January 14, 2019

Razor: Chinese Super Gillette Blue Blades razor
Blade: Chinese Super Gillette Blue Blade (1)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Stirling Sheep
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

Disclaimer: Shaving is an activity whose relative success or failure is affected by numerous variables, many of which are personal to the shaver himself. As a result, YMMV is always a watchword, particularly when emulating someone else's SOTD.

Late last evening, I read @NCoxSTL's report of his experiences with the Super Gillette Blue Blade razor and was disappointed that he hadn't had a better experience. Personally, I've liked my experiences with the one I have but realized that I may have never used the complete setup of blade and razor as packaged. Fortunately, I had purchased an extra one for myself at the same time as I bought the one that I sent to Neal. This morning's shave used that razor and its included blade.

My initial impression was that while I did find the razor to be light, I didn't think it was egregiously so. Rather, the weight distribution and long handle reminded me more of something like a J1 Injector or a Trac-II. What seemed to be giving me more issue was a lack of blade feel and issues with finding and keeping the optimum angle. I suspect that the SGBB is a fairly "mild" blade in terms of blade feel and that the razor shows its Tech heritage by being similarly mild. I didn't have any problems with my normal two-pass routine, however, and got my expected results with no issues and no noise from the Alum. I will admit to doing possibly a bit more buffing than usual in a couple of tough spots, but I was working with three-days growth.

As I said, YMMV.

I'm curious to see a side-by-side of the SGBB razor and the Rapira that causes Neal so much trouble. A possible MAYhem idea might be to see if mixing and matching pieces might reveal what the real issue is. Heck, I may have to break down and pick up one of the Rapira razors myself.

Today's shave: The bullet tip!
This ine doesn't seem to have the same blade gap as the others in the series.

SOTD January 14th


Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
EDRIO #7 RazoRock Game Changer .84
Gillette Nacet
Epsilon white horse (26mm, Frigate Class)
Stirling Green Soap and AS
Stirling Glacial Unscented PSB

Happy Monday morning! Awesome shave this morning compliments of the Game Changer/Nacet combo and unbeatable Stirling Lather. First time using Stirling Green, very nice! The opening has bright fougere and citrus notes and it dries down to a very classy closing of moss, musk, and lavender. Three passes to a BBS finish. Have a great day my friends!

Nice shot, Andrew! Stirling Green is a terrific scent. I bought some bath bars in that scent just last night.

You are the Tech Master, John! No surprise you got a great shave from a Tech(ish) razor! More surprisingly is that the blades are good. Though I looked them up and at $25/100 I doubt they are that good!

Nice shot, Aaron!

Thank you, Perry!

Excellent recap John.


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Great shave lineup Aaron.


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Wonderful photo and lineup Andrew.


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Thank you, Clint!

That's a Sterling shave right there !
Hahahahahahaha I'm so funny!

I would agree wholeheartedly that finding and keeping the angle is a bit of a challenge with that setup. You had asked last night if the two razors are interchangeable at all and I will play with that later today, just to see if you can change heads or mix and match base plates and caps. Definitely some more testing possibilities there. I do appreciate your disclaimer because we do need to remember that what works perfectly for one may be a disaster for another. Also, as I have tended to prefer the more aggressive razors (Fatip, Adjustables on high settings, Gillette Old Type etc.) going to a mild razor isn't always a seamless transition. I'm glad you followed me up with your own trial, though, as it does add some interesting thoughts and ideas!

I suspect that they are Chinese domestic market blades and don't seem to have a lot of exporters. There was also a problem a while ago with counterfeits showing up on sites like DX.com.

It seems to be like finding a cheap source for Rubie Plus blades.

Thanks and I'm curious to see your comparison. Based on some of the photos that you've posted of the Rapira, I've wondered if there wasn't something going on with the cap or handle keeping it from full tightness.

I see your point on aggressive razors. I tend to the milder end with, for instance, my Fatboy never going above 5. To me, the GSBB is another Tech or, at least, a decently made clone. I know from experience that the cap will work nicely with a last-generation Tech baseplate.

Broke 30 day rule on using single razor.
Apologies to theirs issard, original 30 day choice.
I just re scaled a vintage Genco “head barber” and re honed it, I feel like it is my best hone job to date and couldn’t resist.

30 day rule deity ... forgive me...

unfortunately it was the best shave I have had (in my limited experience)

That’s great to hear that your getting started on the path to the dark side. The angle you use is different from each persons face and beard type you may need to use a steeper angle. Facial prep is very important, make a wet slick lather, strop, re-lather, and then start shaving. You may need to relather during a pass if it starts drying out. Check the blade on your arm hair to see if it is still cutting the hair easily, if it is then the edge is still good. Here’s some pics of how I hold the razor for each pass.

With the grain
I I use both of these next ways for both across and against the grain, depending on where I’m shaving
Cheeks, jawline, and lower neck
Upper neck

I'll query Cartel HQ. The Boss has had opportunities to try it on more subjects than I. Judging from the print format and age of the paper I'm guessing it's a little out of date.

Wow I had to work doing snow removal all weekend, and come back to find I’m 661 posts behind, but I did see one of the cheapest options for a snow plow in action, I couldn’t believe it was working. Very creative too. I definitely admired their ingenuity.

Looks like something we would do in Alabama if we had the snow.