Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

SEptember kick off with a new razor, the GEM Black & Gold push button (Thanks again, Paul D!) It held a new Personna PTFE blade and did a good job this morning. More on that later. 
Also new was the HCS Star/Kambro handle with a new G5A knot (AlanH81 thanks so much!)
Soap was the 1508.5 contender Black Tie #13.

The shave went well, and the razor seemed to have more blade feel than I expected. I thought these push buttons were the precursor to the Contours, known be on the mild side. The shave was close but I did give myself some weepers/nicks on my chin. It could just be user error with a new tool, a new blade (some of my GEMs shave a bit more aggressive on first use of a new blade, some don't, and it could be me again!), or this razor may not be the pussy cat I assumed it was. All that to say, I am glad to have this one and it will see use later as the blade is broken in. Tomorrow I plan to use the newly replated Damaskeene with that blade at least once and then I will revisit the Black & Gold.

Great start to SEptember Eric. That brush is drop dead gorgeous !

Great start to SEptember Eric. That brush is drop dead gorgeous !

Thanks, Dave. The handle will take some getting used to, being longer than all others except the JR#431. But I agree, it looks stunning!

SEptember kick off with a new razor, the GEM Black & Gold push button (Thanks again, Paul D!) It held a new Personna PTFE blade and did a good job this morning. More on that later. 
Also new was the HCS Star/Kambro handle with a new G5A knot (AlanH81 thanks so much!)
Soap was the 1508.5 contender Black Tie #13.

The shave went well, and the razor seemed to have more blade feel than I expected. I thought these push buttons were the precursor to the Contours, known be on the mild side. The shave was close but I did give myself some weepers/nicks on my chin. It could just be user error with a new tool, a new blade (some of my GEMs shave a bit more aggressive on first use of a new blade, some don't, and it could be me again!), or this razor may not be the pussy cat I assumed it was. All that to say, I am glad to have this one and it will see use later as the blade is broken in. Tomorrow I plan to use the newly replated Damaskeene with that blade at least once and then I will revisit the Black & Gold.

I have heard from people who know better than me that first-use GEMS can be on the rough side.  Also ...

Great start to SEptember Eric. That brush is drop dead gorgeous !

I agree with Dave.  That is a great shave and a great brush.  The handle looks like it's got the AlanH81 shine.   

SEptember kick off with a new razor, the GEM Black & Gold push button (Thanks again, Paul D!) It held a new Personna PTFE blade and did a good job this morning. More on that later. 
Also new was the HCS Star/Kambro handle with a new G5A knot (AlanH81 thanks so much!)
Soap was the 1508.5 contender Black Tie #13.

The shave went well, and the razor seemed to have more blade feel than I expected. I thought these push buttons were the precursor to the Contours, known be on the mild side. The shave was close but I did give myself some weepers/nicks on my chin. It could just be user error with a new tool, a new blade (some of my GEMs shave a bit more aggressive on first use of a new blade, some don't, and it could be me again!), or this razor may not be the pussy cat I assumed it was. All that to say, I am glad to have this one and it will see use later as the blade is broken in. Tomorrow I plan to use the newly replated Damaskeene with that blade at least once and then I will revisit the Black & Gold.

I have heard from people who know better than me that first-use GEMS can be on the rough side.  Also ...

Great start to SEptember Eric. That brush is drop dead gorgeous !

I agree with Dave.  That is a great shave and a great brush.  The handle looks like it's got the AlanH81 shine.   

It’s polyuretaned professionally I spent hours on it to bring that shine up while it’s got nice smooth glazed Finish..  

I like smaller handles and that’s why I sold it other wise it’s a perfect handle truly worth owning one!

Best Regards


Alan H

SEptember kick off with a new razor, the GEM Black & Gold push button (Thanks again, Paul D!) It held a new Personna PTFE blade and did a good job this morning. More on that later. 
Also new was the HCS Star/Kambro handle with a new G5A knot (AlanH81 thanks so much!)
Soap was the 1508.5 contender Black Tie #13.

