Vince is this your first go with Gem Razors? If so it does take some time to become proficient with them, especially the ATG pass.

Thanks very much Clint.

Great set up Doug!

Thanks very much.

I'm liking the way you think Clint!...giving me a cop-out just when I need one. Thanks brother!

Seriously, thanks. I get exactly what you're saying.
My lone experience with Gems was this same month last year - SE SEptember, when I tried all of these about once each as I recall.

EverReady Shovelhead, GEM 1912, Featherweight, Pushbutton, G-Bar, Micromatic "Bullet Tip" and "Clog Pruf"

But that was also the month I started with Injectors - which lead to me using the injectors almost exclusively ever since.

So yeah, I really haven't taken the time with them that I need to, which is why I set out this month to not touch the injectors and focus on the Gems. I wanted to take a week with each of the 1912, Damaskeene and the Shovelhead and perhaps another Gem.

So I new it would be like starting all over again with the learning curve on them. But from the reviews by you and a bunch of other shavers moves me to want to spend time with them. A good thing of course.

Maybe give the Featherweight a try next. I found it easier to master than the others. First the handle and weight is very similar to many of the injectors you've used. So that just leaves you mastering the angle. You are on the right track with the angle it just takes some practice. Also, the Featherweight is pretty tame so you won't have to worry about a bad bite if you mess up.

I also found the Damaskeene which I will be using this weekend to be much smoother and easier to use than my 1912. I know they are similar but they do shave different. At least to me.

Just stay with it. I am sure that one of the Gem razors you have lined up will click with you and you'll finish the month in good fashion.

Excellent advice Clint, thank you.
I was going to try the Damaskeene next as I've heard so many good things about it along the same lines that you've described. But as I recall from last year, the Featherweight did seem to be the easiest of the ones I tried back then so I'll break it out tomorrow with a new PTFE blade.

Thank you sir, great stuff!

Off focus but joining in the SE fun

Shick adjustable today. It was an easy no fuss quick shave with good results. I can see why people like them. I am not a cart basher but they always gave me lots of irritation and ingrown hairs. I understand carts are quick and no fuss but so an injector but without the irritation and ingrown hairs for me.

Tomorrow's shave should definitely be interesting.

Before this morning's shave, I looked at my FatBoy @2 and pre-war Tech side by side, both with a generic Personna loaded. The Tech looked like a more aggressive razor. OTOH, this evening I compared the FB@2 to the 60's SS that I will be using tomorrow and the differences in gap and angle seemed a lot smaller.

Shave of the night...have a good one gents.

I've only used a couple of the Gems and they are a different animal, at least in my book. Great shaves but keeping them under control and not ending with burning fire irritation has been my biggest challenge. I'm sure I'll load one up before SEptember ends.

Oh my, now we're really talking Shenanigans! Aaack!!!

I noticed the same with the Tech and Slim. You can see the greater exposure on the Tech with the naked eye. The SS is a bit harder to see but it does look more open than the Slim. Gotta be something in the head unless the SS fails tomorrow.

I feel my Schick Type M coming on for the weekend. The numbers are off the dial but I can figure out where the settings are. Takes me back to my earliest shave with that one.

Thanks very much my friend.

SEptember 8 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Queen Charlotte Fougere
Gem Micromatic Bullet Tip
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic AS

I had a great shave this morning. It has been a long time since I have used this razor, and I loaded it with a blade that has at least 15 shaves on it (at some point I will have to go back and count). The result was a nice, easy DFS on two passes. I just barely missed the baby, but I didn't chase it either. I really enjoy the Queen Charlotte soap. The scent is fantastic and the performance matches. I topped off with a little Essence of Man, and I am ready for this day to begin. I hope everyone has a great day!

September 8, 2016
Cobra Classic
Feather Pro (6)
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
Route 66 Perfect Storm
Witch Hazel
Myrsol F/Extra

​

I decided to mix things up a little this morning. I went with a 3 pass shave but skipped the WTG pass and went XTG, ATG and XTG. With very minimal touch ups ending in a near BBS. I have this 1 spot on my bottom right neck that usually foils my attempts at the perfect BBS. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra. I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

SOTD September 8, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 injector
Brush: Artisan badger
Lather: Mama Bear Joop Type
Post: Witch hazel splash, Barbasol Pacific Rush, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

The G1 performs well again! I'm getting great shaves with this razor. I need to get to my other SEs at some point but am feeling I'll miss the G1 when that happens.

Nice shave this morning with Mama Bear's Joop Type soap. It's a dupe of Joop! cologne (which I'm unfamiliar with) and has a nice, fairly light cologne scent. It matched well with the Pacific Rush of Barbasol. It's not the slickest soap out there but I also don't want to pass too many judgments after only one use. It provided a really nice shave so I'm happy with Mama Bear's so far!

Have a great day!

Gem Bullet Tip razor
Gem Stainless blade
RazoRock Plissoft brush
Palmolive Mentholated SC
Osage Rub/Witch Hazel w/aloe
Skin Bracer A/S w/added menthol

Brrrr....nice frigid shave this morning and I liked it. The Bullet Tip is a milder razor and quite enjoyable. A very nice shave and I'm ready to go. Now go enjoy your day folks.