How many shaves do you get out of a feather blade

JarmoP · Post by **JarmoP** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 12:25 pm

I have always been thinking instead of how many shaves my face can take.

First day is good except overly sharp stubble when it grows back. Second day is so and so but still quite allright, and the third day in a row is like what are these reddish bumbleses I find under my chin? What is this itch and irritation?

Anyways it is nice to hear from your others experience that Feather blades are not quality long lasting blades like my Iridiums or the Swedes that I have still a few too. Them just sharp and overly so and I feel free to keep my opinion like this.

LookingGlass · Post by **LookingGlass** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:09 pm

CJS wrote:If I hand-strop it before every shave, I can stretch a Feather to 5 shaves

Chris.....

What is hand stropping? Sounds dangerous.

Concerning the shaves, 4 to 5.

Thanks,

Ed

Silky Glide · Post by **Silky Glide** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:09 pm

I usually toss any blade after three shaves except for Iridiums - I get four shaves out of them.

Dale · Post by **Dale** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 8:59 am

The last time I used a Feather blade was in the Feather SS DE and the blade went 50 shaves. Obviously, I do not have a blade destroying beard. :) When I finally tossed the blade, it still did not feel totally used up.

Dave_D · Post by **Dave_D** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:22 am

Not sure what the deal is here, I have rough scruff and can get a dozen smooth shaves out of a Feather on my old Tech. Maybe its because Ive gotten used to a str8 and the DEs seem ultra sharp by comparison.

Racso_MS · Post by **Racso_MS** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:09 pm

LookingGlass wrote:
CJS wrote:If I hand-strop it before every shave, I can stretch a Feather to 5 shaves
Chris.....

What is hand stropping? Sounds dangerous.

Concerning the shaves, 4 to 5.

Thanks,

Ed

Here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogq4wfpT ... annel_page

Some do it. Some don't. Some say it helps extend the life of the razor blade, some say it helps dull a razor blade like the Feather. Some even use cork for this process. I'm not sure if it works as I've never tried it. But you asked, and this is what I found. Didn't want to search all the threads since i know this has been discussed "SEVERAL" times on this forum.

v/r
Oscar

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:52 pm

Dave Irving! Good material.

Rocky_Marciano · Post by **Rocky_Marciano** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 8:50 am

It can range anywhere from 2-6 shaves for me, it all depends on the blade, when those feathers go south they go south in a hurry and they will knick you bad... Other blades like us personna, trigs, I can keep on shaving even when they are dull and wont knick me.

Ive had good luck at extending blade life by flipping it when dull, but with the feather ive learned its not worth pushing it!!

I just watched that video, i might have to try that, I have rough hands so should work pretty good.

JayTrek · Post by **JayTrek** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:49 am

I have also exclusively used Feathers for some time now. I normally get 4 shaves from one blade.

numcks · Post by **numcks** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:53 am

Usually 5.

SteveK · Post by **SteveK** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 7:45 pm

I began using Feathers over a year ago in response to the ever shifting availability of just about all other blades on the planet. I’d find one I liked – and voila! - it was no longer available.

I get exactly 7 shaves from one. Five or six is probably optimal, but 7 are necessary for my OCD, so I can change the blade on the same day weekly. I find that a Feather on Day 7 is not as smooth as Day 1 or 2, but is smoother than any blade on Day 1 that I occasionally load to remind myself why I continue to use the Feathers exclusively. I will admit that I dial back a tad when using them, but have never experienced the irritation over time that some have experienced.

Steve

JayTrek · Post by **JayTrek** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:30 pm

OK...speaking of dialing down...I typically shave with my Feather blades in a Merkur Futur set on 4 with good results.

melyus · Post by **melyus** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:17 am

5 is really good number to change the feather for me.

infotech · Post by **infotech** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:56 am

bordeaaj · Post by **bordeaaj** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:21 pm

SteveK wrote:I get exactly 7 shaves from one. Five or six is probably optimal, but 7 are necessary for my OCD, so I can change the blade on the same day weekly. I find that a Feather on Day 7 is not as smooth as Day 1 or 2, but is smoother than any blade on Day 1 that I occasionally load to remind myself why I continue to use the Feathers exclusively.

+1...no OCD here but I've used used Feathers daily for the last 5 or 6 years and change blades every weekend regardless of razor, be it modern Merkur or vintage Gillette. Over the years I've worked my way through several blade samplers and, like SteveK, have also found a week old Feather is usually smoother than a new, unused blade from many (if not most) other brands. I've never had trouble with Feathers starting out rough or going south in any more of a hurry than any other blade. In fact, my experience suggests the opposite...most other brands start out substantially south to begin with and the Feathers never reach the level of degradation other blades get to in a real hurry. And I can't remember the last time I was nicked with a Feather at any time during it's life span. (knock on wood)

lradke · Post by **lradke** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:31 pm

I can get 3 shaves...then it is way too dull. I only use them rarely...usually for special occasions where I want a really smooth shave.

alcx77 · Post by **alcx77** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:37 pm

Dale wrote:The last time I used a Feather blade was in the Feather SS DE and the blade went 50 shaves. Obviously, I do not have a blade destroying beard. When I finally tossed the blade, it still did not feel totally used up.

Wow- and I thought I could streatch a blade untill it screamed...or at least until I did. I manage 14 or so with feathers I am sure due to the enhanced hydration of shower shaving.

Alan

funkthulhu · Post by **funkthulhu** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:51 pm

I'm glad I read this thread.

I've seen a lot of threads lately on SMF University, and the General boards about how certain oils and soaps are giving really rough shaves on the first try. I find the same happens to me, but I usually change my blade when I get new stuff (and new blades). I've been stretching blades to 9 or 10 shaves with no real problems until I switch out.

Then I bleed like a stuck hog.

Seems I push down harder and harder as the blade gets duller and duller, by the time I roll around to a new blade I take off everything down to the bone.

I've adjusted my shave technique based on this thread alone and I haven't bled out in 2 weeks. AND I'm still getting just as close a shave.

So, anyway, just my two cents, thanks for another great rule of thumb for great shaves! (And make damn sure to revisit your shave technique before you try any new products!)

ScottB · Post by **ScottB** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:09 pm

3 good shaves from a Feather blade for me. The 4th and 5th are tolerable. Shave number 6 and I feel some serious pulling.

Rocky_Marciano · Post by **Rocky_Marciano** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 5:55 pm

I just tried the hand stropping, I immediately noticed a smoother shave! Im going to have to play around with this definitely..