MAYhem 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I got it a couple of years ago. I'd say there's at least another year left.

 

Once again the north of the border team 'slams the door' on the competition!

 

What better gift to receive during MAYhem than a Chinese razor blade or three to try out. Thanks to @John Ruschmeyer for sending me a few of the following.



Made in the People's Republic of China and imported by a Spanish wholesaler, Muncisa, these have been tried by a few of you I believe. Apparently they're of such high quality and give such excellent shave that John thought of me. That's how it works around here, right? I'll put one of these through its first shave tonight for MAYhem day 4! I told you it would be all over the place for me this year. And with @9nein9 covering the totall wild and incredible, I have the freedom to roam. Ahhhhhh...the smell of MAYhem.

 

May the 4th be with you too master.

 

I believe Fuzzy @wchnu and other regular users of Gem/EverReady SE razors describe the EverReady 1914 and 1924 models as smooth and fairly mild shavers. I found that my 1912 models work very well for me "as is", but my 1914 and my 1924s gave me weepers galore. When I shimmed the blades, they settled down somewhat but still were not pleasant shavers. (Fuzzy says shims should be totally unnecessary in them.)

Yesterday I did my MAYhem annual qualification course to be recertified for another year as a Genuine Shaving Idiot. I was going to return to Just Shaving with my Supply Co injector. Then I realized I had a perfectly good Gem PTFE blade just sitting there with a single shave on it. So I decided to spend the weekend revisiting my 1914 and 1924 EverReady razors and see if I could now get a bloodfree shave from them unshimmed.

Today, the 1914 (on the right in the photo):

1914 EverReady / Gem PTFE ( 2 )
JR #267 birdseye maple and boar brush
Vitos Eucalyptus shaving cream
Alum and Osage Rub

The result? In all honesty, not bad at all. My usual 2.5 passes brought me to my usual DFS, very near BBS today. No nicks or weepers and the alum just sparked a tiny bit in a couple spots. The shave was reasonably smooth and the result was good.

Since I last used this razor, I have another six months in the Crew, including some use of a Parker SRX shavette and trying out a straight razor. My understanding of ride the cap, skin stretch and especially no pressure seems to have improved considerably. Fuzzy is right -- the 1914 doesn't require a blade shim to tame it.

I must admit I totally didn't expect today's result -- I anticipated adding the styptic pencil to the list of items used. Is the 1914 now one of my favourite razors? No. But if I had to use it every day, I expect I now could. Tomorrow the 1924 will take its turn. Since I found the 1914 the harsher of the two, I now expect an equally decent result from the unshimmed 1924.

 

Good afternoon gentlemen!
I'm looking for some advice here. I think my technique has progressed enough that I'm ready to start into my blade samples. My plan was to stick with my Blackbird since it has the most blade feel of the razors I have and use one of each blade through its useful life. Pick another razor and do the same. I don't know if this would be the best way to get to know each blade so I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks fellas!

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New guy is coming out of the gate pretty strong.

 

I’ll hold your beer.

 

Glad to hear that they got there okay. If, by some chance, you actually like them I have another 20.

Some day, I will have to find something to send you that isn't Chinese-made or inherently dangerous or both.

 

That’s a good plan. I’ve found different blades perform differently in different razors.

 

Thanks Adam! I wasn't sure if there was a better way. I have 27 different blades, at least two of each. This is going to take awhile!

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I bought a mixed bunch of blades when I first got into wetshaving. It’s took me almost 4 years to use them all, but I have a pretty good idea on how Blades react to my face in various razors now. I just ordered two 100 blade packs of my favorite Russian steel, since my wife is using a DE too now.

 

Sounds like a good approach if you are going to test a bunch of different blades: Use a single razor as the testbed for the different blades and find out which ones you like, at least in that razor. Then switch to another favourite razor and see if your blade preferences for it are the same or different. Do it for each razor you commonly use.

You will either find that most blades work much the same for you in most razors, so you don't have to worry about it -- just pick the best price and order in bulk. Or you will find that the blades do matter a bit to you and there are one or two blades you like better than the others in all razors -- order them in bulk. Or you find that your preferred blade is different for each razor -- again you can order in bulk for each razor.

Either way, you'll know.

 

Thanks John!
I'm really curious about the effects each blade will have on each razor. I found the ATT S1 worked well with Astra SP's and great with Feathers. The Timeless Bronze with Astra SP's or Feathers didn't matter as much. The Timeless .95 worked great with the Astras but a Derby Extra felt like it was yanking the hair out of my face on the atg pass. Many more blades to try.

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I cant relax. Thats why i build these things .

 

Beautiful picture, Mark!

 

Put me down for one. Will you be releasing a stainless model?

Adam will hold one beer and I’ll hold the other beer.

 

Great write up and photo John.


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We have a vacancy in the marketing dept .