That's exactly my experience with other razors, but reaching the same conclusions that you have.Good afternoon gentlemen,
This is to share our experiences with what are considered to be the two sharpest blades out there, namely Feather Hi Stainless and Bic Chrome Platinum.
I've used both blades, mostly in mild razors (Gillette Tech, KGC, Slim Adj. on milder settings <6).
These are my findings:
On the first shave, Feathers are amazingly sharp. No other blade has given me this "wow" effect. I believe their reputation is largely due to this very high sharpness during the first shave. Put a fresh blade in a relatively mild razor and you can hardly feel you are shaving. Just amazing.
In comparison, the first shave with a Bic CP is good, but not exceptional. The blade feels sharp and reasonably smooth, not unlike any other good quality blade.
On the second shave, however, the things change. Feathers still feel quite sharp and crisp, but the "wow" effect isn't quite there anymore. I get a nice clean shave, with what feels as a good sharp blade. It is similar to what I get with the Bic on the first shave. In comparison, the Bic CP on the second shave is almost scary sharp, definitely sharper than Feather at this point. Not the smoothest perhaps, but in a mild razor, it is a pleasure to use.
On the third shave, Feathers start to feel a bit dull to me. Still no tugging, but the initial sharpness is long gone by now. Bic CP, in contrast, is still very sharp and reasonably smooth. No problem.
On the fourth shave. Well I only tried Feather once for a fourth shave. Not a good experience. The blade is plain dull, like Derby or SuperMax dull. To me Fathers are good for maximum of three shaves, that's it. With the Bics I could get a pretty OK fourth shave. The blade still feels sharp, but somewhat rougher than before. If I only go for two-pass (WTG XTG) shave there is absolutely no problem. An ATG pass may give me some mild irritation.
So, these are my thoughts. Given the price difference between these blades, I see no point of buying Feathers anymore. At 4-5 times the price, they give me two perfect shaves (three with some compromises), while Bic CPs give me at least three perfect ones.
The battle of the sharpest: Feather vs Bic Chrome Platinum.
- Thread starter NiOOH
- Start date
That's exactly my experience with other razors, but reaching the same conclusions that you have.
Same experience here. I expected the über-spendy Feathers to not only be sharp, but to have better longevity. 3 Shaves max and aready getting a little tuggy, they were a big disappointment. The BiC Platinums are more reasonably priced and, for me at least, have a longer useful smooth shave life.
Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I was wondering. I see a lot of arguments in favor of the Bic put the financial aspect forward.
Where I live, 100 Bic blades are roughly the same price as 100 Feathers.
Would you still consider it's a tight game?
A lot of people mentioned the Bic last longer, but from my very limited personal experience I shave between 3 and 4 times with both. Then there seem to be a QC issue with Bic.
So again, I understand it's a very legitimate question to consider Bic over Feather when they cost a fifth of the price. But, is it still worth a consideration when they're priced similarly in your opinion?
On a side note, Nacet is also around the same price here in Singapore.
Where I live, 100 Bic blades are roughly the same price as 100 Feathers.
Would you still consider it's a tight game?
A lot of people mentioned the Bic last longer, but from my very limited personal experience I shave between 3 and 4 times with both. Then there seem to be a QC issue with Bic.
So again, I understand it's a very legitimate question to consider Bic over Feather when they cost a fifth of the price. But, is it still worth a consideration when they're priced similarly in your opinion?
On a side note, Nacet is also around the same price here in Singapore.
For me, I'd choose BIC over feather even if pricing was reversed.
The BIC gives me just as close a shave, lasts longer and is less harsh on my skin than the feather.
Re: nacet
I rate it much lower than feather, BIC and Wizamet. Not quite sharp enough for my preference.
I hold both pretty dear, honestly.
The Feather is the blade that basically taught me how to Shave™.
After years of using duller, smoother blades and making only incremental progress in technique I decided to load up a Feather and see what happened. First go was not pretty. Nor was the second or third. But I stuck with it, making changes here and there to angle, pressure, direction, etc. After a few weeks there was a kind of cumulative effect and my skill and confidence had both been transformed.
Stuck with the Feather for quite a while but then one day randomly tried a Bic CP from a blade sample pack and never really looked back. Immediately found that it was easily the Feather's equal in efficiency and had greater longevity to boot. Not to mention cheaper. And no wax.
That was years and years ago. The Bic has been my daily driver ever since. I usually toss them after 4-6 shaves but have taken a couple past 40, just for giggles.
I'm well aware of the mixed opinions regarding the Bic but I have to say I've used hundreds of these things now and never had a single issue. From a Baili BD171 all the way up to an R41 they've been nothing but solid, reliable performers for me.
