Old Sarge's Shaving Journey

For either Mike or Bryan, is there an advantage to using an injector blade instead of the GEM blade? Sounds like a lot of chances to slice my finger!

Science is the only reason needed

For either Mike or Bryan, is there an advantage to using an injector blade instead of the GEM blade? Sounds like a lot of chances to slice my finger!

Science is the only reason needed 

I used to binge watch Ancient Aliens when the History Channel had weekend marathons prior to the new season!

For either Mike or Bryan, is there an advantage to using an injector blade instead of the GEM blade? Sounds like a lot of chances to slice my finger!

Science is the only reason needed 

Why do people climb Mt Everest? Because it's there! 

For either Mike or Bryan, is there an advantage to using an injector blade instead of the GEM blade? Sounds like a lot of chances to slice my finger!

For either Mike or Bryan, is there an advantage to using an injector blade instead of the GEM blade? Sounds like a lot of chances to slice my finger!

Science is the only reason needed 

Interesting question Eric.  Professor Smahtoz would say "No, you can slice your finger just as easily with either blade."  <bah-dah-bing>

But I think Brother Dave has his eye on the ball.  Science is what we need.  Unfortunately, science in shaving is as hard to come by as "YMMV" is easy, which leaves us at "see what works for you".  You should be able to tell straight away how hard it is to seat the blade.  With the second MMOC and a Chinese Schick, it was easy as pie for me.  If seating the blade is easy for you, then you can try some shaves.

As for me, I liked when I finally got the blade thing worked out, but I had a lot of things going on at the time, both shavewise and others, and I let the matter drop.  However, just to prove that both you and Bryan Old Sargeare perfectly capable enablers, you should know that I have already loaded the second MMOC with a Chinese Schick in preparation for a side-by-each comparison. 

I thank you both.

Perfect, Mike! Once again, I am stifling a guffaw! I am supposed to sleeping!

My wife has told me we'll be going to Ikea sometime in the next two weeks. The best part of that is Atlanta Barber & Beauty Supply is a short drive away and I'm thinking to try and stop in and pick up one or two after shaves. Their prices are super reasonable. They carry a large selection; to include Clubman Pinaud/Jeris, Coachman, Lustray, Barber by Marmara, Lucky Tiger and Master After Shaves.

I love the three classic after shaves that I already have, but wanted to hear any recommendations you might have. Lustray Spice and Clubman Citrus Musk are two that I'm considering. I've noticed Fluffy uses various Master after shaves and Lustray Coachman. The label on the Coahman is pretty cool.

Since your gonna be in the store you can them the “Sniff” test. I like all mine. They are nothing super special. Just nice inexpensive aftershaves.

My wife has told me we'll be going to Ikea sometime in the next two weeks. The best part of that is Atlanta Barber & Beauty Supply is a short drive away and I'm thinking to try and stop in and pick up one or two after shaves. Their prices are super reasonable. They carry a large selection; to include Clubman Pinaud/Jeris, Coachman, Lustray, Barber by Marmara, Lucky Tiger and Master After Shaves.

I love the three classic after shaves that I already have, but wanted to hear any recommendations you might have. Lustray Spice and Clubman Citrus Musk are two that I'm considering. I've noticed Fluffy uses various Master after shaves and Lustray Coachman. The label on the Coahman is pretty cool.

Lucky Tiger is a nice product. Scent fades very quickly... (which can be a good thing in some circumstances... like when ya gotta wear a mask for 9 hours straight).

Tabac Tuesday!

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre - Hot Shower
Razor - Schick Type J2
Blade - Personna Injector (2nd Use)
Brush - Jayaruh #403
Lather - Tabac, Face Lathered
Post - Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Clubman Pinaud, Nivea Sensitive Balm


A very smooth two pass shave with the Schick J2, what a lovely razor! Everything about this shave worked. I've made the Jayaruh #403 my go to Tabac latherer. Neither of them disappointed. Not much to say, it all went well!

Day three of raking leaves. All but a few strangler left on the trees after yesterday's rain. Probably have to do it one more time, but will wait a week or so.

I did the Schick in an MMOC shave today, and the results were interesting, but not like anything I remember, and not as encouraging as Dave's.  Chat's with Grandpa is one of my favorite soaps - FWIW I'm a big Hub City fan - but I started feeling irritated part way through the second pass.  The lather was fine, the blade was brand new, and the blade feel was almost glass smooth.  Nevertheless, I redoubled my attention to angle and pressure, finished the pass, and lathered up for pass #3.  However, I saw after a few strokes that pass #3 was not going to end well, so I called it quits and assessed the damage.

There were two skin results:  (1) four small nicks, three of which stopped with the cold water rinse, and the last of which succumbed to a dose of witch hazel, and (2) some mild but noticeable irritation, which lasted for a few hours.  OTOH, the shave results were astounding:  A two pass BBS except for two small "touch-up opportunities", which I would have dispatched if there was something serious on the line, and if I not been asleep at the "Hey, you can put this baby to bed" switch.  But the real kicker is this:  I don't get two pass BBSs.  Had I the records, I'm pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of two pass BBSs I've gotten in the last 10 years.  Go figure?

For the time being at least, I've ruled out gear related causes on two counts.  First, I've used all the gear except the blade many times, and it's possible but unlikely that I developed an allergy to a product that has always worked for me.  Second, the blade was a fresh Schick; I can't remember ever having a problem with a fresh Schick; and this Schick exhibited no bad blade symptoms - no tugging, biting, or scraping at all.  

Having provisionally ruled out gear related causes leaves user error.  The first thing that occurred to me was pressure.  We have been very busy for a while now, and while I'm happy to report that it has been "good busy", it still makes me wonder if my concentration has slipped more than I realized.  Of course it could be any number of other things, but I can't think of one (except maybe sudden allergy development) that would feel so good and account the extraordinary - for me - result.   

I am stumped gentlemen, and your thoughts are invited.  My curiosity is piqued too, which means that, at intervals which give my skin any necessary rest, I will be doing some personal science.  I have mentally pencilled in some possible experiments, the first of which, subject to discussion, may be using a differently branded but also familiar soap, taking a fresh Schick from a different cartridge, and cleaning and disinfecting the razor.

Thanks for listening.