May 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Love that E2. Yeaaaaa a not so sharp open blade is not so much fun.

 

Double DE blade Shake Sharp gives me the most enjoyable shave of any razor I own or have ever used. I can't yet tell if it's as close a shave as the Injecto-matic, will evaluate this evening.

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May 6, 2017- Mystery SE Blade

Razor: Gem 1912 (pass 1), Gillette Sterling Tech (pass 2)
Blade: Annie Beauty Supply #5107 SE (1), Dorco ST-301 (6)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Cream: KMF fragrance-free
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

Well, this was unexpected...

I didn't realize that today was Brian's disposable Kamisori day. So, inspired by several recent posts about Gem razors and in sympathy for Brian's team, I decided to pull out the 1912 and the mystery blade a couple of days early. The blade is a No-name, Chinese-made blade which is distributed by the Annie Beauty Supply Company as a hair shaper blade. This can not bode well for our hero.

This is not my first time with a dubious Chinese-made blade or with a non-Gem SE blade, so I was prepared for pretty much the worst. Needless to say, I was shocked to put razor to face and feel... nothing! Hmm.. smooth glide, loud feedback, only one problem... no reduction at all! When I put hand to face, it was as though the blade had done nothing but make the whiskers stand up straighter.

FWIW, I don't have a particularly heavy beard, especially if I shave every day, so this is pretty much an ineffective blade. I'm not sure how to class this on the "Bad/Chinese Bad/Tiger Bad" scale as those imply some attempt at reduction and the resulting pain/irritation.

To salvage the day, I pulled out the Sterling with the week-old ST-301 that I originally planned to use today. I ended up doing a quick ATG pass (my normal second pass) and ended up with a CCS and no blood or irritation. A good place to stop for the day.

 

Great looking razors.

 

Beautiful pictures, Mark!

 

Great picture! Sounds like a terrific shave. The Damaskeene looks lovely!

 

Some new open blade shavers today! Based on what I've read so far, I will have my barbers hone and pasted strop ready when I shave this afternoon.

 

Fantastic picture!

 

Sexto de Mayo SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Electric Sheep SS
Sayuri Disposable Kamisori
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Platinum AS

It sounds like my experience echoed a few others. After one pass with lots of tugging, pretty much no reduction occurred. I started and ATG pass which was worse and gave up. I pulled out the Schick G3 and finished for a CCS. It was fun to try, but not too successful. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Thanks Jim!

 

Thank you Jim .

 

Great filter effect. Sorry the shave didn't work out better. At least it ended well with the G3.

 

Did you glue to shim to the GEM blade or just place it under? I glued the two injector blades together and then put it under the spine and closed the lid. Haven't shaved with it yet but will a little later today.

 

Thanks, Clint! I would have pulled out a straight but I didn't plan ahead for a possible poor shave. It still worked out. Have a great day!

 

When I shimmed with an old Gem blade spine, I just placed it under the fresh blade's spine and closed the lid. No need to glue to hold things together. The shim worked great on a 1914 and 1924. The effect wasn't as pronounced with a 1912, because the shave with the modern blade was pretty decent to begin with, but it was still there.

 

I did exactly as you described.


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Lots of guys told me it would go better than I thought, Chris. They were right. Hoping your first straight experience goes as well as mine. Granted, it was one WTG pass with a not so close shave result, but I was happy to finish uninjured and learning something. Lot's of practice ahead if I want to get any good at it, but not nearly as scary and injurious as I thought.

 

Well, I managed to draw blood with the little lily razor......sort of.. like the others I lathered up and made a couple of strokes and nothing happened. I pulled the blade out of the holder and thought this looks like a slightly oversized half DE blade. I have some half DE blades for my shavette, so I pulled one out and loaded it into the holder. It moved around a little but I thought. "What's the worst that could happen?" I made a stroke and removed a nice swath of whiskers. I made another stroke and the blade slipped and opened up a nice inch long gash on my cheek. Took forever to get the bleeding to stop and afterwards I didn't even finish my shave. I did learn that at least sometimes size does matter.

 

The good news, Chris, is this puts you in the lead for the "Worst Shave with a Japanese Pain Stick" Shavy. Extra points for breaking new ground by swapping out the blade. The day is young, so who knows, but we should have a winner announced tomorrow. Good luck!

 

A 400 brush handle made by @twhite is coming my way. The handle comes with two ferrules, so he's sending me a 25 mm (to accept a 24 mm knot) and a 27 mm (to accept a 26 mm knot).

All my brushes, aside from the one I'm currently using, are shown below. I will need a larger doily once I receive my 30 Day Crew LE and my 400 brushes. I realize that I probably just lost my Man Card by telling you my brushes sit on a doily.

Anyway, I'm pumped about my new brush acquisitions! @Norcalnewb, let your Bride know I will eventually have 9 brushes (or 10 if you consider the 400 handle can be matched to two knots), and that you'll be ordering a custom CH2 immediately.

This will be my rotation:

Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic STF V2.0
JR #160 with Omega 10098 boar knot
Figured Maple 30 Day Crew LE handle with a 24 mm APShaveCo Tuxedo knot
Kent BK4 Silvertip
Kent BK8 Silvertip
Rudy Vey Custom Chubby Shavemac Two-band Silvertip
Simpson Chubby 2 Super
Semogue Owners Club Two-band Finest
twhite 400 Aluminum handle with 25 mm and 27 mm ferrules