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Post by sharpspine on Jul 24, 2011 7:43:50 GMT -5
It's amazing. I've shaved every day this week. That's 7 days of 3+ passes & I feel that this bade can keep on going. Of course I'm going to start my week off with the 1912 Jr. using a new blade, but I'm just blown away at how much better the SE experience is for me. I think the blades themselves are better for me as they are stiffer & seem to handle my wiry stubble much easier. I know there aren't many options when it comes to SE blades, but from what I'm seeing there doesn't need to be. They just seem so far superior to DE IMHO.
Add to this that the razors are just flat out georgeous & are built to stand the test of time. The Original Safety is definitely where it's at!
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Post by wchnu on Jul 24, 2011 20:00:50 GMT -5
It's amazing. I've shaved every day this week. That's 7 days of 3+ passes & I feel that this bade can keep on going. Of course I'm going to start my week off with the 1912 Jr. using a new blade, but I'm just blown away at how much better the SE experience is for me. I think the blades themselves are better for me as they are stiffer & seem to handle my wiry stubble much easier. I know there aren't many options when it comes to SE blades, but from what I'm seeing there doesn't need to be. They just seem so far superior to DE IMHO. Add to this that the razors are just flat out georgeous & are built to stand the test of time. The Original Safety is definitely where it's at! BULLY!!!!!!! Looks like a convert here guys. I love when a new guy falls in love with these things. VIVA LA REVOLUTION.. ;D Fuzzy |
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Post by rocketman on Aug 3, 2011 19:20:25 GMT -5
Looks like he has it bad too!!!  |
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Post by sharpspine on Aug 4, 2011 8:11:56 GMT -5
Looks like he has it bad too!!! You are absolutely right! I picked up 5 more SEs last weekend, 2 of them brig OCMMs! I didn't get as good of a shave with the 1912 as I did the Clog Pruf so I was REALLY wanting to try an OCMM. I'm so happy I found a couple. I've had 5 shaves with one of them & so far, except for 1 time, they've been the closest & most comfortable shaves I've ever had. Yesterday my prep was off and/or I didn't respect her enough & she burned me bad. I apologized for my disrespect this morning & she rewarded me with another superb shave. Love the OCMM! Sorry Possum, but there's now another person who knows how to wield this razor properly! |
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Post by rocketman on Aug 4, 2011 20:29:03 GMT -5
Nice to see you enjoying using these wonderful razors!!! I am still stuck on collecting double edge razors if they grab my fancy, but I gotta admit that I am a single edger all the way baby!!!
You seem to have made an important observation - it is the blades that really are of outstanding quality. DE folks think they got it all going on - but, those ribbons of steel fired out of some old russian factory they rave about, low end stuff!!! Nothing better than quality SE blades.
I know Possum likes to knock the MM, and I have certainly been on the fringes of his argument, but it is really the 'blade' that is doing the work here, not so much the razor. If the MM holds the blade with a gap that works for your skin, and the heft of the razor works for your hand, then you may well have a razor that works very well for. Really then, it is simply a frame that places the razor at the right angle and right comfort level for your stubble and style.
That said though, keep looking for some older lather catchers too. I am seriously hooked on the earlier styles for holding the same spine backed SE blades. A good old 1908 Gem. Yummy! Add a lovely wood handle to the mix and you get shaving nirvanna baby!!! This is partly what Possum alludes to - the MM can work well, but when you try out a razor/blade combo that just makes you explode with 'yeah baby', then the MM is harder to go back to!! (Sorry Possum if I haven't a clue!! ;D)
You are far closer to making shaving a great part of your life than those sorry saps still bragging about their latest Fatboy acquisition. Shaving is indeed an art. And for art, you need proper tools.
Continue to enjoy!!!!!!!!!! And share!
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!! (ripped off of course from our very own WCNU!)
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Post by sharpspine on Aug 4, 2011 23:08:13 GMT -5
I currently have 3 1912 style razors so I'm sure I'll give them another go. I definitely want to find one of those gorgeous lather catchers and give her a spin. I located a 1924 Ever Ready (for $6) but didn't know how to operate it so I passed. I may try picking it up again this weekend now that I know the head opens in the reverse direction. I'd love to get my hands on an EverReady Streamline too.
