SMF

i disagree that the razor is designed to be held flat against the face. we have seen printed instructions previously that contradict that procedure. i have a 1912 gem and until recently an open comb micromatic. as with a str8 you should hold that razor to get a 30 degree or less blade angle. The in...

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I took my new GEM Push Button for a spin this morning. I didn't expect it to be an easy switch from a DE, as is confirmed by the four nicks on my chin and rough spots on my neck. The razor is designed to be held flat against the face and worked great like that on my cheeks, but judgment was my only ...

Thanks, Pauldog. The original owner was apparently a collector, and I was wondering if he might have coated the blades to preserve them (it seems like too much oil to have come from the factory that way). I bought the razor from the collector's son, so I assume the collector is deceased. I decided t...

Julius_Rodman wrote:you'll learn not to put the oily ones in your mouth when you are opening up the razor.

Just when you think you have shaving down, a new technicality comes along.

Are SE blades usually oily? My first SE razor, an NOS GEM Pushbutton, arrived today in its original package with the original container of five blades. When I took out a blade, I was surprised to see how oily it was (especially because it's at least 40 years old). Should I expect this with all SE bl...

I had the same experience with Feathers. I felt like I'd need robotic precision to use them without irritation, and that was with my Superspeed. I'm glad I never tried a Feather in the Merkur Classic I used to have.

I use Crystals, which are quite effective and much gentler.

In addition to proper prep and reduction, I remind myself to make the ATG pass as light as possible. It can be difficult sometimes, because upward passes don't get the benefit of gravity.

Welcome, Axel. It sounds like you've been around the wetshaving block, and I'm interested to read about your experience.

But then about a month back the feeling subsided, as I don't believe it ever fully goes away. Yep. When I got into DE shaving, I said I'd keep it to one razor, one brush, and leave a reasonable degree of AD to soap, creams, and other consumables. I stuck with that for over a year, during which I dr...

I haven't actually used a Van der Hagen brush, but my understanding is that it takes a lot of breaking in. That would be my main concern about it. The Vulfix boar brushes require the least breaking in of all, and the Semogues are awfully nice, too. After I posted, I thought the same thing. Although...

okie, sorry if my post was too basic. I looked too fast and thought I saw a lower post count indicated you were new here. I tried to edit my message, but keep getting a debug error.

There's a line of inexpensive double-edge razors called Weishi which I believe would be good starters. I suggest Crystal blades, because they're inexpensive and are known to be good performers and not overly aggressive. If you want to get him right into traditional wetshaving, you might also look in...

Glad to hear you dove in, Shiitake. It sounds like you did well. I too prefer fragrance-free aftershaves. I don't mind if it has a scent, but want it to be a natural part of the restorative ingredients. I prefer all of my products to be that way; I leave the fragrance to cologne. I use Thayers astri...

Welcome, LG! Glad to see you're enjoying fantastic shaves again.

I came across Kingsley shaving soap today. It was the first I had heard of it, so I of course picked one up to experience it firsthand. When I got home, I read the unflattering words about it here and prepared myself for disappointment. I just finished shaving with it and found it to be okay - by no...

I happened across Kingsley shaving soap today. It was the first I had heard of it, so I of course picked one up to experience it firsthand. When I got home, I read the unflattering words about it here and prepared myself for disappointment. I just finished shaving with it and found it to be okay - n...

I happened across Kingsley shaving soap today. It was the first I had heard of it, so I of course picked one up to experience it firsthand. When I got home, I read the unflattering words about it here and prepared myself for disappointment. I just finished shaving with it and found it to be okay - n...

I happened across Kingsley shaving soap today. It was the first I had heard of it, so I of course picked one up to experience it firsthand. When I got home, I read the unflattering words about it here and prepared myself for disappointment. I just finished shaving with it and found it to be okay - n...