I bought feather blades with my razor and absolutely love them. Only problem is they cost 4x more. Does anyone know of a blade that's similar or close for less? Or should I bite the bullet and spend $40 on 100?
I can get 100 Astra SP for around $17CAN. I don't know if they compare to feathers but they're a smooth shaver and I can get aboud 5 shaves from each. How many do you get out of Feathers?
I get about 3-4 days per it seems but I'm on my last two of pack. I love em though super sharp and no irritation.
You'll probably see this advice elsewhere but maybe you should get a sampler pack of blades and try some different blades out. I've never tried feathers but I can't imagine they could be THAT much better than some of the less expensive blades out there. SP's get a lot of love and the price is less than half. Imagine, 50% saving!!
Feathers are that much better. I've found that Super Iridium, Astras, and Sputnik comes close. I've read that the elusive Kai DE blades, also made in Japan, are their equal, though just as expensive.
Hmm I wonder if they have a sample pack somewhere with those four lol. And how does the Wilkinson sword blade stack up against them? In your opinion
+1...maybe Astras cost 50% less, but they are 50% less sharp too......YMMV...course that could be a good thing if Feathers are too sharp or leave your skin too irritated... But if you want a similar experience...I hear the Kai's are similar but as PoM said, just as expensive...The Super Iridiums, and Polsivers I've heard are the next step down but smoother...of course with the YMMV factor all this is rhetoric... From my personal experience, I believe the Perma-Sharp Supers are the next step down towards being more smooth, but still wicked sharp....although not cheap and I can't get more than 3 shaves. They are 3 Grand Shaves though... So you need a sampler...but you might want to put together your own sampler so you don't waste your time on blades you know aren't in the same style as the Feathers...I'd say be sure to check: Super Iridium, Polsilver, Perma-SharpSuper, Gillette 7 o'clock yellows... Those are the first that come to my mind...although have you ever tried a completely different type blade...alot of cats 'round here like the Astras and they are very inexpensive... Check out Gary's Blade Treatise...:https://sites.google.com/site/gdcarrington1/home/de-blade-challenge-ii
If you've got a Sally Beauty Supply around, I found a 5-pack of Personna Super Stainless blades (which is the same as the "Blue Lab") for $2.49. Not a great price but ok if you just want to try them. You can find them for about $13 per 100 online. Those blades seem to be some of the sharpest I've tried but I haven't tried Feathers yet so can't tell you how they compare. If you really like the Feathers and they're working for you, why not just but 100 though. $40 may be a little more than some of the blades out there but still probably 1/10 the price of some carts?
Ditto on getting a blade sampler pack, I've found a sampler pack an invaluable help in finding blades that work for me. I've used Feathers and while they may well be the "SHARPEST" blade out there, I find them overly harsh as well as expensive!! Here's some blades I've tried and liked, please remember "YMMV" Astra SP-Best price around, consistantly good shave. BlueBirds-Good but not quite as good as Astra SP's and cost more. PolSilver Super Iridiums Gillette 7 O'clocks Yellow,Green and Black The Astra SP's are the "BEST" bang for the buck I.M.O. The Gillette 7's and Super Iridiums are "SUPER" nice blades, as sharp as, but much smoother than Feather I.M.O., only problem is your into Feather territory price wise!!
I have tried others and do not find anything that can really compare to a Feather. And while they are more expensive, if bought in bulk, they amount to 40 cents a blade. I can live with that.
I really like Feathers Astras are not far behined. I have been paying $30 per 100 wih free shipping at http://www.doubleedgeshavingplace.com/category/double_edge_blades I have no financial interest in this web site.
Feathers are the best IMO I have used merkur/astra/shark and I swear by the Feather and use it every other day. THEY ARE SO CHEEP ON EBAY!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-FEATHER...520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5897065c58 200 blades 40 bucks. Just gotta know where to shop. I buy all mine there.
I picked up 100 from that outfit when I purchased the Simpson. I'm pretty sure they're the real McCoy. Thirty cents a blade is good for Feathers. I don't use the Feathers exclusively anymore. I use the less expensive Astras and med-preps (Personna) just as often. I'm really liking the med-preps of late.
There's no comparison. I've found that Wilkinson's (for me) are a very middle of the road blade. Average sharpness, average smoothness, decent lifespan. Not my go to blade, but if there was nothing else, I wouldn't complain. I used them for years.
Feather was my blade of choice for a very long time. I still really like them but have found I get along with Personna Med Peps almost as well (unfortunately not overly cheap). I did just pick up 100 of the blue labs for $12 and am giving one of those a shot tomorrow. I have tried the KIA and IMHO they were not very good. Also had good luck with 7 O'Clock yellows and Blacks (Russian).