As for the blades, I'd love to know which ones you use. Currently I've only tried the GEM blades from my local Walgreen's. As I'm using SEs exclusively I'm going to be ordering some from either Ted Pella or Emsdiasum. Most people recommend the stainless PTFE coated, while a few prefer the carbon steel ones.
Also, as it seems that my beard needs a more aggressive (rather more efficient) razor, can you recommend which older type SE razor would be best for me to look for next? Are the lather catchers more aggressive or more mild than the 1912s?
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Post by rocketman on Aug 9, 2011 21:08:50 GMT -5
As for the blades, I'd love to know which ones you use. Currently I've only tried the GEM blades from my local Walgreen's. As I'm using SEs exclusively I'm going to be ordering some from either Ted Pella or Emsdiasum. Most people recommend the stainless PTFE coated, while a few prefer the carbon steel ones.My stubble really only seems to agree with the PTFE Gems that Pella sells. I gotta admit I have tried numerous store available brands (and even some Blues from Wchnu that he picked up in a gas station - thnx Fuzzmeister!) and have not found them sharp enough. This blade issue is the one thing that leaves me a little unsettled about SE shaving. The Pellas are great. The others don't work for me. If ASR stops producing that PTFE 3 bevel edge blade I am toast!! Oh well, that is my story. Also, as it seems that my beard needs a more aggressive (rather more efficient) razor, can you recommend which older type SE razor would be best for me to look for next? Are the lather catchers more aggressive or more mild than the 1912s? The pre 1910 lather catcher style of Gem, ie the Gem Jr bar, is actually what I find to be 'just right' for gap and design. I have always been a little unclear on this 'aggressive vs non-aggressive' terminology. I rather feel it to be a matter of resistance to the stubble that is created by the angle of the blade, the thickness of the edge and the 'feel' of the razor itself. Some razors for me have a good sense of 'pull', but cut too close and cause nicks - such as a Fatboy on a high setting. The angle of delivery appears to change depending on gap as well as the design of the comb/bar. I get a little confused really trying to sort it all out. I think if you feel that an agressive type of razor works well for you, would very much appreciate the Gem Jr bar LC. I have had a very hard time finding any DEs to give the feel that this razor gives. That said though, the 1914 style has a great gap. Some folks find a little too lively, perhaps that is aggressiveness!!??!! I personally love that razor. The sound is stereophonic and the experience is very tactile. Yummy!! The Damaskeen, the concave headed 1912 also seems to present the blade just right for me. You are definitely in the right zone by trying out the 1912s. But after all my babbling I guess I should just say, the Gem Jr Bar is more 'aggressive' than a 1912 when it comes to my skin and stubble. Do keep your eyes peeled for a 1914 Little Lather Catcher though, you shouldn't be disappointed. (Now. For an ancient RocketMan secret. To 'perk up' the aggressiveness of a 1912, get a good quality small pair of sharp scissors, and trim about 1/4 inch off the top and 1/8 inch off each side of your favorite sharp DE blade. I like to trim up an Astra and use that. They fit in a Jr Bar too!! Gives one sharp ass little razor set up that really cruises! I discovered it after running out of Pella SEs and got desparate for a decent shave. If you do it though, be, as Elmer Fudd would say, 'vewy vewy careful'! A nice gentle pull and only after you feel fairly experienced with SE shaving. I use a Rocketed Astra quite frequently and really enjoy the 'perky' shaves I get!!!. Shhhhhhh!!! Don't tell!)
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Post by sharpspine on Aug 9, 2011 22:36:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the comparisons rocketman! I'm going to give my '24 ER a drive in the morning. I can't wait to hear this razor. I found a'14 LLC, but there was too much play in the lid when closed over the blade. I'll just have to keep looking. The Gem Damaskeene & the pre-1912 lather catchers are quite high on my list as well as a G-Bar (love the look & I've gotten good shaves out of a featherweight so far this week). Ideally I hope to have 1 of every Gem model.
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