You've read the reviews. You've looked at the pics.

Rob, stay away from the Merkur blades unless your into ceasadh as we say in my native language!

Shaving is one big, giant heap of YMMV.

Razors, blade, brushes, soaps and splashes... Everybody has a preference and a different skin type. Face feel, scent families, mild or aggressive... It's all subjective.

On Feather blades, IMO, they are overrated. First, they're fairly expensive. Second, while they may be quite sharp, they're often harsh, at least on the first shave or two. Some people take to corking them first. Me? I have better things to do with my time and money. I use PolSilver blades and they're perfect out of the tuck to the last shave (I usually go with five shaves per blade). Too bad they're discontinued! But that's okay, I squirreled away nearly 1,000 of 'em.

Shaving is one big, giant heap of YMMV.
…
On Feather blades, IMO, they are overrated.  First, they're fairly expensive.  Second, while they may be quite sharp, they're often harsh, at least on the first shave or two.

A perfect example of YMMV right here — I love Feather blades, from the very first shave onward. I have found no other blade that quite compares to them (although I have tried many, and continue to give other blades a chance). To me, wet shaving would not be the same without them.

When it comes to letdowns, a while ago, I tried Kiss My Face shaving cream, and it did not live up to the expectations I had after reading about it on a few different forums.

My problem is that I get along swimmingly with most shaving products.    Two products that I simply couldn't abide -- that made me slightly sick to my stomach, in fact --  were Godrej Deluxe Lather shaving cream and Tabac AS. The exceptions that prove the rule...  

Shaving is one big, giant heap of YMMV.

Razors, blade, brushes, soaps and splashes...  Everybody has a preference and a different skin type.  Face feel, scent families, mild or aggressive...  It's all subjective.

On Feather blades, IMO, they are overrated.  First, they're fairly expensive.  Second, while they may be quite sharp, they're often harsh, at least on the first shave or two.  Some people take to corking them first.  Me?  I have better things to do with my time and money.  I use PolSilver blades and they're perfect out of the tuck to the last shave (I usually go with five shaves per blade).  Too bad they're discontinued!  But that's okay, I squirreled away nearly 1,000 of 'em.

Yep, I have about 300 as well. Guess I'll switch over to GSBs when I run out.