Customer Reviews

Feather Hi-Stainless Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades 30 Ct

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Feather New Hi-Stainless is currently my preferred, "go-to" blade. While there are plenty of double edge (DE) blades I have yet to try, I have been able to try several other blades.

The Feather "wins" because of its sharpness. In other words, it is SHARP! If you have gotten your DE technique and face prep down, then this blade will not let you down. The flip side of that is ... if you are brand new to DE shaving or have not yet been able to achieve a smooth, nick-free and super-close shave, then beware. You may not yet be ready for the Mighty Feather. :) (Keep the styptic pencil handy!)

Some people say this blade, while extremely sharp, is not as smooth as some others and doesn't provide as many good shaves as it might. So far I have found this to not be true for me. I can routinely get 3 great shaves out of a Feather, and the 4th shave is at least very good, if not great.

As with all blades, your choice of razor makes a difference. In my Merkur 38C razor, this blade is the perfect choice. The Feather Portable is a lot more aggressive than the 38C, so my first shave with a Feather/Feather combination was not nearly as good or comfortable. It wasn't horrible, and I think I can now do better since I've had more experience with the Portable. But that said, if you use the Feather blade in a more aggressive or adjustable razor, take care with your technique and/or setting.

Update 2/13/08: As my prep has improved, I have discovered that the Feather is even better than my initial comments indicate.

First, as to longevity: Just for kicks I decided to see how many shaves I could get out of a single Feather blade. With meticulous face prep, I actually got TEN shaves out of one blade! I grant that the last few shaves were not as smooth and comfortable as the first several, BUT there were no nicks or cuts, and virtually all the shaves were superior to first shaves with some blades I've tried.

Second, as to smoothness: Better prep also has meant my impression of the Feather's smoothness has increased. At this point it is edged out by a whisker by the Gillette Stainless Platinum (aka "Swedes", though they're actually made in Poland), but the difference is not huge. And the Swede is just a bit less sharp than the Feather.

I am currently testing some Feathers that received cryogenic treatment. I'm not sure yet what that entails, but the cryo treatment kicks the Feather up a notch in terms of smoothness. It's not quite a Swede, but is closer. YMMV.

UPDATE

The Feather is still my favourite blade. Since writing this review I have been able to use the French Gillette Bleue blades, which a friend obtains for me whenever she is in France. I find them extremely close to the Feather in sharpness, and subjectively they seem smoother. The Bleues also seem better than the Gillette "Sweedes". Again, YMMV.

The Feather is the best DE blades made today, period.

DE shaving technique can all be boiled down to giving the blade it's due respect. The Feather is a teacher of proper technique and the Feather demands the utmost respect.

When you use proper technique, you respect and please the blade and you are rewarded with smooth, flawless skin. If you apply any pressure at all to your face when shaving, you disrespect and insult the blade by implying that it needs your help to do it's job. You'll then be punished accordingly and you'll not easily forget your mistake.

If you wish to quickly become a shaving master, let the Feather be your teacher.

I am using the Merkur Progress adjustable razor. Also using this razor to break into eventually using a straight razor. I got the Merkur Progress on a whim, and things have progressed for me a la "gateway" shaving tool. At this point since finding the FEATHER blades, I don't particularly care if I ever graduate to the straight razor.

After some research and having tried the Merkur and one brand of generic blades, with over a year of getting to know my razor I have finally used up all the Merkur blades I got, I sought out the Feather blades.

So far all I have read on both the Merkur and the FEATHER have been consistent, for me.

I have fairly sensitive skin and can only shave once to twice per week. The skin on my neck takes a while to recover from shaves, no matter what method I use. I also use my razor to shave my head. Sounds crazy I know, but it does the best job, period. I guess time with the razor has given me a surgical grip on the razor, for obvious reasons.

For the Merkur Progress, I start on the #4 setting as a knock down pass on my face and neck with the grain. (I have gone through quite a few soaps and cremes for lather/lubes. This last one I have tried is the best I have found- Cremo Creme. So good it even effects they grip on my razor making it slippery) Re-lather, adjust to #2.5 setting and give a cross the grain pass. Light rinse to feel where I need to give extra attention, re-lather, adjust to #1.5 and give a final against the grain pass.

