I think the Feather AS is a little less costly (still expensive though), whilst I am finding it very difficult tracking down a PILS for sale in the EU so as to avoid customs charges and the like.
You can get the Feather from several suppliers including Connaught and other UK vendors, the Pils is a little harder to track down there the site already linked and also this on <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thedifferentscent.de/index.php?manufacturers_id=131">http://www.thedifferentscent.de/index.p ... ers_id=131</a><!-- m --> I don't believe either of these retailers would attract import duties since they are EU based, however make sure you double check independently for yourself.
Aesthetically, they both look great. I am a little concerned the Feather AS may be too mild from what I've read thus far. I am a little put off the PILS having read a few reports of it's susceptibility to rust.
As always when you look for a product you tend to read the few negative or problematic ones, the majority of people don't report no faults. I have a Pils used it daily for some time and it has not rusted, I would return one that did rust but seek assurances from the vendor if this concerns you. My personal opinion is some of the rust reports are rust from the blade staining the steel and some of them may indeed genuine rust where QC has failed which I think the manufacturer should rectify. Without seeing it myself I would not like to give you assurance one way or another, so yes I have heard of the rust instances but not experienced it on my razor.
I current use a EJ DE89. This is a luxury purchase, with the intention of it lasting a lifetime.
The DE89 is a well finished and great razor, I own a DE 87 and this also should last many years (if not a lifetime), however I dropped mine when assembled and the head snapped off it. I don't know and won't test how my Stainless razors would fair in this scenario. Suffice to say with normal care and use almost all of the DE's available today will last a lifetime so longevity should really not be an issue with any DE.
Does anyone have any experience of either or both these razors? And should I be considering anything else?
Yes I currently own both the Feather and the Pils 101 (brushed finish). For a while I also had a IKON with the closed comb head and Bulldog handle. But the owner missed it terribly and I sold it back to him.
I'm approaching this from the angle of buy cheap, buy twice, so the initial higher cost is more justifiable
This links to the last part of your previous question (Should I be considering anything else?"). I think I get where you are coming from, you bought a nice DE89 and then think, "right one big splurge and buy the best and be done with it". If that is your thinking then unfortunately it is not that simple, every razor shaves different and the best or dearest may not be the best for you. Do you want to go top notch and want to know which one is the best? One sure fire way to find out (if you can stomach the cash hit) is to buy both and try them side by side then keep the one you like the most. sell the one you decide is worst; the loss should not be huge on the one you sell, if you keep the packaging and tags etc it should fetch somewhere between half and two thirds of original price on a BIN or more at auction but this is drastic measures and only worth doing of money is not a concern.
If you have decided to buy one of them (and it has to be one Feather or Pils) then ask yourself the question of what you want in this luxury purchase (the items Max listed above, long or short handle, heavy or light, smooth or knurled handle etc.) this would be a good way to narrow it down. My personal advice would be to try a few other razors before making the decision, what is your favourite now may change as your skill grows.
The shortest summary I could say is the Feather is mild the Pils is more aggressive but both could be an everyday razor.
Hope this helps.