Post by Alan on Aug 26, 2012 7:58:37 GMT -6
After reading about the Featherweight (FW) and HFT (GB) in a couple of posts here I thought I’d like to try them. Due to their mild reputations and handle designs I never bothered with them before as I really didn’t think I’d like them. Fuzzy was good enough to loan me one of each, so for the last week and a half I’ve only been using these two razors. My results are pretty basic. If you want to see all the specific statistics on these two razors check out the back to back reviews done by the two Brians, HT, and others. They cover everything! My results just pertain to how they shave for me.
The Method
I alternated each razor on a daily basis. I used Treet CS blades three days in a row, GEM SS blades three days in a row, and then back to Treets. For half the days I used Vulfix cream then I used Williams soap for the remainder. Aftershave used the whole time was Stetson, high alcohol so if I had irritation I would have known it.
GB
Always thought this would be an awkward razor to hold due to the drastic characteristics of the flipper on the end of the oval shaped handle. Once I shaved with it I was very surprised; I found that it fit me perfectly. The weight and balance of the HFT was great also. It is very maneuverable. I got great shaves with it without having to do repeat passes. It was very forgiving and I did not experience any irritation or razor burn.
FW
The handle on this one always turned me off in the past. I couldn’t see how it could be easy to hold. I figured you’d have to put it down to change your grip. Another big surprise, it worked well for me. Although it weighs nothing, it’s balanced. Its one of the most maneuverable razors I have used. Once again, I got great shaves without repeat passes. It was very forgiving with no irritation or razor burn. Due to the great balance I did not have a tendency to press down on it.
Summary
I always figured these razors were just something cheap thrown out there at the twilight of the SE era to get some last sales away from the more expensive TTOs and adjustables. Boy, was I wrong. These things were well made. I’m also thinking some thought and research went into the handle designs. As far as mildness goes, yes they are mild, but mild in comparison to other SEs. A person used to a SuperSpeed or other mild DE best be careful when first using these.
My Choice
They are both good razors. I could be happy with either. I liked the GB. If there was no such thing as a Micromatic it would be my daily razor. I really, really liked the FW. It’s a totally different SE experience, almost like using an injector. It’s the one I will be getting.
Note
In one of the two Brian’s reviews a picture is shown of an FW with the brass plate on the bottom of the handle. We talked about this and I think we surmised that the earlier ones had the brass butt plate, and that it was deleted on the newer ones as a cost saving. Anyway, in the pictures the heads on both the FW and GB look to be the same. The FW that Fuzzy loaned me does not have the butt plate. If you hold it next to the GB you can clearly see that the back of the top of the head on the FW is not as high as the GB, but you folks probably knew that.
Anyway thanks to all who have provided answers to my questions and special thanks to Fuzzy for the loan. I will be packing up the contestants and sending them home to LA later today.
Alan
The Method
I alternated each razor on a daily basis. I used Treet CS blades three days in a row, GEM SS blades three days in a row, and then back to Treets. For half the days I used Vulfix cream then I used Williams soap for the remainder. Aftershave used the whole time was Stetson, high alcohol so if I had irritation I would have known it.
GB
Always thought this would be an awkward razor to hold due to the drastic characteristics of the flipper on the end of the oval shaped handle. Once I shaved with it I was very surprised; I found that it fit me perfectly. The weight and balance of the HFT was great also. It is very maneuverable. I got great shaves with it without having to do repeat passes. It was very forgiving and I did not experience any irritation or razor burn.
FW
The handle on this one always turned me off in the past. I couldn’t see how it could be easy to hold. I figured you’d have to put it down to change your grip. Another big surprise, it worked well for me. Although it weighs nothing, it’s balanced. Its one of the most maneuverable razors I have used. Once again, I got great shaves without repeat passes. It was very forgiving with no irritation or razor burn. Due to the great balance I did not have a tendency to press down on it.
Summary
I always figured these razors were just something cheap thrown out there at the twilight of the SE era to get some last sales away from the more expensive TTOs and adjustables. Boy, was I wrong. These things were well made. I’m also thinking some thought and research went into the handle designs. As far as mildness goes, yes they are mild, but mild in comparison to other SEs. A person used to a SuperSpeed or other mild DE best be careful when first using these.
My Choice
They are both good razors. I could be happy with either. I liked the GB. If there was no such thing as a Micromatic it would be my daily razor. I really, really liked the FW. It’s a totally different SE experience, almost like using an injector. It’s the one I will be getting.
Note
In one of the two Brian’s reviews a picture is shown of an FW with the brass plate on the bottom of the handle. We talked about this and I think we surmised that the earlier ones had the brass butt plate, and that it was deleted on the newer ones as a cost saving. Anyway, in the pictures the heads on both the FW and GB look to be the same. The FW that Fuzzy loaned me does not have the butt plate. If you hold it next to the GB you can clearly see that the back of the top of the head on the FW is not as high as the GB, but you folks probably knew that.
Anyway thanks to all who have provided answers to my questions and special thanks to Fuzzy for the loan. I will be packing up the contestants and sending them home to LA later today.
Alan