Feather Popular DE Razor Review: My Best Double-Edge Shave

Shaving razor review: My first double-edge (DE) shave, with a razor called the Van Der Hagen, was brutal. Still, I was willing to give DE another shot to see whether the problem was the razor or the blades. What led me to the Feather Popular was all the great reviews of its big brother, the Feather All Stainless Steel Double-Edge Razor (Model AS-D2). I’m not willing to drop over $150 on any DE razor until I find one that works for me, so I’m sticking to the under-$75 range for now.

Manufacturer page: Feather safety razors

My 8-shave review

Shave #1: This was a way better shave than my Van Der Hagen! The sides of my face got some razor burn, but it didn’t tear me up like my first DE experience. With this razor, I can tell you there’s still hope for DE shaving in my life.

Shave #2: I tried to be a little gentler with how I positioned the razor on my face. Correcting the angle did work better, but I still had some razor burn at the end. All in all, I could shave with this razor as long as I’m willing to live with a few consequences.

Shave #3: After shaving with this razor today, someone at work said my cheeks looked a little flushed. I guess they thought I wasn’t feeling well or had a sunburn… Nope, I just shaved with my Feather! It’s a really good shave if you expect a layer of top skin to go with it. No matter what I try, I still get razor burn.

Shave #4: Okay, let’s pull out all the stops. That means a full prep: shower and face wash, a gentle exfoliation, then beard oil. Next, pre-shave gel and Cremo shaving cream. No need to spread it around with my hand when I have my trusty badger brush. Pre-shave perfection has arrived… here comes the razor.

Looks great this time! Wait, do I still see a little red razor burn after I wipe off the extra shaving cream? Dang it! Why does this happen? The pre-shave routine really did help with the razor burn, but it didn’t get rid of it completely.

Shave #5: I know I said I’d go all the way to eight shaves, but I’m really questioning why. It takes nothing for me to bring out good old trusty Gillette Fusion and get a comfortable, great-looking shave.

Shave #6: Heading into this shave, I was feeling a little used, but I kept going anyway. Same outcome: still some razor burn. No matter how detailed my pre-shave routine is, I can’t completely get rid of it. Why? Why? Why?

Shave #7: How do I feel about doing this a 7th time? I had a Matrix moment and reflected on how things are in the real world. The real world isn’t pretty, and the fake world looks better, but is it? If the real world is my face with a Gillette razor raking over it, then why do I crave a fantasy world where DE razors give the perfect shave? I’m sure some readers are in the opposite boat, but the road I know is that DE razors have never treated me well. So why do I keep trying to make something work that just doesn’t? Maybe I’m trying to connect with the past, like the good old days of DE shaving (1880 to 1960), or a relative who used a DE razor. I can’t help but think that relative would have traded his Gillette double-edge safety razor for my Gillette Fusion in a heartbeat.

Shave #8: I lost hope. Gillette Fusion is still number one. My quest will always be to find a better razor, but for my face, at least for now, there is none better.

My overall assessment

This is by far the best DE shave I’ve ever had. It’s not quite baby-butt smooth (BBS), but there were no nicks or cuts and only a small amount of razor burn if you prep really well, and that usually goes away in less than three hours. I’d say this razor is great for starting out in DE shaving if you have sensitive skin like me!