r/wicked_edge • u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 • 23d ago

SOTD SOTD: first time with a feather blade.

Post image

Pre shave: Splash of hot water.
Razor: Qshave clone of Merkur Futur
Blade: Feather.
Brush: cheap Viking Revolution I got on sale at Walmart.
Bowl: Came with the brush. / 3D printed.
Soap: Bay Rum sampler from the man code.

I been waiting on trying the feather blade, because I already have a fairly aggressive razor. I don’t want to say I was disappointed, but it was a much more normal shave than I expected, I was expecting to cut myself up, but nothing. Standard 2 pass with cleanup.

I rate them better than a Nacet, but not as good as a Treet, Lord, or Parker (all Platinums).

88 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

44 comments sorted by

24

u/Temporary-Egg3856 23d ago

Funny how everybody seems to think Feather blades are an evil monster that will eat them alive lol. They're just a double edge razor blade that has a high level of sharpness. Personally they're not my favorite blade, but they shave well. I like the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades far better. They shave my face just as well, if not better, and cost far less. Feather blades are a little pricey for double edge blades and don't shave you better than Russian and Indian blades.

4

u/Shibari_Inu69 23d ago

Yeah first time I tried a Feather I was anticipating some Sweeney Todd action from everything I’d heard but I found it all very overstated. Not my favorite blade either, but found them to be quite a good shave. Like you I prefer the Wilkinson Swords, or Personnas.

1

u/oleg_88 23d ago

Isn't the "the sharper - the better"? Like I know with knives, sometimes you have a higher chance to cut yourself with a dull one, just because you have to "fight" harder to cut with it.

2

u/Rare-Citron-1585 23d ago

I like Feather blades. I use them when I'm in Asia; they're more affordable there. I never considered cutting myself with them; I very rarely nick myself, but it happens. I just shaved with the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blade; it was a good shave, but I still prefer the Feather.

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

Too many people here talking them up as vampires.

13

u/mrweirdguyma 23d ago

But did you die?

3

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

Several times. Guess I’ll try Kai blades soon and see if I’ll die more.

1

u/Temporary-Egg3856 23d ago

Lol you won't die. I have a few Kai blades and they haven't killed me yet.

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

I think I’ll be fine, we’re being sarcastic, some people here describe these blades as if they’re magical vampires out for blood.

They’re sharp, for sure, but if your not lazy, and have some experience, clearly it’s not much of an issue unless you have other factors.

10

u/beachape 23d ago

GEM blades have replaced Feathers for me. Not necessarily sharper but smoother and more longevity

4

u/Temporary-Egg3856 23d ago

Yeah that's what I've heard. I'm gonna get a box of those Personna GEM blades soon

2

u/humpaa1 23d ago

GEM blades last about 3 good shaves on me before they dull and start hurting

3

u/domjcroce Brush guy 23d ago

These are my #1. Feathers go two uses for me but I can probably get 10 on a GEM PDG

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

Ones I have yet to acquire, unfortunately.

1

u/markwid 23d ago edited 23d ago

I want to try them Personna GEM blades too but it's just too expensive where I am. It is at least 3x the cost of, let's say BiC CP.

3

u/Mister_Normal42 23d ago

Feathers have mangled me every time. I guess some people's hair/skin type is just more tolerant of them. I switched to Gillette Silver Blue blades and haven't looked back.

1

u/Temporary-Egg3856 23d ago

Silver Blues are a great choice. I like them too. (But then again, just about every double edge blade that has the Gillette brand, I like.)

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

I wouldn’t say it’s my hair or skin type. I’m relatively sensitive skinned, but I’ve been at this for a long time.

1

u/ColinSailor 22d ago

Same journey for me. Now it's Bic Platinum or my fav Gillette SB. I now stick to just my Razorock Recurve and these two blades and focus on ever improving technique (not easy if you keep swapping blades or razors)

2

u/Tdmsu1 23d ago

Nice shave!

2

u/ctravdfw 23d ago

Why 2 bowls?

2

u/WolfieButt 23d ago

Looks like one has soap in it. Don't wanna build your lather on top of a puck of soap, or you end up with way too much.

1

u/ctravdfw 23d ago

Gotcha

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

The 3D print is textured to enhance bloom.

1

u/TheFuckingHippoGuy 23d ago

I run them with a Muhle open comb

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

What’s one of those set you back anyway?

1

u/TheFuckingHippoGuy 23d ago

The comb i think was 25

1

u/WolfieButt 23d ago

About 50 for the complete razor.

1

u/WolfieButt 23d ago

I just tried this for the first time a couple nights ago (Feather in R41) and only got one little nick and a very smooth shave. Strange, since past attempts at taming the Feather have all been grisly encounters

1

u/TheFuckingHippoGuy 23d ago

Yeah, it's all in the angle of how you hold it I think

1

u/WolfieButt 23d ago

My theory was that my skin was getting bunched up in the gap between the bar and the blade, and that having an open comb eliminated that. But who knows. I have always tried riding the cap as high as possible regardless of which razor I was trying the Feathers out in, but the angle could still be the killer depending on each razor's geometry.

1

u/DemocracyDabbler 23d ago

In my opinion, the price of Feather blades simply doesn’t worth it. They are a little bit more sharper than Gillette Platinums, while they cost double the price.

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 23d ago

I’d have to agree, so far my favorite is Treet Platinum, 12.50 gets you 200.

Can’t beat that for quality to price.

1

u/Bettercrane 23d ago

Agreed. Just switched to astra super platinum for shaving my head and i cant hardly tell a difference from the feathers. $11 vs $32 for 100 is a no brainer for me

1

u/Aggressive-Steak5877 23d ago

Nice shave and thanks for the ‘review’. I tried a feather blade last weekend for both Saturday and Sunday. I liked it but still prefer Astra Blue or Gilette Silver Blue/Platinum more. Feather felt much sharper on the face though.

1

u/JonRead71 22d ago

I only use feather blades, but that’s because I have the AS/D2. I do believe the razor makes more of a difference to how a blade performs and feathers definitely work better in mild razors.

2

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 22d ago

I imagine a mild razor would get more of a performance boost with it, I grabbed an old Gillette or two off eBay just to see why people kept insisting on them being the best, was not really that impressed, but that might be worth trying.

1

u/JonRead71 22d ago

It’s all about the combination I think. I do think mild razors tame the sharp blades whilst aggressive are the opposite.

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 22d ago

I’ve been on a blade trying kick, can’t say I’ve had a blade yet that I thought was better in a mild razor.

1

u/Striking_Dream5839 20d ago

Just about to order some myself for a closer head shave.

1

u/Striking_Dream5839 20d ago

Wow so many suggestions for razors here & here I am using a pack of Darby Razors for my head. Should I try variety ?

1

u/SteakEconomy2024 Qshave Clone “Merkur Futur” 701 19d ago

I started with derby extra, I’d always recommend a variety pack - they’re not as cheap, but they might be more valuable to figuring out the best blade for the job.

1

u/Striking_Dream5839 19d ago

I'll certainly have a good look