Well, I tried the Kai blades

[Hex]

and was even more disappointed than with the Astra SPs.

1st off, out of the box, the blade had absolutely no writing on it. Is that how they appear ?

I did my usual prep, the same as when I tried the Astra SPs.

I used my Tech and started with my easiest place to shave, directly under my sideburns. A lot of tugging and I knew that to proceed further would be a nightmare.

So I stopped and changed blades mid shave.
I put a Medical Personna (MP) in and did the same spot on the other side of my face.
It was definitely better but not perfect.
So, I put a Feather in and finished my shave. No tugging, no cuts, no weepers.

Could not have been the prep cause it was the same all over my face.
No comparison amongst the three. Feather best, MP 2nd, and Kai a distant 3rd.

I just wish the Feathers were cheaper.

As always YMWV.

 

[kingfisher]

Wow. Not my experience at all.

Try palm stropping the Kai. Seven strokes on all 4 sides prior to the first use.

Without stropping, the Kai is a little rough on the first shave. Shave number two is outrageously smooth and sharp.

If you strop it before the first shave, the first shave is smoother than it would have been. Shaves 2 and 3 are blade heaven.

Seriously. You just have to try it again.

 

[spindlecone]

sorry about that,KAIs are darn fine blades IMO,But they ain't no feather

 

[Hex]

OK, I will try the stropping technique.

Was I correct that the blades have no writing on them ?

I sure hope I can get them to work.

 

[kingfisher]

OK, I will try the stropping technique.

Was I correct that the blades have no writing on them ?

I sure hope I can get them to work.

Yep. They have no writing whatsoever. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.


No glue spots, either.

 

[Easttexasman]

I do not consider the feathers expensive.$29 for a 100 delivered.

Paul

 

[DE Shaver]

Considering the cost of KAI blades and Feather blades are fairly close (in some cases KAI is higher), I think your time and money would be better spent on blades you know that work for you without having to process them.

 

[spindlecone]

I do not consider the feathers expensive.$29 for a 100 delivered.

Paul

Up until approx two weeks ago $20.08 delivered in< 10 days was even better

 

[Hex]

Considering the cost of KAI blades and Feather blades are fairly close (in some cases KAI is higher), I think your time and money would be better spent on blades you know that work for you without having to process them.

Word, well taken.

Why cast around when I found something that works well.

Maybe I need a new AD. since I am settled on razors and close on brushes.

 

[kingfisher]

Considering the cost of KAI blades and Feather blades are fairly close (in some cases KAI is higher), I think your time and money would be better spent on blades you know that work for you without having to process them.

Kai blades are available from Jeremy ("Aneurysm"), and I believe they are less expensive than Feathers.

The other thing to consider is that hand-stropping the new blade takes about 30 seconds of time, and I ALWAYS get AT LEAST 4 shaves from a Kai; I think I could get 5 or maybe even 6. Most people can only get 2 out of a Feather before they have to use a new blade.

I have a very tough beard. I think many people could easily get 7 or 8 shaves from a Kai. Given the longevity, they are almost certainly a better value than Feathers.

 

[Hex]

Kai blades are available from Jeremy ("Aneurysm"), and I believe they are less expensive than Feathers.

The other thing to consider is that hand-stropping the new blade takes about 30 seconds of time, and I ALWAYS get AT LEAST 4 shaves from a Kai; I think I could get 5 or maybe even 6. Most people can only get 2 out of a Feather before they have to use a new blade.

I have a very tough beard. I think many people could easily get 7 or 8 shaves from a Kai. Given the longevity, they are almost certainly a better value than Feathers.

That is part of my evaluation kingfisher, the number of shaves.

Today I used a Feather for the 2nd day and it was a wonderfully good shave.
I will continue with it until it starts to tug terribly then try a hand stropped Kai.
Different prep today, no shower, and a shower will always, always, make my shaves smoother.

I always evaluate the blade fresh out of the shower. If it's bad then, I generally discard it.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

Wow. Not my experience at all.

Try palm stropping the Kai. Seven strokes on all 4 sides prior to the first use.

Without stropping, the Kai is a little rough on the first shave. Shave number two is outrageously smooth and sharp.

