Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

This morning was unique in my annals of (I just realized, you have to be careful spelling "annals") shaving. I used 3 different razors today! 

Here is the story. I recently bought a GEM 1912. I had been looking for the fancy "chain link" handle, and this was the razor that had it.


I didn't look closely enough at the listing photos so I didn't see that it was missing a blade stop. Back to the Bay. I found another and bought it, mainly looking for that handle and making sure the stops were present. It arrived yesterday, and was crudded up in the threads such that the handle would not seat tight against the head. Soaking and gentle scrubbing with a tooth brush fixed this. [side note: I need to get a fine bristle brush, like what can be used in automotive or gun cleaning work, it would have easily fixed my issue].

Also new to the razor box was a GEM Flying Wing (without the guiding eye). I wanted to try it out today with a blade that had a lot of shaves on it, just in case the shave was rough like with the Clog Pruf (for some reason, I thought the Clog Pruf was supposed to be sort of mild, yet in reading today, I see many find it as aggressive as the MMOC, but with more blade feel. Eric doesn't like lots of blade feel).

So I set up to shave, laying out the "1912" and the Flying Wing, and number 3 was the Schick Hydro-magic, for the goatee area. This injector is marvelous for ATG under my nose, something I have never done prior to this week, as it usually ended badly. The "1912" is in quotes because, as I swapped the blade after the 1st pass, I noted the back of the head said Gem Jr. Not a 1912. Hmm. But I needed to finish my shave. That first pass was fantastic. So audible, I love the "scraping toast" sound that the GEM razors make. And the face feel was so nice. 2nd pass was the Flying Wing, and it did an admirable job. I am looking forward to a week with this one! Great looking razor and it felt good to my face. 3rd pass was back to the Jr, with touch ups with the Hydro-magic, and there you have it. Three different razors for one shave!

Shout out to Linda at Lakewood Soap Company for making a great performing soap for me. Yes, for me!. Dave in KY and Ken Fluffy recommended her soaps and praised her customer service. I sent her a note from her website inquiring about unscented soap, and she promptly replied, stating she would put some in a tub for me before adding fragrances. That she did and got it to me very quickly. And it was professionally presented, complete with its own label! I have been using this soap all week and it is a winner for me!



Lastly, I learned more about this morning's razor from Brian ShadowsDad in his very informative thread reviewing 3 GEM razors.

And, not that he needs the validation but others might find it of interest, Brian's comments regarding noobs and the Featherweight are spot on. I ran out and got one when a guy I was exchanging messages with told me that it has the best face feel. Wrong. The Jr wins that award. And to my face, the Contour is next. The Featherweight made my face irritable, and I actually finished up with a Schick Hydro-magic! The gent I was communicating with suggested that the blade can sometimes shift, and I should check that. I didn't, as I had already moved the blade to the Jr. in anticipation of this morning's shave.

Thanks for reading and hope you all have a great weekend!

Nice post. Thanks for the shout out Eric. 
Yes she is first rate when it comes to old school customer service. 
Hope your weekend is going well. 
Fluffy

Dear reader,

If you have been following my posts this last month or so, you know that I have added a few razors. I am going to be letting some go. If you want one of these, message me and it's yours!

The PAL Injecto-matic (the Million Dollar Razor)
including case (not in great shape, hinges broken), instructions, and blade blank.

The GEM Micromatic Clog Pruf, which I think also has a case.

GEM Featherweight

A GEM 1912, is missing a blade stop, maybe a project piece or for parts? May have a case.

MWF, which I grated into a tub. It does not pass the sniff test by the woman of the house. 

I have the case for the MMOC as well, and as I am not a collector, if you want a look, ask me for a photo. In fact, asking for a picture of any of the above is fine.

I will most likely post the above in the BST later this week or next. 

Your servant,
EDJ

I apologize for what Photobucket did to my pics in that review. They were good pics, but Photobucket wasn't up to their quality.

I apologize for what Photobucket did to my pics in that review. They were good pics, but Photobucket wasn't up to their quality.

I didn't have much of a problem on my laptop. And it was your review that really helped me the most! Thanks again!

This is the planned set up this week. The blade is a new Personna Platinum Chrome (Israeli Red). Later in the week, I plan to sneak in a shave with the GEM Jr again, as well as the NEW LC, to mix things up mid-week. Special thanks to Paul mrdoug for both the soap and the LC!

This morning was the first use of the Henson Al with the medium plate. Outstanding! I know, only the first use, but no weepers (and no weeping!), no irritation, and lots of efficiency with mild manners! The other Paul (Stubble Daddy) had mentioned in his Journal how much this medium plate impressed him, with how well it shaved. Again, only my first use, but from a guy who loves mild razors, this was great! In fact, if I hadn't seen the ++ on the baseplate, I would have assumed the seller sold me a mild version, as it felt like that during the shave.

I had a 2BED on standby as today was the first full shave with the SOC, but the SOC didn't get benched. It is soft and with backbone, without being scrubby! I am really digging this brush! And dominicr, the Black Tie #13 performed like a champ with this new boar. I exclusively use unscented soaps, and this one is a winner!

GREAT, I knew you needed the Medium

A package from Texas arrived in the mail today 



Tim MilkCrate kindly sent me a used TP roll! 

Nah, he didn't! I just needed look inside. 



A nicely broken in Zenith boar! Even dry, I was impressed by the softness of the bristles! It's on deck for tomorrow morning!

Thanks so much, Tim, for your generosity! I will pair it with a Texan soap, like Hub City or Noble Otter!

MilkCrate Tim's a "CLASS ACT"

MilkCrate Tim's a "CLASS ACT"

Thanks Dave!