Neal, glad to see your experience was so great!
when possible, would you please post the Gem video URL? I've got some GEMs myself, and look forward to info about shaving with them.
Thanks

This month's focus shown in the photo below. One week each. Hollow then wedge.

Henry Sears hollow
Aj Jordan hollow
Random wedge
Dubl duck wedge

Sorry to hear about your first shave with injectors. I just had my first and second shave, yesterday and today (both extremely nice shaves), but take all this with a grain of salt as they say...

1 - I've read where some say that the G series is a mid-level aggressive razor. I've started with a J series - with a mild reputation.
2 - I resisted using blades that came with the old razor and instead purchased a pack of new Schicks (made in china). Cleaned the razor also.
3 - Technique - Finding the angle.
- I started with the most shallow angle possible (the flat part of the razor, and the blade, are flat against my face.)
- As I take a slow, deliberate stroke (no pressure) I adjust the angle.
- When I hear the sound of "velcro separating" (as some describe) I hold that angle and continue my stroke.
4 - I back off the "Velcro angle" just slightly (I find it less smooth than I care for) and try to keep that sound throughout the shave. But for now, I'm always starting each stroke with the flat side to my face in order to center my focus for each stroke until the angle becomes habit.

It's working so far and hope this helps you.
Keep working it.

Excellent post and very sound advice.

Razor: Valet Auto Strop/ Red Tip
Blade: Feather
Brush: Frank Shave Best Badger, Rosewood Handle
Bowl: Knock Out Shave
Soap: Jack's Soap
A/S Fine Platinum
Day 1

First day of my SE September. Made it through with 2 passes and a Red Tip cleanup. Much to learn.

Here you go.

​

September 1, 2015

Single-Edge SEptember
Injectors and perhaps a GEM

During this first week, my first with injectors, I’ll look to familiarize myself with them by starting with one that has been described as mild and perhaps move to experiment with others along the aggressiveness spectrum. I’ll be doing SEs all month.

Hot Shower, Morning Shave
Soap: Proraso Green
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Schick Eversharp Type J3 Golden 500
Blade: Schick Injector (China) (2)
TSD Witch Hazel
Aftershave Cream: Proraso Green
After Shave: Proraso Green



Second shave with the J3 - "Golden 500.” Two-pass shave (WTG / ATG).

I played a bit with searching for the “best” angle. (A bit subjective, I believe.) @Bama Samurai suggested to use an angle that produces a “Velcro”-type sound. I did find that angle and it does sound as advertised! I eased back on it just a bit to try to smooth out the comfort level.

All in all, same result as yesterday, a beautiful shave. In my 4 months of traditional shaving, I do not know if I’ve experienced back-to-back shaves like this before.

If tomorrow’s shave is another repeat, I may move on to my next Schick - an I2 which is said to be very similar to the one I’m currently using.

Cheers!
RT

Day one, or evening one in my case.
Prep: Hot shower, Stirling Island Man soap
Pre shave: Bloom water from soap tub
Soap: Soap Commander Courage
Brush: Stirling synthetic Kong
Razor: Schick Injector L1
Blade: Schick (China)
Post shave: Stirling Lemon Chill WH/w Aloe
After Shave: Floid Blue
While I have used my J type injector several times, this is the first time I've used the L type since I had one back in the 80s. I put some hot water on the soap while I showered, not that it needs it, but I like to use the soapy water on my face while I make my lather. I made a mountain of lather quickly and easily. Soap Commander never fails to impress, lots of cushion, thick, and very slick. First pass WTG no problems. I found a good angle pretty quickly and focused on very light pressure. Not easy as the razor is so light. It weighs in at exactly 1 oz. Second pass XTG again no problems. Third pass ATG I thought I had nicked myself on the neck on this pass, but no blood or signs of a cut. Must have grabbed and tugged enough to feel like a nick. I did a rinse, some touch up buffing and J-hooking on the jawline and neck, a final rinse then used the alum block as a test. Almost zero feedback even on the place I thought I had nicked. Splashed on some Stirling WH&Aloe and cleaned up. Final results: very impressed almost perfect BBS. One small patch of roughness just below the left jaw, but otherwise perfect. A splash of the Blue and I'm ready for the next shave. I don't shave everyday but I'm going to try every other for the sake of this focus. Next up, same setup for the J1 on Thursday.

My shave for 2 September:

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threa...uss-se-safety-razors.46760/page-3#post-886758

I saw your Musgo stick in your pics. They make a super stick. Hope your month with the Injector goes well!!

So I started out September pretty well this morning. Woke up late. Slept through shave time. No biggy. Off I go. Found some of the Walgreens razors and some VDH deluxe soap. Sure why not. Got home finally and started to lather up. Gave the VDH soap a go just to try it. Tossed it down the drain. DRY! No big deal. Chiseled face to the rescue. This was my set up

Razor: r41
Blade: Walgreens rebrand of the Israeli blade I cannot remember
Soap: chiseled face ghost town barber
Brush: semogue 1250
AS: chiseled face ghost town barber AS

This soap rocks. 10 seconds over swirling on the puck and a good amount of water give me 6 passes worth of lather. No joke.
Ran through that like no one's business)(3 passes only). Took my time concentrating on riding the cap. This razor always asks a price for a close shave. Took a little sip under my nose and one tiny one on my neck. I blame the VDH but we'll see tomorrow. Caught the baby everywhere except the very bottom of my neck. The hair grows completely opposite there for about 3mm worth of space in a strip. Not worth worrying over generally but that is going to be part of the focus.

You know if you hang around long enough you just might do a rule! Jump in anytime!

September 2 Focus Shave 1

This month I am going try to get closer shaves will keeping the irritation low to none. I did 3 passes and it felt pretty close, probably DFS but I have a 'social' engagement after work so need better than that. I did some clean up on my neck with the Futur. I had two weepers so I was worried about the irritation, I applied the alum and nothing, no sting. Cool!! Just short of a BBS. First day is a success.

This was the fourth shave sine I last took the blade to the pasted strops. It felt I little 'rougher' so tonight I will take this months straights to the 12 stone and then through the pasted strops.

Proraso Pre Shave
Razorock Mudder Focker
Rooney Beehive 2 three band
Hart Steel 7/8 Merkur Futur
Dry Gulch horse hide paddle strop
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Alcolado Glaical AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
MDCI Chypre Palatin

Great information. I will work on it tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.

Jump in. The lather's fine.

If a man speaks and there's no woman around, is he still wrong?

Get in now! No official rules that you have to start 9/1.

I'm working on the proper injector technique this month also. I think the angle has to be VERY shallow. I let the head glide on my skin and then just slightly raise up until I hear feedback. Injectors seem to allow quite a steep, and very inefficient, angle. It sounds great, but does very little. Good luck, I'm with you!

Wow, great success! Nice razors, too. I look forward to your other observations and "instructions".

That is one awesome looking razor!