Between going through the process of using the adjustments on my razor and finding the FEATHER blades I have reduced nicks and total shave time. Before, it could take up to an hour using blades that were on their third or fourth shave. Now with the Feather blades I'm on my third shave/use and this was my fastest at around 20+ minutes including shaving my head.

Before, my neck would get pretty nicked up and bloody, these last shaves with the FEATHER blades have been a real honest treat and joy. The blades raised my shaving skill points and finished feel. The smoothest finest shave I have ever had. Very close shave. (now this only leads me to imagine the shave I can achieve with a straight razor...)

Shaving with a traditional Double Edge safety razor is an art neglected by most. There is something atavistic in putting raw blade to your face every morning. And when it comes to making blades, the Japanese are still unsurpassed.

Shopping around you will probably hear that these Platinum coated FEATHER blades are extremely sharp. Yes they are. They are the sharpest. By far. And that is a very good thing.
When shaving with a Double Edge Razor one is supposed to let the weight of the razor do most of the work. Thus, the sharpest the blade the less pressure it will take to achieve that close shave - and the less chance of getting nicked.

It depends on one's bristles but I do not feel the need to change the blade more often than every second week or so. Thus, these 30 blades will probably last me well over 6 months. Now, compare that to the cost of shaving with those flashy and overhyped Gillettes.

It does have an adjustment curve (especially when one comes from those supermarket multi-bladed contraptions) and it will require both a good shaving soap such as the Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna and a top Double Blade safety razor such as the Feather; however, the end result is well worth it. And in no time you will be shaving as fast as before only deeper and more satisfying.

Treat yourself to the best.

WITH MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS!

I actually think these could be sharper, but that might make them a bit harsh. It's so hard to tell because the razor you use also helps to determine the right blade for your face, and the properties of your beard and skin as well as the shape of your face and your level of technique all influence what is sharp enough and what is murder on your face because it's too dull or too aggressive. However, Feather has a solid reputation amongst wet-shavers for being just right for many.

I have been using Merkurs for the last two years, and was interested in seeing what else was out there. Positive reviews led me to try the Feather.

Many of the reviews make it seem like they are so sharp they should be illegal, and that it will take several weeks of blood and carnage until one masters them. I have not found this to be the case at all.

They are sharp, but not insanely sharp. They seem to hold their edge longer than the Merkur, so I get three shaves out of it instead of the two I was used to with Merkur. By the end of the third go, it's done. So, it's more economical.

The shave is nice, close and comfortable. I'll stick with these.

Disclaimer: my whiskers are pretty think, so if you have thin/fine whiskers it may be too much. Also, you are steaming your face with a towel before you shave, and then using a pre-shave oil, shaving soap and a brush, right? Using a safety razor without these elements is like putting a Ferrari engine in a Prius.

I started using a double edge razor about six weeks ago after tiring of the cost of Gilette Fusion blades. Have tried Lord, Merkur and Derby blades. Just tried my first Feather blade, and it is FAR superior to the others. It shaves extremely close and is not too sharp if little or no pressure is applied while shaving. In combination with Proraso cream this is the best double edge shave you can get. I actually look forward to shaving in the morning. What used to be a dull routine is now almost fun.

Sharpest blades I've used... I've used Merkur blades and some generic DE's from Walgreens. Pretty new to DE shaving and need to try more brands, but I'd have to agree with the other reviewers, they are SHARP! And they've destroyed my neck a few times when I was in a hurry... Hehehe, still learning. However, when you take the time tho, Feathers give a GREAT shave. FYI, I'm using them with a Merkur razor and Ultimate Comfort shave cream from Truefitt & Hill. Truefitt & Hill make excellent shave creams, much better than Art of Shaving in my opinion. The scented stuff is a little strong for my tastes, and I think it was irritating my skin a little. My method for the best shave: (1) steam my face over a skillet of boiling water for 5 min (easier than a hot towel, and seems to do the trick, BIG improvement over just lathering up). (2) Create the warm lather in a bowl using a badger hair brush. (3) Apply lather with my hands (less irritation than the badger hair brush allowing for a second pass). (4) Shave... with the grain. (5) Repeat lather and shave for second pass (mostly with the grain, some days its against the grain on the second pass). Finish off with another 5 min of the steam treatment. If i do this with care, most days I don't even need after shave balm, would like to try Geo F. Trumper's skin food tho. Oh, almost forgot an important detail... never wash your face! I was washing washing my face with regular bar soap twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, and my skin was really drying out and making it difficult to make more than one pass a day. Stopped washing my face and presto! clean shave and healthy skin. I'm guessing I could probably wash with a more mild facial soap... but I really don't think its necessary. In my mind, the simple fact of lathering (shave creams are basically mild soaps with hair softeners and lubricants) and shaving should be enough to cleanse and remove any dead skin. I'm sharing this because I wish someone had told me this before I started... would've have saved me some pain and frustration. Really digging the results now, tho... hope this helps.

