First shave. PAA Starling GEM razor.....

The following is a review I saw on Facebook today. Many of the comments under this post noted that the main issue with this razor is that unlike any of the other GEM razor designs, this one leaves the corners of the blade exposed, leading to... 'issues.'

Review by Kier DeMars on Facebook:

"Ok, I'm back with a review of the new Starling v3 from PAA. This may be a long one, there's a lot to say to be thorough. This is by far the most challenging razor and review I have ever done. Many of you (and myself) have been wondering why we haven't seen reviews of this razor, weeks after it's release. Well, I can tell you why. It's embarrassing to admit how much blood is shed.

I am pretty experienced with both gem style and de razors. I have been at this for 5 years or so now, I think going on 6.. I don't really have any issues anymore for the most part. My technique is good enough that almost any blade works for me, as well as most razors. I rarely got cuts or bad shaves in the beginning, let alone now. The issue with this razor is the removal of the blade holding tabs. Leaving the corners of the blade dangerously exposed. I don't mean be careful, they may nick you.. I mean they WILL cut you. And if you aren't paying attention and using a LIGHT hand, you can SERIOUSLY injure yourself. I cannot be clear enough about this. Blindfolded straight razor shaves would be 1000X safer than this.

There is a way to use it though. This is tricky for me to explain, I am going to include some simple drawings in the pictures to try to convey what I mean.

Basically, you have to only use the razor in directions that the skin petruding, not concave. So, for me, I only shave my neck and cheeks. My neck pattern is mostly going from my left ear to my right, side to side. So wtg and atg passes on my neck are side to side. Xtg passes are up and down. I tried to go with the grain, meaning trying to go side to side in the corner of my neck, almost put me in the hospital. My skin was super soft and wet from a good scrub with the cube, and nice rich lather.. made it easy to open an inch long 1/8 inch deep slice i had to seal back up. I kept going.. and it happened more. Not like the first one.

The second shave I did with it I used a vintage gem blade. The corners are a little less obtrusive, and I didn't do any wtg or atg passes this time. Just up and down on the neck and cheeks. This worked well. I discovered that this thing is so efficient, I don't need those passes anyway! This thing takes off more hair in one xtg pass than 2 passes usually do. So, this shave wasn't bad, but I want to be able to go atg.

Last night, I gave it a third go, back to a new gem blade this time. I did go atg at the end, resulting in a few nicks from the corners. Not nearly as bad, but I was being as careful as possible. I dont think it would be possible for me to shave any concave areas without doing so, no matter how much I use it.

Let's end this on a positive note... aside from the blade corners, this thing is perfect. The weight, the handle, the rounded head, well balanced, very well made, GORGEOUS... it's all there. This thing gives a new meaning to using light pressure, it really does the work. Lighter, even lighter, a little lighter.. there ya go. This is a great razor to get a damn fine shave in one quick pass. Every pass with it, is 2 with most others. If you are lucky to have your hair pattern to go up and down, you can probably get a bbs with one pass with it, and comfortably.

It really is an awe inspiring piece. It feels like you are holding thors hammer when you pick it up, haha.. I am a bit disappointed about the exposed blade corners, but all in all I am still happy with the razor."