The shave went well, and the razor seemed to have more blade feel than I expected. I thought these push buttons were the precursor to the Contours, known be on the mild side. The shave was close but I did give myself some weepers/nicks on my chin. It could just be user error with a new tool, a new blade (some of my GEMs shave a bit more aggressive on first use of a new blade, some don't, and it could be me again!), or this razor may not be the pussy cat I assumed it was. All that to say, I am glad to have this one and it will see use later as the blade is broken in. Tomorrow I plan to use the newly replated Damaskeene with that blade at least once and then I will revisit the Black & Gold.

I have heard from people who know better than me that first-use GEMS can be on the rough side.  Also ...

Great start to SEptember Eric. That brush is drop dead gorgeous !

I agree with Dave.  That is a great shave and a great brush.  The handle looks like it's got the AlanH81 shine.   

It’s polyuretaned professionally I spent hours on it to bring that shine up while it’s got nice smooth glazed Finish..  

I like smaller handles and that’s why I sold it other wise it’s a perfect handle truly worth owning one!

Best Regards


Alan H

I was weakening Alan but have too many brushes. I almost pulled the trigger multiple times. If Eric sells it down the road I will be waiting

SEptember kick off with a new razor, the GEM Black & Gold push button (Thanks again, Paul D!) It held a new Personna PTFE blade and did a good job this morning. More on that later. 
Also new was the HCS Star/Kambro handle with a new G5A knot (AlanH81 thanks so much!)
Soap was the 1508.5 contender Black Tie #13.

The shave went well, and the razor seemed to have more blade feel than I expected. I thought these push buttons were the precursor to the Contours, known be on the mild side. The shave was close but I did give myself some weepers/nicks on my chin. It could just be user error with a new tool, a new blade (some of my GEMs shave a bit more aggressive on first use of a new blade, some don't, and it could be me again!), or this razor may not be the pussy cat I assumed it was. All that to say, I am glad to have this one and it will see use later as the blade is broken in. Tomorrow I plan to use the newly replated Damaskeene with that blade at least once and then I will revisit the Black & Gold.

I have heard from people who know better than me that first-use GEMS can be on the rough side.  Also ...

Great start to SEptember Eric. That brush is drop dead gorgeous !

I agree with Dave.  That is a great shave and a great brush.  The handle looks like it's got the AlanH81 shine.   

It’s polyuretaned professionally I spent hours on it to bring that shine up while it’s got nice smooth glazed Finish..  

I like smaller handles and that’s why I sold it other wise it’s a perfect handle truly worth owning one!

Best Regards


Alan H

As usual, your work is amazing Alan.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Contrary to appearances, I don't bowl lather. I like this scuttle as a brush warmer. I think it works better for me than the ceramic one made for this purpose! 

The Damaskeene performed flawlessly. However, I had a bit of tingling on my neck, and right cheek. Blade? Me? Whatever the reason, it was gone after balm was applied. This was use 2 of the GEM blade. Paul mrdoug I think I feel your pain! Let's hope this goes better tomorrow. I plan to use another gentle GEM, the Clog Pruf Peerless.

Today's cutting tool was courtesy of Kim Phoenixkh  who graciously has lent me his back up (hey, don't judge, it's a real thing here!) Claymore Evolution for this month's festivities. It is very efficient and smooth, with a little more blade feel (I think) than the Hawk v3. My face has irritated by a new GEM blade and/or rosacea, so I need to try again with the Claymore. And I want to compare to my Vector, which in SS was too much for me but in titanium is perfect!
Blade: Feather Professional (5)
Brush: APSCo 2BED in Trotter Handcrafts Messier
Soap: Black Tie #13
Balm: Stirling unscented lotion balm
9/10 (due to my face which is hurting me and killing you!)

After some irritation these last few days, I decided to focus on a gentler yet close shaves, and I chose the Schick Type M adjustable set on 5 for most of the shave. I dialed down for the ATG to 4. Not really sure how many shaves are on the sChick blade. But it was exactly what I needed today!
Mystic Water Sensitive Skin and the Star/Kambro G5A completed the lineup.