Micromatic Monday

A little late posting but here are my last two shave setups.

 

MicroMaticMonday, February 13th 2023

Razor : Gem Damaskeene 1912 open comb, OC version 1912-15, excellent tame mid range with a new blade, well designed and built to last many generations. Star & Gem where leaders of safety razors( sort of like cell phone craze today) in the early 1900 rds. Lots of folks where changing from straight razors to safety razors and these company's where a head of the pack of Manufactures for that time period(Gillette did not even excess yet). Star brand was the first major Safety razor Mfg in the USA & world making lather catcher razors, the first safety razor introduced.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(4) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Proraso Red(Sandalwood) nice scent of sandalwood and other unknown ingredients with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "(Ferrari) 24mm boar bristle(bleached), Excellent lather generator, cloud like split end bristle hairs, gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. This brush when bought new was noted for hair loss and breakage(discounted price) but turned out to be the best boar I have used so far when hair loss stopped for face feel out of my 5 different boar brushes.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Proraso red with witch hazel + a dollop of Geo F Trumper Sandal wood face food balm.
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem 1912 with a coated Gem blade.

Have some great shaves!

 

GEMonday, February 20th 2023

Razor : Gem push button- Mfg 1958-65, mild to tame mid range, I like the looks of this razor and it just feels good in the hand also. It was designed around the time when push button transmissions in new cars was the latest craze so they jumped at into this theme I believe. Had a excellent carefree close shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(5) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : TOBS Sandalwood cream, nice masculine herbal sandal wood scent 6-7/10 + excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Bali" 24mm silver tip (3Band) badger, excellent lather generator, heavenly pillow like soft tips, gentle splay scrubber + great lather painter.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Ogallala bayrum & sandal wood + a dollop of Geo F Trumper skin food.
Results : CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem Push button with a coated gem blade.

Have some great shaves!

 

ASRazor shave, Tuesday, February 21st 2023

Razor : Gem Feather weight 1st Generation- Mfg 1950-52, 2nd Gen 1953-54, mild to tame mid range, 1 Oz weight, this razor is the super speed of the Gem or ASR razors depending on experiences and technique of course. Very enjoyable carefree shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(6) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Ogallala Bayrum & Sandalwood, nice scent of Bayrum & sandalwood( some clove) with great lather qualities. I cut a few slivers and press in bowl to load the brush or make some bowl lather. Bowl lather is then apply to a wet face and paint on or splay lather to face until a nice cream appears add a little water as needed works well for myself. It bowl slightly different than other soaps has been my experiences. Nice soap!
Brush :Yaqi "Tail coats" 24mm synthetic, excellent lather painter, cloud like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. This brush knot is very similar face feel to my Silver tip badger (G4?) and handle works well also.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Ogallala Bayrum & Sandalwood + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem Feather weight with a coated Gem blade.



Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday + Daily double, February 27th 2023. Testing 4th shave of 4 consecutive daily shaves with the Yaqi SLOPE slant razor head.