These blades are wicked sharp. They give you a fantastic shave when used carefully. I have tried other brands such as Dorco and Derby,they don't even come close to Feathers.
If you want the ultimate shave use Feather blades everytime.

First let me say that if you were like me, you are eager but afraid to try these blades out. I am not going to get into whether or not these are the sharpest blades around that is sort of a given, nobody seems to contest that, the good and bad reviews alike.

I would like to begin reviewing this item by saying, "if you are sampling blades to find the one that gives the most comfortable shave, I do believe you need to try these." I would wait however (if you are new to DE shaving) until you have practiced with a few others first (where you rarely nick yourself). You really should have your technique down for ANY of the really sharp blades. I have read many of the reviews on these blades both positive and negative, the negatives made me hesitate for a bit before trying them, it was actually the overwhelming number of positive reviews that finally got me to make the attempt.

I have to say there is a reason for the number of reviews on these blades. They are amazing!!! I have never had a smoother shave, not just in how it cuts but how the blade glides over the skin. If it wasn't for the fact that I could hear the blade cutting hair I couldn't tell that blade was actually shaving (in some areas). I believe that I have pretty good shaving technique and I have yet to suffer a nick with this blade (knock on wood). Even the slight mole on my neck, which I have resigned to just get nicked when I shave has come through unscathed. My face feels great, minimal to no burn (I will admit the minimal burn is from where I have shaved against the grain on my neck which I don't even dare to do with other blades. This is now my go to blade. My search for my best blade has ended here. Of course everyone's best blade may be different I do believe this is a blade to try.

I also feel it is necessary to say that many of the negative reviews address different issues, that may or may not apply to every user.

1. Price. While in relation to other DE blades feathers are indeed costlier, in relation to Cartridges, they are incredibly inexpensive. I just saw a pack of 8 fusion cartridges at a popular discount retail chain for about $28. My feeling on this is just a matter of priority. If you are looking for the best shave possible, this may be the blade for you. Keep in mind, some of the reviewers who discuss the price of the blade will often brag how they can get another brand blade to last 3 weeks or more. I think that speaks for itself, I have never had any blade that was good for more than a week, and pushing it at that.

2. Butchering the face while shaving. Like I mentioned earlier in the review, you really need to have your DE shaving technique down for any really sharp blades. To much pressure or a bad angle and I can see these blades doing some damage. On the other hand I find really sharp blades to be very forgiving, because they require no pressure, they will cut the hair, all you must do is guide. Also remember that different razors may have different cutting angles, guards/combs etc, and trying a new razor with a new blade may mean relearning your shaving angles. Shave preparation is also very important in getting a clean, close comfortable shave so please keep that in mind as well. It is also possible (as with any brand) that you have just gotten a bad blade. So if you find the shave unbearable try again later with a new blade and see if it is the same.

Here is a list of what I am using at the time of this review.

1. The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, for All Skin Types, 2 fl oz (60 ml) (I find this oil to be a bit thick, and am currently just using it up)
2. Edwin Jagger Natural Hydrating Pre-shave Lotion
3. Taylor of Old Bond Street Lemon - Lime Shaving Cream Jar, 5.3-Ounce
4. Edwin Jagger De89bl Double Edge Safety Razor Chrome Plated
5. Bloc Osma Natural Alum Block
6. Edwin Jagger 99.9% Natural Moisturising Aftershave Lotion - Sea Buckthorn, 3.4-Ounce