Micromatic Monday

ASRazor shave, Monday, May 15th, 2023

Razor : Star bar #4 lather catcher- mild to tame mid range, Mfg 1919-20, excellent workmanship for producing a excellent razor, this razor just checks all the boxes for best vintage razor of the whole bunch with a new Gem blade. This morning was another stellar excellent shave and always look forward when this Jewel of a razor comes up in my razor rotation. Hard to beat for my style of shaving.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(1) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely , predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Cyril R Salter Wild Rose cream, nice rose scented 5-6/10 strength with excellent lather qualities. CRS are excellent creams + reasonably priced. Sandalwood and Wild rose are the ones I have used and enjoy!
Brush : Yaqi "Lucky dice" 26mm fan brown whiskers knot(rare)synthetic, excellent lather generator, heavenly luxury cloud like soft tips, gentle face scrubber + excellent lather painter. Nice brush, if you have large hands this brush would be worth considering 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 : Italian barber Amici(Razorock)AS with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= excellent stellar shave with my Star bar #4 with a fresh Gem coated blade.(It does not get much better for easy shaving results, excellent combination of razor & blade!)

Have some great shaves!

 

SE SOTD, Thursday, May 18th 2023

Razor : Gem Junior bar lather catcher, Mfg 1907-11, mild razor, well built to last many generations, brass with a nickel coating, it is amazing with a new blade how well this old razor performs. It takes a person back in time while shaving but the performance is still great with a new Gem PTFE blade.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE blade (2) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Taylor of old Bond street herbal sandal wood, nice herb and sandalwood combination 7-10 scent strength with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Casino clubs" 26mm Timber wolf synthetic, excellent lather generator, heavenly luxury cloud like soft tips, gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. This brush checks all the boxes for performance and face feel for myself.
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 AS + a dollop of Geo F Trumper Sandalwood skin food .
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= excellent shave with my Gem Jr bar with a coated Gem blade.

Have some great shaves!

 

Gem Junior Razor
Gem SE Blade
FS Ex Dense Two Band Badger Brush
Viking Revolution Peppermint Eucalyptus Shave Cream
Sea Breeze Astringent
Shulton Old Spice w/M-Bomb

 

MMMonday, May 22nd 2023

Razor : Gem G bar- Mfg 1955-58, nice mild to tame mid range, well built with a excellent coating of chrome. The handle is unique with a angle base heel. First Gem razor I owned and works excellent for a close shave with no issues this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PPTFE(3) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock Santa Maria Del Fiore, nice Vanilla and green tobacco scent with excellent lather qualities
Brush : Yaqi "Mysterious space" 24mm timber wolf knot, excellent lather generator, cloud like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + excellent 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 Santa Maria del Fiore+ a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem G Bar with a coated Gem blade.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, May 29th 2023

Razor : Gem Damaskeene 1912 OC- Mfg 1912-17, mild to tame mid range, works great with a modern Gem PTFE blade. This 1912 concept razor was the start of a very prosperous razor for Gem Manufacturing(ASR) and was just simply a success story and they manufactured millions of them over the decades into the 1940's from my limited research.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE (4) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest razor blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock Don Marco, nice citrus scent with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Casino clubs" 26mm timber wolf synthetic, excellent lather generator, heavenly luxury 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 : Italian barber(Razorock) Amici AS with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers= excellent shave with my Damaskeene 1912 OC with a coated Gem blade.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, June 5th 2023, MicroMatic Monday use any ASR razor that uses a Gem blade any day of the week.

Razor :Gem Junior 1912 Parade variant with plastic baton tapered handle- Mfg 1943 variant, tame mid range, well made to last generations. I find the 1912 ASR razors variants great to use and give a excellent shaves with usually no issues.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(4) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Yaqi Green, nice fragrance soap(Lacoste green cologne ) with excellent lather qualities. Yaqi commissioned MSC S.A to bring in their line of soaps and Aftershave splashes.
Brush : Yaqi "Casino clubs" 26mm timber wolf synthetic knot, excellent lather generator, luxury 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 : Yaqi green(Lacoste green cologne scent) with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= excellent shave with my Gem Jr 1912 Parade with baton handle + a Gem PTFE blade. Very nice shaving with this handle and head combination.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, June 12th, 2023. Micromatic Monday, any ASE razor that uses a Gem blade, any day of the week.