Razor: (L) Gem Micromatic Flying wing(AKA=MMFW, MMBT, guiding eye....)-Mfg 1947-50, Tame mid range, a well built & designed razor and the heaviest of the 3 Micromatic variants. Very easy going shave this morning with excellent results.(have used this razor a lot over the years and thought it was a good choice for comparing similarities to my new Yaqi slant for shaving results).
Razor: (R) Yaqi "SLOPE" 316 SS slant head (NEW Head design)with a Yaqi "Chippendale" Darwin looking handle-Mfg Jan 2023>, mild to tame mid range with excellent efficentcy, well designed and accurate CNC QC with adequate finish for most of my personal shaving needs. It is a compact slant compared to other slants in the market. I decided to use different blades while testing and the Perma-sharp was next of 3 blades to be tested. The shave was stellar with a new blade and mostly carefree shaving experience this morning.
As for the Chippendale handle I'm adjusting to using it(different hand feel ) and really enjoy using it ATG pass( very comfortable) in the hand IMO. Very attractive handle and hard to Manufacture IMO.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(7) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Blade : Gillette Perm-sharp (1) sharp & smooth with great longevity, DE top tier blade for balanced performance shaving needs.
Soap : Gillette Pure cream, nice clean scent with excellent lather qualities, makes excellent ubber lather with other soaps.
Brush : Yaqi "black marble" 24mm tuxedo knot, excellent lather generator, cloud like soft tips, gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Razorock Blue barber with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : (L)- CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= had a excellent shave with my MMBT with a Gem coated blade on (7) uses.
Results : (R)- CCS,DFS.BBs + no irritation + no weepers = had a excellent shave with my Yaqi "SLOPE" 316 SS slant head with a Yaqi "Chippendale" Darwin looking handle with a Gillette Perma sharp blade (1) use. The Yaqi SLOPE slant slightly out performed the MMFW maybe because of the # of uses (7) on the GEM blade possibly. Both excellent blades. I like to do a feel test after 2 passes with no pickups yet to compare efficentcy of the two razors when comparing. The MMFW had a little more stubble feel under the chin area but the rest was similar on cheeks.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, March 6th 2023

Razor : Ever-Ready 1914(AKA= LLC)- Mfg 1914-17, excellent mid range, because of the design you get the best audio feedback from all my razors, it is a joy to use and the results are stellar with good technique. It is a razor to have if collecting ASR razors IMO.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(8) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest razor Blade to handle.
Soap : La Toja stick- very light scent with excellent lather qualities. When this soap is dialed in it performs very well IMO + good post shave feel. I just slice a few slivers off with pocket knife and press into bowl and bowl lather that way, works well.
Brush : Yaqi" lucky dice" 26mm brown whiskers mew fan knot(odd ball knot for this handle), excellent lather generator, heavenly cloud like soft tips, Gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. Great handle for large handles IMO.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Fine fresh Vetiver with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Ever-Ready 1914 with a coated Gem blade.(It does not get much better for a shave for results!)


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, March 13th,2023.

Razor : Gem MicroMatic OC, Mfg 1930-41, mid to upper mid range depending on blade # of uses + personal technique, well built and excellent design for securing the blade and will last many more generations IMO with some care. Excellent shave today!
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(9) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock Santa Maria del Fiore, nice vanilla & light tobacco scent added + excellent lather qualities.
Brush :Yaqi "Panda" 24mm tuxedo knot, excellent lather generator, cloud like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. I got this on sale 2 years ago and like to use it once in a while because of the detail.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Razorock Santa Mari del Fiore with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= excellent shave this morning with my MMOC with a coated Gem blade.


Have some great shaves!

 

ASRazor shave, Thursday, March 16th 2923

Razor : Ever-Ready Streamline 2nd generation, Mfg1949-53,mid to upper mid aggressive, well built to last generations, light touch with good technique delivers some nice shaves. Had a excellent shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE (10) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle IMO.
Soap : Speick stick, nice mild spicy scent with excellent lather qualities. Tripled milled also.
Brush : Yaqi "Mysterious space" 24mm silvertip(3band), excellent lather generator, heavenly pillow like soft tips, gentle splay scrubber + great lather painter.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Nivea refreshing AS + a dollop of Nivea sensitive Balm with a drop of Hyaluronic acid.
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Ever-Ready streamline with a coated Gem blade.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, March 20th 2023

Razor : Star bar model #4 lather catcher, Mfg 1919-20, tame mid range, this razor works perfect with a new blade, not to many razors can even come close for results IMO. It seems to shave ever so slightly better than the Gem Jr bar for my self. Had a excellent comfortable shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(1) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap :Razorock Emperor, unique linear sharp scent with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi " Casino club" 26mm timber wolf knot, excellent lather generator, heavenly luxury cloud like soft tips, gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. I like the face feel this brush offers!
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Razorock Emperor with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= stellar excellent shave with my Star bar #4 with a Gem coated blade.
(It does not get much better a shave then this one today!)


Have some great shaves!