blade that proved to me YMMV.

 

[Kilgore]

I have a heavy beard, but I usually only get bouncing when I haven't done a good prep. Also, are you shaving ATG or XTG? If so, you might try doing a WTG pass first to reduce some of the bulk and then going ATG.

I start WTG then ATG followed by XTG on my neck & jaw line because it grows in multiple directions. I do wonder about my prep, though.

 

[Optometrist]

The number one blade for me. It never fails.

David

 

[Kilgore]

I just read over Kyle's Prep & I'm gonna give that a shot.

 

[bill8067]

I like a Feather in my 37C slant. I just wish it wasn't one of the more expensive blades.

 

[salisburyyates]

Feathers are the only blade I can trust to deliver a consistently good shave with the least effort. Sharp and smooth.

 

[Kilgore]

I really think the Feather was the best of the bunch, though I've yet to try the Blue birds. Definitely I think my prep needs work.

 

[Crawford Montizano]

Yes a dance with a feather!
I hope her name was not Heather.
Wait to you try,
One steal piece that's not shy.
And strop it on a fine piece of leather.

 

[ulu]

Yes a dance with a feather!
I hope her name was not Heather.
Wait to you try,
One steal piece that's not shy.
And strop it on a fine piece of leather.

I'm really beginning to look forward to finding these hidden among the posts I see a Haiku in the midst.

 

[Kilgore]

Yes a dance with a feather!
I hope her name was not Heather.
Wait to you try,
One steal piece that's not shy.
And strop it on a fine piece of leather.

Haw! Got me a poem by Crawford! It's been ok so far, just a little harsh. Today I realized I hadn't opened up the Blue Birds so I tried one & meh… it was ok, not as sharp but less harsh. Gotta find that happy medium.

 

[JohnnySideStreet]

feathers and the red israeli personna blades in a slant are my favorite...personna blades i find to be almost as sharp, but a lot more forgiving, and a fraction of the price of feathers, give em a try.

 

[Kilgore]

feathers and the red israeli personna blades in a slant are my favorite...personna blades i find to be almost as sharp, but a lot more forgiving, and a fraction of the price of feathers, give em a try.

I've heard good things about the Reds. Next on the list!