The Single Edge Gang

The Rolls is one of the most different shaving experiences I've ever had. No matter how I tried to get a close feeling shave during the shave, I couldn't. But 15 minutes later my face was baby bottom smooth.

Jar, you can definitely maintain the Rolls blade yourself. Go to TOST (The Other Safety Too) and do a search for the Scary Sharp Method. Maybe google will also turn it up. It won't cost a lot (relatively) to get the materials required and there's no maintenance of the "stones".

Thanks for the tip ShadowsDad ! I recently purchased a Rolls Razor but haven't tried it yet. I'm mainly concerned about whether the blade is shave-ready. But this info will help tremendously in getting it ready.

If it isn't shave ready you can make it so with Scary Sharp. It's a technique that another gent and I brought out of woodworking and into shaving, but we might have been the first to do that. I just don't know. It will eventually use the maintenance panels in the Rolls kit, but we use them differently. Don't even try to get a Rolls blade shave ready with what they supply; it's just a waste of time.

What was posted at TOST re: Scary Sharp might be found in the other razors section. I just don't remember. It might also be titled "My Rolls Journal" or some such.

Just had my second shave with an I-1 series injector. Great shave with it. I think it might be a touch more efficient than the GEMs I got last week but all of those GEMs pretty much have the same medium head(g-bar, featherweight, push button).

I'm very pleased with the few GEMs I've used so far and with this I series injector. They feel mild but shave above their weight class.

Just shaved a little while ago with a J series Injector courtesy of a trade from HoosierShave . I think at this point I'm an I or a J man. Just a beautiful smooth shave for a first time with any razor. I did not care for the shave I got from the E series a couple days ago, just a bit too rough feeling. I might switch up the blade just to see if I see a difference but this E might end up in a trade if my next shave isn't a bit more comfortable. Was certainly worth a try though.

I hope everyone here is honoring SEptember by using their SE razors. My last shave saw me taking the blade with 15 shaves on it out of the OCMM and putting it into the ER '24 to see if I can get more shaves out of it. Normally they're good for 20+ shaves. Time will tell if this one is the rare blade that won't allow that.

Just shaved a little while ago with a J series Injector courtesy of a trade from HoosierShave .  I think at this point I'm an I or a J man.  Just a beautiful smooth shave for a first time with any razor.  I did not care for the shave I got from the E series a couple days ago, just a bit too rough feeling.  I might switch up the blade just to see if I see a difference but this E might end up in a trade if my next shave isn't a bit more comfortable. Was certainly worth a try though.

I know I'm not the best person to give advice on the injectors, but I have found, at least for me, to put very little pressure on the E and G-types. Plus I only go ATG in areas where i know it's safe to do so like the cheeks/jawline/chin. Sure hope you're next shave goes better...that E-type was the only one I hesitated on including

Just shaved a little while ago with a J series Injector courtesy of a trade from HoosierShave .  I think at this point I'm an I or a J man.  Just a beautiful smooth shave for a first time with any razor.  I did not care for the shave I got from the E series a couple days ago, just a bit too rough feeling.  I might switch up the blade just to see if I see a difference but this E might end up in a trade if my next shave isn't a bit more comfortable. Was certainly worth a try though.

I know I'm not the best person to give advice on the injectors, but I have found, at least for me, to put very little pressure on the E and G-types. Plus I only go ATG in areas where i know it's safe to do so like the cheeks/jawline/chin. Sure hope you're next shave goes better...that E-type was the only one I hesitated on including

That E type is in very good shape, so I'll definitely give it a few more tries and maybe even try a different blade before I decide to trade it for another I or J series. I definitely like that the J and the I have less blade feel to them. The J was so freaking smooth this morning I was shocked by it.

I hope everyone here is honoring SEptember by using their SE razors. My last shave saw me taking the blade with 15 shaves on it out of the OCMM and putting it into the ER '24 to see if I can get more shaves out of it. Normally they're good for 20+ shaves. Time will tell if this one is the rare blade that won't allow that.

So far, every day this month (plus the last few days of August) have been devoted to the SE. And I'm really happy I've done so. Last year, I was just starting the SE journey and sporadically used them throughout the year. In all honesty, I didn't find the shaves that much better. But now, I'm getting some amazing shaves from my Clog Pruf, 2 MMOC's and a GEM 1912!

For me, I think there are two factors at play as to why my shaves are so much better. First, it's technique. I recently purchased a Blackland Blackbird which truly forced me to concentrate on technique. None of my other razors had done that in the past. And because I spent a couple weeks with it prior to getting the SE's out, I really feel like it helped me develop an appropriate technique/angle to be using the SE's.

Second, I am currently using a GEM PTFE. It's only the 2nd one I've ever used and I am now wondering whether or not the first one may have been a dud. The shaves with it weren't smooth; whereas, now...holy cow! The shaves are smooth and result in very little to no irritation. I'll definitely be ordering more of the PTFE's.

I've read the PTFE can last around 30 blades. But yesterdays shave was #13 on that blade and I was noticing I had to do a lot more clean-up but I assumed that was due to my technique (or lack thereof). ShadowsDad, do you normally see a drop-off in the PTFE blade performance around 15 shaves?

BTW...I had always thought the MMOC was too aggressive. After improving my technique somewhat and getting a good blade in it, I am wholeheartedly hooked on this razor. At one point, I had it on the BST...now it has found a spot in the permanent rotation!

Today was back into the GEM format was a Blackland Sabre with the expected result of a PDG two pass & touch up uneventful shave. I'd say the Sabre would fall between the ClogPruf and MMOC when it comes to efficiency. A really nice razor.

On blades, my rule is if it starts dragging replace it. Blades are cheaper than cuts or irritation. Shaving should be a little pleasure not a chore.

I agree jar...I was just curious how long I could use the blade as I've seen some people say they get 30 shaves out of one.