I agree with all of this, with the exception that an Astra SP is plenty sharp for my "low testosterone" beard. I can use a Feather blade without bleeding, but it requires a lot more concentration and makes the shave a bit less enjoyable. Plus, even if I don't bleed, my Proraso AS splash always stings a bit more after a shave with a Feather blade.Having used both, I'd go with the Feather (at any price).
The Pils is a really well-made razor and is pretty easy to use, but the shaves, though serviceable, are underwhelming.
Stick a Feather blade in the Feather SS and it's as good as any DE razor I've ever used. It isn't aggressive, but after a 3-pass shave, my face is smooooothh!!
If you have a low-testosterone beard you may be happy with the Feather $$. If you are blessed with a beard of steel that is suitable for coarse sanding and finishing bondo, the Pils is the answer. No matter how many passes with the Feather $$, never quite BBS. Now with the Pils? Ahh! Four passes with the good ol' Feather blade and Nirvana.
There have been some reported QC issues with the Pils regarding rust... has that been resolved?
I beg to differ. I don't think greater weight or aggressiveness is necessarily the answer to a thick beard. Proper prep and technique is way more important. Anyway, the Pils is not much more aggressive than the Feather, if at all.
If you want aggressive, go with a Fatip Muehle OC, or a Futur opened up. The Pils is pretty mild - it just has weight on its side. The Feather is almost equally aggressive, but rewards proper technique with a smooth shave - even for testosterone-laden beards.
However, different techniques will result in different results, so I'm sure the Pils works better for some people than the Feather. In my case, the Feather suited my technique better than the Pils.
I had two, and they both showed the rust formation in the interior of the head. They came in different boxes, so perhaps that means they were from different lots.
Well, this is awkward.
I won't BEG to differ, I just disagree.
Your assertion that "I don't think greater weight or aggressiveness is necessarily the answer to a thick beard." is yours and you are certainly entitled to it in the Chowder and Marching Society environment of the forums. From the standpoint of experience I find your assertion delusional.
Further while your assertion "Proper prep and technique is way more important." may or may not be true, but it has no bearing when an individual uses the same prep without regard to razor. I can assure you that showering, steaming, and prelathering do not improve the performance of the Feather $$.
Let us not be silly, your experience aside, "Anyway, the Pils is not much more aggressive than the Feather, if at all. " is just plain silly. Opinions are just like anal orifi, everyone has one and they all are suspect. This appears to be just an exercise in post count on your part. If that is the best you can offer, I provide the following for you:
Blade angle and blade exposure may not affect the shave for an understated beard, but be assured the design of the razor plays a major part in the shave's efficacy when all other items are held constant.
The Pils is significantly more aggressive, both from the standpoint of blade exposure (greater) and blade angle (straighter). Much like the Futur when cranked past the 5's "." the Pils gives the blade maximum exposure without a safety bar intervening.
Your assertion about prep has no bearing on this discussion. Please note that while you may prep differently for each razor, I do not. And I am sure after using the consistent technique that it merely proves one thing, i.e. for many years I must have been doing it wrong.
Having read the numerous posts on Pils and rust to include Poonjaji:
- First I was satisfied that both Pils and the reliable venders replaced the offending razors and
- Second that it was not rust as we think of iron being oxidized, but unlike metals being formed with the stainless.
I am not quite sure from whence your experience and opinion originate, but I must admit it flies in the face of the experience of many others and my own.
I won't BEG to differ, I just disagree.
Your assertion that "I don't think greater weight or aggressiveness is necessarily the answer to a thick beard." is yours and you are certainly entitled to it in the Chowder and Marching Society environment of the forums. From the standpoint of experience I find your assertion delusional.
The only sensible course of action is to buy both razors and try them out for yourself.