Razor : Ever-Ready (ASR) 1924(AKA-Shovel head)- Mfg 1924-33, mid range, well built and finish is great for a 100 year old razor. The razor was designed around the old thicker splined blade so I use a shim (RIGS) underneath the modern blade spline to tilt it more to smooth it out nicely. This is a nice razor with a different way of loading a blade with a hinged flip top cap and loaded from the rear. Close comfortable shave this morning!
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE (5) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : TOBS Herbal Sandalwood, nice fragranced Herbal soap 6-7/10 for my nose + excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Black marble" 24mm 3band silvertip badger, excellent lather generator, luxury pillow like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + great lather painter. Big dense knot with a large splay, handle works very well in my hands.
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 : Witch hazel beard cleanse + Ogallala Bayrum and Sandal wood+ a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent close shave with my Ever-ready 1924 razor with a Gem coated blade.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, June 19th, 2023. MicroMatic Monday, any ASR that uses a Gem blade + any day of the week is welcomed.


Razor : Micromatic OC, Bump less variant from 1930-32 - Micromatic OC variants Mfg from 1930-41, mid range, built to last with a little care, Bump less models where usually not coated from my limited observance. I like to use a RIGS shim underneath the modern aluminium spine to smooth out the shave because older blades in the 1930's had thicker spines then. Had a excellent close shave this morning with this beautiful patinaed MicroMatic razor.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(6) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock XXX , nice clean unique scent with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Atlantis" 24mm G4 synthetic, excellent lather generator, cloud like soft tips, excellent splay scrubber + great lather painter. Closest synthetic knot I own that comes close to the feel of a 2band badgers I enjoy 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 : Razorock XXX with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my MMOC bump less with a coated Gem blade. Very nice shave this morning, not 100% perfect but the way I like it and my skin enjoys it also for a very close comfortable shave.

Have some great shaves!

 

Gem Micromatic Open Comb Razor
Gem PTFE Blade
Wontshed #3 Boar (restored) Brush
American Gentlemen Lavender Soap
Sea Breeze Astringent
Ginger's Garden Fougere Fern After Shave

 

MMMonday, June 26th, 2023. Micromatic Monday, any ASR razor that uses a Gem blade, any day of the week.

Razor : Micromatic Clog Pruf, Peerless variant (17 nib safety bar) - Mfg 1945, mid range, very well built to last generations, I find this MMCP very easy to find the sweet spot angle and mostly a joy to use. I find this in the middle on the aggression scale of the Micromatic 3 main different variants my preferred it seems for final results.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(7) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest razor blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock "The Dead Sea" very nice unique scent that is one of my best scents I enjoy + excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi " Artic Sky" 24mm, 3band silvertip, excellent lather generator, heavenly pillow like soft tips, nice gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. This brush is a very nice splay scrubber with a decent handle also to lather with.
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 The Dead Sea AS with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my MMCP with a coated Gem blade.


Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, July 3rd, 2023. Micromatic Monday, any ASR razor that uses a Gem blade any day of the week!

Razor : Gem Junior 1912 parade with baton handle variant- Mfg 1943, Tame mid range, will built and designed with this very interesting tapered plastic handle that is self standing and a joy to use. Close comfortable shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(8) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest razor blade to handle.
Soap : Cyril R Salter Wild rose cream, nice rose scent 5-6 /10 strength with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Bali"24mm 3band silvertip, excellent lather generator, luxury pillow like soft tips, nice 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 : Italian barber Amici AS with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem Jr 1912 with a coated Gem blade. Had a great comfortable shave this morning with no issues.


Have some great shaves!

