Stubble Daddy’s Shave Journal of Awesomeness and Honesty ...

Thanks guys. A forum member has already sent a couple Personna Stainless my way. I sincerely appreciate the offer though!

It will be fun to compare to my Rite Aid specials (which I don't think are stainless or coated!)

From the looks of them, I'd guess carbon. A little more care drying but, Some swear by them as being smoother.

That's a beautiful photo Paul - nice kit, nice shot - and Dave has hit the highlights for the blades.  IMO the "bible" for the blades you want is Accutec, which owns the GEM brandname.  See this Accutec page, which details the blade specs, including the part number, 62-0178.  Look for this part number.  One CONUS source is the Razor blade Company here.  Ignore the "62-0165" at the link.  I think it is an internal identifier.  Instead, note that the SKU is 62-0178 and the specs match Accutec's in every detail.  I have ordered from them, and they delivered the same package of 100 blades shown by Accutec.  Connaught's is another source.  Before Brexit and increased shipping costs, Connaught's VAT free prices could not be beat, especially for bulk purchases.  I mention [font=Verdana]Connaught just in case you happen to be shopping there.[/font]

This is really useful information! I will have to cut and paste it to a file I can easily find when needed.

NOTE: I was just about to post this when I saw Paul's post and reference to what appears to be an excellent article.  I still think there is some value to it, so I am posting it anyway. ...

Let me once again echo what Dave said.  I have the same package.

I think you have rebranded Accutec blades, the same sort of thing as when Listerine relabels its mouthwash with, for example, a Target or Walmart label.  However, there are many different types of Accutec blades that fit a GEM razor.  They come with or without coating, in carbon or stainless, 3 faceted or two faceted, degreased or not degreased, and so on.  Accutec lists the intended applications for each model, and they cover a wide range from automotive, flooring, scraping, various medical, through clean room use.  I have what may be the same package that Dave just showed.  Mine came in this packaging:



I don't use the ones in this package for shaving because, while they are stainless, they do not advertise "coated".  Your packaging does not say "coated" or "stainless".  This may have been an oversight in designing the daylogic label - the blades may actually be coated and stainless - but who knows.

 It is simple enough and costs only a pittance to drop a few of the 62-0178 blades in an envelope and send them your way.  That way you can compare.

Dang, I just bought two packs of these from Amazon (and sent 1 to Dave (sorry!) with the razors he loaned me). I see a purchase in my future!

Edit: Un-dang. This quote is from the same article Paul referenced from TSD.
"ASR also make stainless steel SE blades that are carried primarily by Walgreens drugstores, but they may also be found at independent drug and grocery stores. The stainless blades also come in the same vault type dispenser as the carbon steel brands, but have GEM and STAINLESS stamped on the spine. The package sold at Walgreens doesn’t indicate that they are coated, but some members here and at other boards have contacted ASR and were told they are. I cannot confirm this."

So I will try them and see. They appear to match the blades Dave sent me, so I just figured they were the exact same. leave it to Personna! But with Mike's links, I think I will order some. As I only have the one GEM, anyone want to go halvsies?

Razor: ATT G1
Brush: Elite Razor 28mm
Soap: Moon - Union
Aftershave: Trotter Handcrafts
Blade: Personna Stainless

My second outing with the ATT G1. This time with a Personna Stainless blade. Yikes, the 1st pass was ROUGH. This blade was super tuggy and nothing like the carbon steel blades I pickup at Rite Aid. I almost tossed the blade in the trash after the 1st pass. It was that bad for me. The remining 3 passes were better, but still not anywhere as comfortable as the carbon steel Rite Aid blade. Do these get better the more you use them? lol

Moon's Union was a joy to use again. It provided a ton of thick lather (which I really needed today).

Well, I'm off to test ride this Honda Rebel... it's cool looks have been calling me for a while and the dealer down near Seattle just got one.

I've always heard the carbon are smoother but if you're gonna be a biker you're gonna have to be tougher

I think you need to dress like Darth Vader when you ride that bike!

Back from a lengthy test ride... sadly it was a little too gutless on the performance side. But it did look pretty cool.

So far the KTM Duke 890 R has put the biggest smile on my face out of all the test rides. Not in love with the style of that one though.

Next on deck... Triumph Trident and Yamaha MT-09

This is more my style and my last one but it's gone now.......yep that's a car tire on the back

Razor: Blackland Blackbird w/ TiBam Titanium Handle
Brush: Brad Sears - 28mm
Soap: B&M Sunny Lane
Aftershave: Ethos Melange D'Agrumes
Blade: Voskhod

Well, no one purchased my new tub of Sunny Lane, and nearly new Ethos Splash in the BST, so I had no other choice than to keep it all for myself! Glad I did...

The soap scent is very unique. Not sure how anyone could relate the scent to Sesame Street, Mr. Rodgers or Children's Television (which it happens to be inspired by). To me, its a sorta dark/non-happy/dirty scent. Maybe it was inspired by Oscar the Grouch or his trash can dwelling. Off the puck I get clove out front with a bit of sour/dark bergamot. When I lather the heck out of it, I still mostly get clove.... but also a bit of patchouli, smoke and liquorish. It's strangely twisted enough that I think I sorta like it... but I also think most people would probably seriously hate this scent. B&M's published scent descriptions are a total enigma to me. Seriously, Sesame Street? lol

Performance of the Excelsior base is excellent of course. My Brother in Law is starting to get into wetshaving and just asked me to recommend a good, cheap, artisan soap that he could quickly get off Amazon Prime... to me it was a no-brainer that he needed to order Seville or Cheshire.

The Blackbird is such a great razor. I intentionally put a Voskhod in there to slow me down. Voskhod's have a bit of drag for me. They are not the sharpest, but I do like them in aggressive razors with a lot of blade feel.

The Ethos splash is really nice to use as well. Scent is straight-up grapefruit juice. I like it... lots of good skin food in there too!

Also, I have procured materials to start pouring my own acrylic handles. I made a quick test handle yesterday. I have a lot to learn on pouring my own (colors/dyes) and properly polishing, but it will be a fun adventure into something new!

Have a great day!

That handle looks nice Paul! If that's a first attempt, I can't wait to see what you come out with after some practice.

Time to start saving for my next Trotter brush, eeh?