(08-31-2023, 09:14 PM)Dave in KY Wrote: Any thoughts on the comparison ?
Dave in KY I should have posted this along with the pictures. Here's a write up that I posted elsewhere:
GEM Battle: Blackland Sabre Level Two vs. Shield Razors Titanium GEM
I finally did a side-by-side shave on my head and face with these two razors this morning. I loaded both with a new PTFE coated Personna. Overall, the Sabre was more comfortable, and the Shield gave me a slightly closer shave. I liked the lighter weight of the Shield. Even with that lighter weight, it seemed to have more blade feel and aggression.
Head shave: After my first pass (WTG), the Shield side was closer, but it also had some blood from a few little weepers. The Sabre was more comfortable. After my second pass (ATG), the Sabre side had caught up a bit in closeness. The Sabre side had no feedback from my alum block, and the Shield side definitely had some stinging. Right after the shave, the Shield side felt noticeably closer. A couple hours after the shave, the difference is not as noticeable.
Face shave: On the first pass (WTG), the Sabre was again more comfortable, and the Shield shaved a bit closer. Again, the Sabre caught up a bit after the subsequent passes (XTG & ATG). I ended up with a few weepers around my mouth on both sides (more on the Shield side), so it wasn't an amazing shave with either razor (I think my lather was a bit dry). On the Sabre side, I got a bit of alum feedback around my mouth and in an area on my neck, but none on my cheek. The Shield side had alum feedback almost everywhere. As was the case with the head shave, the Shield side was smoother right after the shave, but there isn't as much of a difference now that a couple hours have passed.
Conclusion: I don't use GEM razors all that often, so my technique with them isn't the best. With more experience, I could probably maintain the angle better with the Shield and get more comfortable shaves. But today, the Sabre was definitely more comfortable. The Shield shaved a bit closer, but personally I didn't feel like the added closeness was worth the sacrifice in comfort. Again, a more experienced GEM shaver would almost certainly have better results.
Shield's Ali Express store has the GEM razor on sale for $55.16 and the GEM head for $41.37. It says "only a couple of gem head left, won't make it anymore." So it seems like now might be the time to grab one if you're interested.