I've wanted a Cobra ever since they came out, but missed them the first couple of runs then they jacked the price up and I spent too long debating the price and missed one again and again. When the batch came out last week I said screw it. I've had it for nearly 2 weeks and I'm still on the first blade and I'm a head shaver, so those Feathers have a ton of life to them. I love it, even more than my slants; which says a lot. I honestly can't see myself ever using any other razor. Worth $170? Hard to say, but I'll have it forever so the price no longer bothers me. The gift box was a good idea, but it's cheap, ugly, poorly constructed and really has no purpose. A decent travel style box would have been much better. Also my razor has scuffs on the back of the handle and the plating under the shave head is very rough. It's not something I would expect from a premium razor, but it's nothing that I would send it back for. In fact, the poor quality finish and scuffs are reason enough to send it out for replating in platinum. Not so cheap now huh... I think it would be worth it as this beast is never leaving my sight. I may build a stainless travel box for it if I get the time. A+ shaver; C+ finish; D packaging; B- price. Bottom line, this is without a doubt the best safety razor I've ever used and I've used more than 50. Gillette, Schick, Merkur, Mühle, EJ, Feather, Gem, Ever Ready..
Too rich for me as well and considering the poor quality of the plating and scuffs it's really absurd. The problem is that they have zero competition. I had the money (tax refund) and it popped up for sale and I bit the bullet.
You don't think it would be worth it to address the quality issues with them so that (1) they're made aware that their customers are shelling out a lot of money on this perceived luxury product that should live up to its price tag; and (2) you deserve the best? They should already know that there is an expectation but sometimes companies have to be reminded.
Are there any other blades that fit in the Cobra? Feathers haven't worked for me at all so far. I would be pretty upset (I wouldn't cry though*) if I shelled out $170.00 for a razor and I couldn't use the only blades that fit. *I would totally cry.
$170 is a bit out of my reach as well, but judging from your post, it seems like money "VERY" well spent for you... I agree with Raven312 you should if possible take some pics of the flaws and send them with an email to Feather and see if they would rebate you some money,rather than replace the razor. In my mind since you seem to "REALLY" like this razor so much, if they would send you a rebate to offset all or most of the cost of replating the razor in rhodium that would be an "IDEAL" situation..But either way on finding your most "FAVORITE" razor......
From all that I've read (a lot!), the Feather Pros are the only blade. A lot of threads that I've read said the blade (itself) gets better with increased use and that they last much longer than DE blades. Of course, I don't know if that's true or not.
Hmmm, with only one blade it's a pretty spendy roll of the dice. I suppose you could resell it pretty easily if it didn't work though. Ether way I can't afford it...in my case it would be $170 plus shipping, plus divorce lawyer retainer.
SquidgyBum is not the first I've heard say that it is the best shave they've ever had. There must be something about this razor / blade combination. If I ever find a used one reasonably priced (HAH!) I might try to find out.
I've had one since December and love it. Its not about price, a razor trophy , being chic , joining in , for me its about how it shaves. It delivers the closest and easiest shave my coarse beard has gotten . For me its simply been the number one razor performer and makes shaving a no hassle pleasure and for that I'll pay even more than the price tag. Personally I found it hard to go back to slants , my Open combs and Merkurs , my permanent rotation. After using the Cobra ,they felt like toys by comparison to the Cobra's wide shaving head and simply did not measure up to the Cobra in closeness. The razor itself is still at $125, its original price, but the presentation box and Feather blades that come with the razor has pushed it to $17o. Although for veteran wet shavers the box is irrelevant it has to be admitted its the PERFECT gift presentation for someone and if you look at Classic Shaving's website some of their shaving sets and seasonal ads target audience is the person gift giving shaving gear. Except for the Feather Super Blade , all other Feather blades can be used in a Cobra , like wise for the other Japanese blade/Shavette manufacturer , Kai. Its unlikely production will ever stop on these blades because Feather produces them for their AC line which is not marketed to consumers but to the international barbering/ salon trade. Further ,the blades are more economical than might first appear, each blade is $1 or less but Cobra users report getting anywhere from 7 to 19 shaves from one blade which puts them at DE cost. I can't speak to the finish of the razor but if the OP has scuffing on the back of the head of the razor I think its because of the latch mechanism fitting to snugly and scratching the razor as the latch moves into place. I have no expertise but its sounds like a manufacturing defect and to me the razor should returned for a replacement. My razor doesn't have this issue .
As others have mentioned, I have also heard about this razors growing reputation as a great shaver. kinda looks like a Schick on steroids to me.