 

SE SOTD, Friday, July7th 2023

Razor : Ever-Ready 2nd generation streamline - 1st gen was Mfg 1930's & 2nd gen 1950's, upper mid range, one of the best eye candy looking razors made by ASR corp. I find I like to use a RIGS shim underneath modern blade with this razor to smooth out the shave because the razor was designed around the thicker splined blades then. Had a close shave this morning with no issues + enjoyable.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE (9) very sharp, excellent longevity, nicely smooths out over use, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock XXX Fresco, nice XXX clean scent with some menthol + excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi " Mysterious space" 24mm timber wolf synthetic, excellent lather generator, cloud like soft tips, nice 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 XXX Fresco with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Ever-ready streamline with a coated Gem blade.

Have some great shaves!

 

MMMonday, July 10th 2023. Micromatic Monday, use any ASR razor that uses a Gem blade any day of the week!

Razor : Star bar #4 lather catcher- Mfg 1919-1929, tame mid range, well designed to last and is similar to the Gem junior bar but there are slight differences and the advantage goes to the Star brand. This is one of my favorite ASRazors with a new fresh blade. Not sure it can get much better + a decent daily driver for most folks.
Had a stellar comfortable shave this morning with my Star bar.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(1) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Razorock Irish Countryside, nice unique scented soap with some of the best lather qualities I have used.
Brush : Yaqi "Mysterious space" 24mm, 3band silvertip, excellent lather generator, luxury pillow 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 : Razorock Irish Countryside AS with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + 1 blemish weeper= excellent stellar comfortable shave with my Star bar #4 with a coated Gem blade. (Does not get much better than this for a close comfortable stellar shave.)

Have some great shaves!

 

Gem 1912 w/DIY Handle Razor
Gem PTFE Blade
FS Ex. Dense Two Band Badger Brush
Cremo Refreshing Mint Shave Cream
Sea Breeze Astringent
Aqua Velva Ice Blue After Shave

 

Is the handle a bullet casing?

 

Yes it is, a 300 Win Mag.

 

That's awesome. I have a bullet casing handle I made out of one of the rounds from my grandfather's honor guard at his funeral.

 

ASRazor shave, Saturday, July 15th 2023

Razor : Gem Junior bar lather catcher- Mfg 1907-11, mild to tame mid range, a fresh blade brings out some of the best shaves that this razor offers, well made + nice script on the back of razor for that time period. Lather catchers played a big part in the evolution of safety razors being the first to arrive for the general public offerings in the 1880's by the Star brand. Had a close comfortable shave this morning with no issues.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(2)
Soap : Razorock Emperor, sharp cologne scented soap with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Black marble" 24 mm 3band silvertip badger- excellent lather painter, luxury pillow like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + great lather painter. Big bloom on this brush with first cleaning, a very nice brush to use but it does trap lather in the knot more than my synthetics 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 : + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless)
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= excellent shave with my Gem Jr bar with a coated Gem blade. Gem manufactured very good razors for it's dominance in safety razors at one short time period in the shaving world.

Have some great shaves!

 

GEMonday, July 17th 2023, Micromatic Monday, any ASR razor that uses a Gem blade any day of the week!

Razor : Gem Heavy Flat top (G bar) - Mfg 1955-58, tame mid range, well made and interesting foot heal on the handle + designed to last for generations with some care. Had a close comfortable shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE (3) Very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Mitchells Wool fat (Tallow), very mild clean scent with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Mountain Lake" 24mm 2band badger, excellent lather generator, pillow like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + great lather painter. Good all around brush performance.
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 : Pinaud Clubman with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem G bar with a coated Gem blade.



Have some great shaves!

 

GEMonday, July 24, 2023

Razor : Gem Push button theme, Mfg 1958-65, mild to tame mid range, interesting razor inspired by that time period when cars had push button transmissions instead of shifters and appliances had lots of push button speeds and start mechanisms. This is one of my favorite razors for appearance for the Gem line(gold & black) and a fine shaver also. Had a excellent shave this morning.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(4) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Ogallala Bayrum & sandal wood, nice Bayrum scent with excellent lather qualities. I like the sandalwood soap the best.
Brush : Yaqi "Casino clubs" 26mm timber wolf synthetic knot, excellent lather generator, luxury cloud like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. Interesting handle with a excellent knot.
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 : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent shave with my Gem Pushbutton with a coated Gem blade.



Have some great shaves!