My love and hate with feather blades

[bluebird]

I fairly new to de shaving and wanted to try out the much praise feather blades. First time using it got a great shave DFS with my 69 black beauty. Three passes: wtg@5, xtg@3 and atg@1 and no touchups. Thought what a great combination and awesome blade and now wanted a black beauty birth year/quarter w-2. Second and third shave close shave but face felt like I used sandpaper on my chin and mustache area. Change the blade for a new feather, close shave but damn there sharp! cut my face up like I'm using a Hattori Hanzo blade on my face. Took a break from it and used my 40's superspeed with a feather and felt much better. This am though decided to try out my blackbeauty with a feather and damn what a nice shave! Close shave bbs on the easy parts and dfs on mustache and chin area.
Need to order blades and new soaps this week. Not sure if I should buy a larger pack of feathers or maybe try out some gillette 7'oclocks. Will also try out some MWF, DRharris, and tabac soaps since I've been only using creams. Any recommendation on blades and soap greatly appreciated. DR Harris almond scented any good?

 

[Toltepeceno]

My advice, that of someone not back to de shaving a long time, is do not worry about staying with a blade because of many using or a certain name it but because it's best for your face and razor. For me astra's are a perfect balance of sharp while not chopping up my face like feathers. Not everyone is the same, try several brands before stocking up. imho

 

[aihpcfl]

I can comment on MWF. Great soap in my opinion, but some people can't get what they want out of it. Just be aware.

On the Feather, it's always good to read other's experiences. I only use one razor and all the blades I have used so far, including Feather, have been ok. Sounds like you are one who will find the razor x blade combo matters. Maybe, if you will continue switching razors, the solution is to keep an assortment of your favorite blades, including Feather.

EDIT: Just realized you are new. It is probably too soon to make conclusions about blades. In the end your suspicions may be confirmed by experience, but you do need experience.

 

[OMEN]

I really like Feathers but I always have some Personnas ready to go. They give a great close shave but if you go really close one day, maybe go easy the next to let some hair grow back, skin recover etc. The only soaps I own are Proraso (all colours) and to be honest I prefer the creams. Maybe give Queen Charlotte soaps a look, I've been meaning to order another scent for months.

 

[Ron Scott]

There was a lot of hype on Feathers here for several months, but it's died down.

in my book they're just OK, another good but not great blade. After blowing through 20 or so I do not get the story on them being so very sharp...?

I plan to shave exclusively with Personna Meds going forward and will stop using Feathers after the existing stash is done.

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

I don't get the hype about Feathers either to be honest.

 

[aar0n]

I plan to shave exclusively with Personna Meds going forward and will stop using Feathers after the existing stash is done.

Same here, except a slight difference; I must compare the labs to meds. Assuming I don't notice a difference I will be using Personna Labs exclusively. Otherwise I too will be dedicated to Meds.

My stash of about 40 feathers will be slowly phased out.

 

[aar0n]

I don't get the hype about Feathers either to be honest.

The harshness makes it seem that they're extremely sharp. My face has no proof that Personna Meds aren't equally sharp. Although with the Meds they're so smooth they seem less sharp. (until you accidentally apply pressure!)

 

[kingfisher]

They're definitely sharper. It's not just a face feel thing. We have microscopic photos to prove it. The blade has a triple bevel.

The hype I don't understand is the Meds/Labs. Tried em three different times for multiple shaves and find them to be a middling blade, at best.

 

[bluebird]

Thanks for the responses. Yes I know my ymmv. Just my thoughts on my short relationship with feathers. The Astra sp's and red personnas are nice and are bit more forgiving will definitely give the personna meds a try. Tried the red p's on my redtip and they were pretty good. Did not dare try the feathers on the redtip. I'm actually with wifey right now shopping at Stanford shopping mall and will pass by the art of shaving store and try out some soaps. Tempted to buy a new razor but will stay with what I have for now. Straight edge would be nice?! Thanks again for the responses!