I had no idea what I was missing!

KNaB

KNaB

Joined
Oct 18, 2008
Messages
832
For Christmas this year, my girlfriend bought me a Muhle r89 razor (my first DE) with a variety of blades (Merkur, Derby, Feather). So, I shaved with Trumper almond shave cream, my Rooney brush, and my Muhle with a feather blade today and WOW! I had to check the water during rinsing to make sure it was , in fact, shaving hair. Sure enough, whiskers in the sink. I don't know if it was the razor or the blades, but i felt nearly no resistance when shaving. So smooth. I've only tried the feather blades and they seem to wok amazingly well. Any recommendations for other blades? I have the Merkurs, and Derby which I've yet to try. Should I stick to the Feather? I also have a straight razor (Thiers Issard Super Gnome) that I occasionally shave with, but when time matters, it's all DE for me from now on. No more crappy mach3, fusion, 27 bladed cartridges for me!
 
Another one-shave convert.

Stick with the Feathers for a couple of weeks until you think you've got that perfected, then try the Derbys and Merkurs in the Muhle for a couple of weeks each. And when you're done, come back here and let us know what your conclusions are.



Personally, I think that Merkur blades are way over-priced. They are among the most expensive blades and, I don't think, they live up to their price. They're a middle-of-the-road blade for a top-of-the-line price, IMHO. But, we'll see what you think on your face with your razor.

Personally, I think Derby blades are nice. They are very, very consistent -- almost never a bad edge on a Derby. They give a great shave. And they certainly are more economical than Feather.

Personally, I think that Feather blades are the best. They are amazing. But, I only get four saves from a Feather blade and they are pricey. As luxuries go, though, Feather razor blades are pretty affordable. I don't like the plastic box and cellophane overwrap.

I also like BIC blades. They're half the price of Feather and consistently give me six good shaves each. I think they're 95% of the shave for 33% of the cost. You might want to try those.
 
Awesome. Thanks for the insight guys. I'll show my face around this sub-forum more often. Happy New Year to you and your families.
 
Why, don't you guys strop those DE blades to get more economy out of them?
To you the same. Happy New Year. DM
 
David Martin said:
Why, don't you guys strop those DE blades to get more economy out of them?
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I have heard tell of guys doing this. I think it would be a bit dangerous because even a "dull" razor blade -- to dull to shave with -- is still nasty-sharp and they have no convenient handle or anything. But, the real reason I have exactly zero interest in it is that I am fortunate that God has blessed me richly enough that I can afford recycle a ten cent blade after only six shaves; my time is more valuable than might be served by eeking an extra few shaves out of a blade.
 
I enjoy sharpening and tinkering with this. Plus, God has blessed me and I purchased a kevlar glove to use for this purpose. DM
 
I too made the switch about a month ago and can not believe the difference. The Feather blades are the only ones I've used so far, but the shave is incredible. I've always experiences razor burn with every one of the fancy, mutlibladed, new-fangled razors. One shave with a '64 Gillette and a Feather blade and I swore I'd never go back. I can already shave atg with just about zero irritation. My face has never felt so smooth. I almost look forward to saving instead of dreading it.
 
Feathers are my first choice, followed by Derby, then (believe it or not), Gillette 7 O'Clock Green.

DE blades are cheap enough to discard after 3-4 shaves at most.
 
Someone told me "If you could go back and learn how to drive again, wouldn't you want to learn on a Ferrari?"
I'd say stick with the Feather (universally thought to be the sharpest blade) since it is working for you while you work out your razor angle and your other techniques. Then maybe explore whether you can find a cheaper blade that does everything the Feather does. Some folks really like the Personna Medical (or Lab) prep blades.
 
I'll join in the chorus of those praising Feather blades. I've been using my very first one for about the last month to shave my whole face AND scalp. Only now am I considering swapping it out for a new one.
Per stropping, one idea to jury-rig a "handle" might be to clamp the blade in a set of forceps. Not the most intuitive process, but probably beats the ol' "strop on the inside of a tumbler" myth.
 
Not brave enough to trying shaving the scalp yet. Maybe by the time summer rolls around...
 
Bought a Feather All Stainless DE Razor with Feather blades about a year and a half ago and have not looked back. Love the smooth shave.
 
Wow look at all the Feather love going on in here:p I guess I will have to be the lone naysayer. I tried Feather blades and they rate second from the bottom of all the blades I have tried with Derbys being the lowest. I have no doubt that Feathers and Derbys are good blades, they just don't work for my face:(

I find that my experience with what is suppose to be the best blade on the market a great example of why you should try as many blades as possible to find what works for you.
 
Good point unky_gumbi.

Just out of curiosity, what razor were you using with the Feathers?
 
I have noticed that Feather blades are very polarizing: you love 'em or you hate 'em, but not much in between.

Well, it's a good thing we have choices.
 
I tried them in a few razors, EJ89L and some mild vintage Gillettes, and got the same results. I didn't want to try them in any of my more aggressive razors because they were ripping up my face in the mild razors:( I have tried Feathers about 6 different times since I started DE shaving and get the same results every time so I know it wasn't from being a newb and its just a blade that doesn't work for me.
 
For our reference, what blade did you end up finding to work the best for you? You really do need a light touch with the Feathers. If they were "ripping up your face" with a mild razor, you might try one more time with super-light pressure.

unky_gumbi said:
I tried them in a few razors, EJ89L and some mild vintage Gillettes, and got the same results. I didn't want to try them in any of my more aggressive razors because they were ripping up my face in the mild razors:( I have tried Feathers about 6 different times since I started DE shaving and get the same results every time so I know it wasn't from being a newb and its just a blade that doesn't work for me.
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For me its the Israeli Persona Reds that work best, Bic and Shark come in at a close second and third. I find with the IP Reds that I get that perfect combination of smooth and sharp. I have been DE shaving for close to 2 years now, I know my technique is good, Feathers just aren't the blade for me.
 
I've tried Feathers a few times and they aren't for me either. I rotate between IP Reds, Astras and even the better Dorcos. I do like the Personna meds but they are a bit pricey.

This type of shaving is addictive and with all the variety makes shaving less mundane. My latest hobby is restoring vintage brushes.

I started with this..

shave.jpg


...and it morphed into this! That's not including the EDC's and EDTs in the dark cabinet.

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