Hiya, Rather than making this post a lot longer, I'll skip my shaving history using different razors and cartridges. September will be two years since shaving with anything other than a DE. What is that..........600-650 shaves or so? I've reached the point where I can get excellent close and comfortable shaves with a DE razor. By now it's a lot of muscle memory and nonchalance during my shave.......I have the hang of this 'hobby'. Paying attention is still always in my mind, but I'm past worrying about cutting myself. I'm just speaking about my favorite razor and blade)s) combo.........the 'go to' set up. Anyway, I've been thinking of using an injector again for quite a while now. Those things were very good, and nothing beats em for neck shaving. My memory of those is extremely positive............shaved with various types for a good six months or longer. From there, I started with a DE, and never looked back. Heh, well, I sorta peeked over my shoulder from time to time, but the interest wasn't enough to actually try one again. Sheeeesh, I bought one the other day from a shaving forum member, and received it this afternoon. Looks to be in nice shape(as advertised).......very shiny silver head and clean black handle. This is the 'L' type, which was one of my favorite models. I like the handle design and overall looks to this model, plus the head is the right design for my face. Yeah, not all injectors shave the same...........that is for positively certain......heh. Same thing with blades.........just like a DE kinda thingy. I'm gonna give it a spin sometime soon. Before stopping injector use, I had found the right blade for me. I sold most of em off looong ago( matter of fact, Gio bought some for himself), but I kept a few back............just in case........heh. Sadly, they haven't been made since the 70's, so they're tough to come by, which is a bite. It's ok, I understand the new Chinese blades are pretty darn good, so that's something to fall back on.....maybe. At one time a few years ago, I had 360 of these NOS blades....talk about a hoarder. Yeah, I can stockpile with the best of em. Gone now, with no seller's remorse.....maybe just a tiny bit. Anyway, I fully expect to get great shaves with this plastic thing. It should take me less time than my fatboy, with almost as close a shave on my face. I also look forward to really doing a clean up on my neck, which is the worst thing to deal with for me. That's what I remember liking the most about the injector.......a BBS neck. The shave itself should be as comfortable as the fatboy. Heh, well, I hope my memory is correct. I confess to wanting to try a feather in this thing. That's also part of the reason I'm trying the Schick again. Since I use those regularly in my DE, I think the sharpness won't be a problem. What IS a pain is having to cut those blades to fit. Yeah, that part doesn't appeal to me. Who knows if I'll actually get around to futzing with that whole deal. Anyone interested in finding out how that works..........look for posts in various forums. I'll just say these are the injector blades using for the Feather straight razor, and not the two sided ones for a DE. It's most often called a Featherjector, if that helps. So we'll see what happens. Should be a nice change of pace. Might take a 1-2 shaves to figure it out again, but it should be pretty easy to fall back into things. Some of these injector/blade combos were wonderful for me at the time, and it'll be interesting to do a comparison between the two razors. Ok, that will do it, Martin
Good for you Martin! I go back and forth between my Injectors and DE's without any problems whatsoever. I found the type L's, Schick Grip and Schick Stick were not for me, but everything else works just great. I used to think of them as inferior to DE's, but not anymore. With good blades they can give as good a shave as I've ever had.
Hi Chris, how you doin, Yeah, don't think you didn't tempt me with that last injector sale you have going.......heh. You have some of my favorites beiing offered up. I was actually sorta surprised I bought this thing at all, but you know how that goes.......... I remember you not being that impressed with the blades I'd sent you long ago. Heh, that YMMV thingy once again, since they worked great for me. I still have a few to play with in this 'L' type once again. Oh........did I forget to mention I picked up another injector as well? Sigh..........well I did. I blame SMF for this, since the deal was with a member there.........heh. Those guys are real enablers, unlike the gentle men and women here. Anyway, this is the adjustable model........my favorite of em all. Couldn't resist, even though I bought the 'L' just a day earlier. This was a trade though, which is how I justified it! No cash changed hands, which was good. I should be getting that in the mail sometime this week, with any luck. Sheeesh, it never seems to end. Thanks for the encouraging post Chris. Martin
Keep us posted Martin. When it comes to injectors, it has to be an E or G type for me, none of the newer types give me a decent shave. Sorry I'm out of the older ones, I gave my extra away, or I would send you one. If you are interested in shaving with and E or G, PM me and I'll send you one of mine to use for a couple of weeks.
Hiya Bill, Man......I thought you and I were buddies. My first ever injector was a 'G' type, and it was memorable learning to use it. That razor, coupled with a fair blade, made for some of the worst shaves of my life......heh. Used it for 2 weeks and didn't try another injector for months afterwards. Talk about razor burn and irritation...........whew doggies! I have to say, your post made me laugh a little. You and I are total opposites when it comes to injectors of choice. Believe me, I appreciate the thought behind your offering me one of yours.........very generous of you. Heh, I just don't think I'd survive another round with one of those little bakelite bloodsuckers........ Thanks though, and nice to do a little typing at you, Martin
Very timely post sir! I have a big collectibles show to go to on Saturday. I must admit the only thing on my mind was, well, anything but a Schick!! However, I have only ever used a type E bakelite model. I actually really like them - give great close shaves and are simplicity itself. I wouldn't have thought about keeping my eyes peeled for an L or an adjustable, or...... I am off to do some homework and refresh my tired old brain of the various models, and then first thing Saturday morning........ 'They're off'!!! Thanx!!
