|
Post by wchnu on Jan 7, 2010 2:54:51 GMT -5
I picked up some of these a while back at a local pharmacy. I know that the whole world likes the Ted Pella Gem Blades. and for good reason, but there is nothing wrong with the shave from these either. The carbon Steel blade is not as easy to maintain as the coated stainless perhaps.. but a quick swirl in alcohol does wonders. I have also been known to dry the blade and razor after I shave. Either way I get as many shaves from one as I usually do from the pella. This is another product that I can pick up local. SO I like that also. I think they last longer for me then the Treets that I can also get local. Fuzzy Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by mbwhoosh on Jan 7, 2010 6:04:12 GMT -5
Sweet, the Gem personnas are all I can find locally but it is good to know that there are other passable brands out there should times get desperate or opportunities arise.
thanks Fuzz
|
|
|
Post by lordjohn on Jan 7, 2010 6:58:40 GMT -5
Fuzzy, how many shaves (incl passes) do you get from the Blue Stars? I think they go off with me after 3 shaves (2 passes plus touch ups)
John
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Jan 7, 2010 14:59:40 GMT -5
Fuzzy, how many shaves (incl passes) do you get from the Blue Stars? I think they go off with me after 3 shaves (2 passes plus touch ups) John I use the same number of passes and usually get 4 shaves from them. About the same as I get from a Pella. The last shave is not as good as the first but it is a good shave. Fuzzy
|
|
|
Post by etoyoc on Jan 7, 2010 16:15:07 GMT -5
They shave great at first; however, they feel like the deteriorate too fast.. I do use a alcohol swish... I haven't used them in a long while, so perhaps I should try them again. Anyway, I used to get 2 maybe 3 shaves out of them and I can get 4 shaves out of a stainless.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Jan 7, 2010 16:50:17 GMT -5
They shave great at first; however, they feel like the deteriorate too fast.. I do use a alcohol swish... I haven't used them in a long while, so perhaps I should try them again. Anyway, I used to get 2 maybe 3 shaves out of them and I can get 4 shaves out of a stainless. I should add that I take the time to dry my blades after the swish usually. I know it takes away some from the purpose of the swish.. but it does improve the life of the blade maybe, Fuzzy
|
|
|
Post by lordjohn on Jan 7, 2010 16:51:57 GMT -5
Well that is interesting confirmation of my experiences with these blades. With the Swedes loaded into vintage Gillettes (and as reported elsewhere along with Dave) I get weeks of shaves. Which makes me a little wary of using the SE as my everyday shaver as it just does not make sense financially! So I tend to reserve for weekend only.
John
|
|
|
Post by rocketman on Jan 7, 2010 19:00:35 GMT -5
Being that the Blue Stars are neither Stainless Steel nor PTFE treated, you probably need to treat them as you would a carbon steel blade - such as in a str8 or a rolls, or with the single edge blades of old. Dry, strop and oil.
I would try drying them first (using a cotton cloth as paper has long been known to damage a blade edge), and then I would pull out an Ever Ready Automatic Stropper handle with a leather stropper. Likely 10 to 15 reps would properly dry and set the edge and then you could put a light coat of castor oil. A few quick strops before shaving the next time and I will bet you will get miles out of these blades.
I can only guess at this though as I haven't yet sourced out any blues. Non SS/PTFE blades such as these might really be the answer, and also allow for the use of the equipment that was manufactured for these razor/blade combinations.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Jan 7, 2010 19:25:46 GMT -5
Being that the Blue Stars are neither Stainless Steel nor PTFE treated, you probably need to treat them as you would a carbon steel blade - such as in a str8 or a rolls, or with the single edge blades of old. Dry, strop and oil. I would try drying them first (using a cotton cloth as paper has long been known to damage a blade edge), and then I would pull out an Ever Ready Automatic Stropper handle with a leather stropper. Likely 10 to 15 reps would properly dry and set the edge and then you could put a light coat of castor oil. A few quick strops before shaving the next time and I will bet you will get miles out of these blades. I can only guess at this though as I haven't yet sourced out any blues. Non SS/PTFE blades such as these might really be the answer, and also allow for the use of the equipment that was manufactured for these razor/blade combinations. Pop me an addy in a PM and I will get you some of these blades to play with. I have one of the ER stropper handles but it does not seem to help the blades that I have tried with it. Fuzzy
|
|
|
Post by rocketman on Jan 7, 2010 20:03:52 GMT -5
Pop me an addy in a PM and I will get you some of these blades to play with. I have one of the ER stropper handles but it does not seem to help the blades that I have tried with it. Fuzzy Consider yourself POPPED buddy!!! (thnx! PM sent)
|
|
|
Post by etoyoc on Jan 8, 2010 7:12:37 GMT -5
Like I said before, it has been a while since I tried using a GEM Blue star. Using the ER stropper helped a little, but I don't recall it helping much. Hmmm... I didn't try using any oil on the blade after the stropping...
I suppose I ought to put some Blue Stars on my shopping list.
|
|
|
Post by spinyeel on Jan 9, 2010 21:57:18 GMT -5
I find that the first shave with a Blue Star is sensational but they go down hill rapidly,no matter what you do to try and prolong their life. Shame really.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Jan 9, 2010 22:06:53 GMT -5
I get 3 or 4 shaves from the Blue Star blades just like all the rest. :-*BUT I have read where others do not get as many.
Fuzzy
|
|
|
Post by specialk on Jan 14, 2010 13:38:40 GMT -5
I am new to the whole stropping thing...what does the castor oil do? I guess since they are carbon, we could modify them and pop them in VAS and strop them that way too huh?
I am not sure if I have ever tried the Blue Stars but if I did it was when I was just getting going so time to get some more....what pharmacy was it, Fuzzy?
|
|
|
Post by mbwhoosh on Jan 14, 2010 18:56:03 GMT -5
I am new to the whole stropping thing...what does the castor oil do? I guess since they are carbon, we could modify them and pop them in VAS and strop them that way too huh? The oil is simply a preventative measure against rust and blade deterioration. You spent the time to strop and dry your blade to prolong its life so protecting it after the shave is done (with oil) will make the next stropping more effective as there will be less rust to remove and result in a smoother shave.
|
|