(This post was last modified: 09-03-2016, 03:22 PM by Pete123.)
grim,
I applaud you for trying the GEMs. Clearly they didn't work well for you. There is no doubt that the Feather is sharper and will cut better. Usually, the stropping will smooth out the GEM from the get go. It makes sense to me that the Feather requires fewer passes.
I have become a fan of blades that aren't quite as sharp. While I love my OneBlade, what I really want to to shave with are vintage razors that are older than I am. I was giving up. The double edge Feathers were smooth, but I kept seeing blood. Another DFS member sent me some Gillette Swedes. They are quality blades, though not as sharp as the Feathers. Along with better technique, that has changed everything.
I haven't shaved enough with with Feather 10's to know for sure, though it looks like being a little less sharp, the GEMs cause less blood.
This wet shaving game really is a YMMV situation. Fortunately, there are multiple options for all of us.