Still keep a few Feathers around, though. Don't want to forget where I came from.
The Feather is the blade that basically taught me how to Shave™.
After years of using duller, smoother blades and making only incremental progress in technique I decided to load up a Feather and see what happened. First go was not pretty. Nor was the second or third. But I stuck with it, making changes here and there to angle, pressure, direction, etc. After a few weeks there was a kind of cumulative effect and my skill and confidence had both been transformed.
Stuck with the Feather for quite a while but then one day randomly tried a Bic CP from a blade sample pack and never really looked back. Immediately found that it was easily the Feather's equal in efficiency and had greater longevity to boot. Not to mention cheaper. And no wax.
That was years and years ago. The Bic has been my daily driver ever since. I usually toss them after 4-6 shaves but have taken a couple past 40, just for giggles.
I'm well aware of the mixed opinions regarding the Bic but I have to say I've used hundreds of these things now and never had a single issue. From a Baili BD171 all the way up to an R41 they've been nothing but solid, reliable performers for me.
Still keep a few Feathers around, though. Don't want to forget where I came from.
Thank you both for the input! I'm currently rotating between Feathers, Voskhod, and Bic. Trying not to add another brand to the mix for now. I enjoy Bic and Feather more than Voskhod, but I can't really figure out which one I prefer between these two. I'm afraid most of my opinion is skewed by my limited technique.
I'll keep trying and hopefully will find an answer at some point
I'll keep trying and hopefully will find an answer at some point
Nice to see some love for Bic Chrome Platinum. It's currently my number one blade. Seven decent shaves and counting in a 70's English Tech. It's not widely stocked in the UK; best price I've seen is around £12/100 on Amazon (need £25 total order for free shipping). I would put it at the higher end of the price range I normally pay. (I can get Nacets for £10/100 shipped; Feathers would cost me £22.50 so I haven't bothered.)
You might want to try 7 am hi platinum they are in my opinion just as good as feather but for less money.
During my last 2 months I think I added 150 BiC blades and I have now around 200 blades. Almost all of them are orange color , but I have one or two in yellow color.
On February I used a Feather blade for 20 shaves. I don't believe that a Feather is just for very few shaves. It was sharp enough even after 20 shaves, I just didn't want to push it.
Bic (orange) was yesterday on my first attempt pretty amazing, but not like the first shave with a feather blade. I am using this month a Bic blade that I bought and I will try to compare for myself to the Feather blade.
On February I used a Feather blade for 20 shaves. I don't believe that a Feather is just for very few shaves. It was sharp enough even after 20 shaves, I just didn't want to push it.
Bic (orange) was yesterday on my first attempt pretty amazing, but not like the first shave with a feather blade. I am using this month a Bic blade that I bought and I will try to compare for myself to the Feather blade.
Back in the day I often used Med Prep blades and they were about $29 for a box of 100. That was pretty expensive, but they had amazing longevity and I used them for 7 days (although the 7th day was not quite the same as the first few). A few years back (unfortunately, for me 2 years and 5 years feels about the same) I purchased 400 PolSilver blades from a member for about $64. Then there was one of the rumors about their demise and I purchased another 400. So I only occasionally dabble in other blades now. All blades are fairly cheap, but some have become ridiculous.
I like Feather blades, but only get two good shaves from one - and the second shave isn't as good as the first. Our friendly scientists at MIT have explained that all blades develop micro-tear imperfections when cutting hair - a material 50 times softer than the blade. My guess (total lack of science now) is that the shape of the tip of the Feather blade provides incredible sharpness at the beginning and possibly incredible vulnerability to damage for the same reason. Everything has a price. Some people have beards so tough a Feather is the only reasonable choice - and those shavers often use them for one shave. My beard is, thankfully, not quite that robust and I have a handful of other blades that provide the same shave for less money initially, and then half that amount again with the extended longevity. And while 30 cents a day for a blade seems high, it won't put much of a dent in the majority of people's lifestyles - so use what you like.
I like Feather blades, but only get two good shaves from one - and the second shave isn't as good as the first. Our friendly scientists at MIT have explained that all blades develop micro-tear imperfections when cutting hair - a material 50 times softer than the blade. My guess (total lack of science now) is that the shape of the tip of the Feather blade provides incredible sharpness at the beginning and possibly incredible vulnerability to damage for the same reason. Everything has a price. Some people have beards so tough a Feather is the only reasonable choice - and those shavers often use them for one shave. My beard is, thankfully, not quite that robust and I have a handful of other blades that provide the same shave for less money initially, and then half that amount again with the extended longevity. And while 30 cents a day for a blade seems high, it won't put much of a dent in the majority of people's lifestyles - so use what you like.
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