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Feather Popular DE razor review

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:30 pm
by L. Martino
Hiya,


I've used this razor twice now, and I sorta doubt my opinion's gonna change much over the next couple shaves. By now I can tell pretty quickly how a razor will perform.

First, let me say my perfect aggressive level is on the Gillette scale #4. That would be on the high side of the milder shaving settings. A Tech is about the closest fixed head type(as a reference point).

I found some very good things with the Feather that surprised me. My first shave was using an Iridium, and the second was using a Feather blade. The Iridium was ok, but the Feather blade was a much better fit for me. Normally, I can only use a Feather in my fatboy, but this razor is suited for a very sharp blade.

Yeah, that means this DE is VERY mild. Feels like maybe a #2 setting....maybe a litle higher. The Iridium(sharp as they are) didn't cut as close as they usually do, and the switch to the Feather blade did the trick. Talk about a nice easy shave........very pleasant.

Heh, using a long handle after all these years was interesting. Wasn't a problem, but it did feel a little weird. The razor's mostly plastic, with a metal head. Balance is fine and the head design makes for finding the correct angle easily.

The build seems good........TTO works smoothly and the head seems free of flaws. All in all, it looks to be a well constructed item.

I was gifted this razor(thanks Fozzy-Beard), and wouldn't have thought to ever try one myself. It really was a pleasant surprise, and I could recommend it in some situations. Someone with big hands might find this one to their liking, or someone who likes a mild razor/sharp blade combo(such as myself). This would also be a very good razor to start a DE journey.

I believe the razors sell for $15-20 or so. Comes with a nice plastic box and two Feather blades. It's not for everyone, but certainly is worth a look for some.

Martin

Oh.....for reference to the handle length, the Feather's next to a Gillette super adjustable in that pic.


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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:46 pm
by Gareth
Martin, interesting review, and thanks for taking the time to write it.

I'm more of a vintage Gillette man myself, but I must admit that I have been intrigued for some time now about these Feather DE razors.

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:35 pm
by CMur12
Hi Martin -

I have one of these that I bought early on, and I think I used it a few times at first, but I never revisited it.

I'm participating in a new shaving forum in Portugal, where vintage Gillettes aren't as readily available. This is one razor that is sold in those parts and that is frequently mentioned. I'm glad to know more about it. Thanks!

- Murray

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:05 pm
by L. Martino
One more thing I should mention about this razor:

The light weight means that pressure is needed at times during my shave......more so with the Iridium. With that blade I found myself going over some spots a couple more times than normal, and bearing down helped things along. Using the feather eliminated most of the need for pressure, but not all. I still had to help things along in some places like my chin. Yes it's a metal head, but it's not all that heavy.

Murray, you know what it sorta feels like? Think of a well built and heavier than usual injector. Yeah, that's kinda the way it handles, but with a DE rather than SE experience. Being able to use a Feather blade and not having to pay much attention to detail is a nice bonus.

Maybe that'll help explain things a little more.

Martin

Oh....I used the Feather /Feather combo again today and man.......what a nice laid back shave. Being able to comfortably use an extremely sharp blade is really what makes this combo effective instead of frustrating.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:06 am
by mission of burma shave
I feel much the same here. The feather blade and razor combo is a nice one. I think the popular razor from Feather actually was designed to work best with the feather blade...