Hiya, Well, I had my third shave with the adjustable this morning, so maybe I'll comment on the results in general. Heh, I LOVE this silly thing! I'll tell you, if this 'hobby' was only about finding the perfect shaving set up, this one could easily be mine. It's just as good as I remember it being, and that's after using a DE for quite a while now. The three shaves have been excellent, and this third one was the best yet. Extremely comfortable shave, and also really close......smooth as my fatboy/Iridium combo. This injector system is as easy to use as my M3, but a lot more fun. Oh, I had the razor set on #4. I didn't realize how different it is using a stiffer blade, presented in a different manner. The sound isn't the same, plus it actually feels unlike a DE blade on my face. There's no pulling, but there is a little more resistance during my stroke. It's not a bad feeling...just different than a DE. The main thing is that it's extremely comfortable to use. Man, it was no problem adjusting to have to bear down with this razor. Yeah, they weigh very little, so help along the way is needed in spots. I fell right back into the good technique learned years ago, and razor burn isn't an issue at all. Seriously, I was using this thing as if there wasn't a blade in it.......very forgiving even with plenty of pressure on the handle. My face feels great afterwards..no irritation at all. My face is extremely smooth as well. Not only that, my neck has never been shaved any better..........that part I knew in advance. The small profile head is a lot easier to maneuver around than my DE, and the hard to reach shaving spots are no problemo. This was a very smart purchase for me. I would recommend this or other later model injectors as another very fun alternative. I'm sure there's a learning curve, but I guess I'd gone through it long ago and it just sorta stuck.....heh. Maybe this will push one or two members off the injector fence......... Martin
Great review Martin! You make it seem like a natural thing to just go out and pick up an M. Thanx!! (The collectibles show was a bust. Just a few rusty old things here and there and the odd overpriced stropper. Mind you, I picked up a 1939 Pinocchio Movie mask promoting the Disney movie with Gillette advertising on it. Promoting a close shave to the children!! Well, they have all probably got 60 years of shaving in by now! Bet they use Gillette too! Cool mask, it is of the cat Figaro. Great shape - neat item. No razors though :sad023)
I'm the lucky recipient of Bill's extra E - got it in a PIF along with some other great stuff. It's the bomb. Heading in to use it right now.
Yep, it's an awesome razor! I love the sound and the feel. It's a lot lighter than any DE I use, so I have to engage the brain when shaving, but it gives a great shave! I'm hooked on injectors once again...
Yeah - I try not to use injectors too often - for fear I will admit to myself that they really do give a great shave. Not sure why, but somehow it feels like I'm cheating on my other razors when I use one!!! :ashamed001 Whats with that anyway??
Hiya, Heh, yeah, I know the feeling about the 'cheating' part. This saucy little injector was my first 'affair' with a non DE razor in almost two years, but I admit to thinking about getting back together for months. There were those great past memories of easy and close shaves, with a SMOOTH neck. Good as my DE technique and tools are, nothing beats an injector for that part of my shave. Very effective in taming those crop circle whisker patterns from my jawline down. Anyway, I'm sure I'll return to my beloved DE types......sometime. This injector is too much fun to put down at the moment. Heh, I'm sure it's just a phase......... Martin Oh, of course I keep the two versions in separate rooms...no sense in asking for trouble.
Hiya, See now, I read posts from members who's opinions I value.......their posts about how the older bakelite versions work great! Heh, it's always been like this in all the forums............those 'E' and 'G' types are really popular and effective for many shavers. I really wish I could make em work for me, but I can't. Heh, I'm both a little envious and happy for y'all who love these types. Something for everyone, Martin
Hiya, Yeah, that sound is a kick, at least in the injectors with the newer heads. Can't remember what the older ones sound like, but it's probably similar. When using a DE, the cutting sound is crisper, with more definition. There's more of a sensation of hearing individual whiskers being cut. The pitch is higher also. The injector has more of a low 'rustling' sound to it.......a muted chorus of whiskers being effectively whacked as a group. Yeah, it doesn't sound so much like cutting.......more like 'erasing', if that makes sense. It's not a bad sound, just different. One problem with injectors is figuring out the pressure. Yeah, weighing almost nothing means pressure is an important part of the learning curve. Takes a little getting used to for many people.... unlearning DE traits. Anyway Tom, congrats on your previous addiction deciding to visit once again.......... Martin
Hiya, Well, today was my fourth and best shave to date. Tomorrow I'll change to a Chinese Schick blade, and I'm optimistic about those. I'm glad to have revisited this type of shaving. It's been interesting, especially since learning a fair bit about what a good DE shave means. First time using injectors years ago, I had no DE reference point to judge things. It seems both older and newer versions have their fans, so they may each be worth a look. I know that for a member who hasn't used a DE yet, the injector is a great way to sorta ease into things. It's the route I took long ago, and made the DE transition a snap. Yeah, these are pretty darn good razors. I'm even more impressed using em now than years ago. Martin