If you strop it before the first shave, the first shave is smoother than it would have been. Shaves 2 and 3 are blade heaven.

Seriously. You just have to try it again.

I found the Kai extremely smooth right out of the wrapper. They seem to remain equally smooth over 4 or 5 shaves. Just that blade YMMV thing rearing its head again, I guess! I've never palm stropped any blade, and as it stands now, I probably won't. If a blade is too rough to get a 1st shave out of without messing with it, it's simply not going to make it into my rotation. Blades are too cheap to have to improve them before the first use. In my estimation, anyway.

 

[DE Shaver]

The other thing to consider is that hand-stropping the new blade takes about 30 seconds of time, and I ALWAYS get AT LEAST 4 shaves from a Kai; I think I could get 5 or maybe even 6. Most people can only get 2 out of a Feather before they have to use a new blade.

I'm not certain where the opinion most people get only 2 shaves from a Feather come from. Some people may be vocal about the lack of longevity from Feathers. However, the B&B blade reviews certainly don't bear this out and Feathers score higher from a longevity standpoint than KAI blades. My personal experience is that Feather exceed the typical number of shaves and I too have a very tough beard, although of moderate density. This is again a YMMV consideration.

 

[Greybeard]

I also find Kais to last longer than any of my other blades. I can get at least 4 shaves out of a Kai. I usually average 3 with others. I place it in the second tier for me with Crystals and Astra SPs. My top tier are Iridiums, 7 O'Clock SharpEdge and Feathers. Feathers only last 2 shaves for me and start tugging during the 3rd shave. As always with blades, YMMV.

 

[TheDon]

I tried a Kai for the first time last night and experienced the same tugging right off the bat. At the end my face was all bloody and the shave wasn't even close because I was cutting myself so badly. It is now 14 hours post shave and my face still stings when I touch it.

Thankfully it was a dark restaurant where I met my date, and I don't think she noticed the bad shave. Trying a new blade before a date is a bad call.

Should I expect a different result the second time around with the Kai? I was extremely close to tossing it after the first shave.

 

[Greybeard]

I tried a Kai for the first time last night and experienced the same tugging right off the bat. At the end my face was all bloody and the shave wasn't even close because I was cutting myself so badly. It is now 14 hours post shave and my face still stings when I touch it.

Thankfully it was a dark restaurant where I met my date, and I don't think she noticed the bad shave. Trying a new blade before a date is a bad call.

Should I expect a different result the second time around with the Kai? I was extremely close to tossing it after the first shave.

I'd give it another try. Not when you have a date or important meeting though. I haven't noticed a big difference in smoothness between first and second shaves but many others have.
Nothing varies more than the opinion of blades among shavers. As long as the blade is well made (and the Kai is) you may find it more suitable with a different razor, or even put it away and try it again in a few months.
My opinion is that the Kai is sharp enough and relatively smooth but not the smoothest or sharpest that I've used. It lasts longer than usual for me and I don't know why.

 

[DE Shaver]

Nothing varies more than the opinion of blades among shavers.

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Den]

Thankfully it was a dark restaurant where I met my date, and I don't think she noticed the bad shave. Trying a new blade before a date is a bad call.

I wouldn't even use a DE, regardless of blade, if I had an important event to attend. I'd play it safe and stick with the TracII, Atra or Sensor.

 

[kingfisher]

I wouldn't even use a DE, regardless of blade, if I had an important event to attend. I'd play it safe and stick with the TracII, Atra or Sensor.

I would.


I use a DE every day. And then I go to work at the hospital and meet patients and their parents face-to-face.

Not sure what "event" would require any more care than my daily employment.

 

[SafetyRazorDave]

I would.


I use a DE every day. And then I go to work at the hospital and meet patients and their parents face-to-face.

Not sure what "event" would require any more care than my daily employment.

+1 The weekend before last I had a wedding to attend and I only brought my newly acquired, not used by me once, 40's Super Speed. I'm confident enough with a DE that I wasn't worried about even using a new razor for the first time before an important occasion, and I got a marvellous shave.

With enough practice you'll manage to get easy, and even quick if you wish, shaves with a DE.