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Post by michaeld on Oct 28, 2013 12:00:00 GMT -6
This week went pretty well. The G-Bar/HFT is a joy to hold and look at. Doesn't quite live up to my expectations though. And I really really really wanted this one to work out. But, alas, it was not meant to be it appears. This is a very mild razor as were the others that were so graciously loaned to me. Just couldn't get a close shave with this razor and I'm sad about that. Like I said, wanted this one to work.
So far, I've not done well with single edge razors. Going to try my 1912 models again and see what happens.
Anybody got suggestions about which direction I should go now?
Thanks guys and enjoy those shaves.
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Oct 28, 2013 12:32:29 GMT -6
The HFT, although a very nicely constructed razor, never gave me good shaves. My favorites to date are the Gem Damaskeene, Schick Golden 500 and E2, the 1914 Ever Ready (Little Lather Catcher) and 1924 Ever Ready (shovelhead). My sugesstion is to try 1924 Ever Ready. It is easily found for little money. It provides a wonderful shave. I would also suggest an E series injector also.
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Post by coolbus18 on Oct 28, 2013 13:36:04 GMT -6
Hi!--Well I only have a 1912 and a Damaskeene and a few Schicks. I find the Gems to be mild and easy to use but too mild for me as an everyday razor. The Schick "E" series on the other hand is my cup of java Juice. I also like the HydroMagic series. They're a smooth , mild but effective razor form. The higher the letter the milder the razor.They can be found at non insane pricing too. . The injectors have been the greatest return on least money initially out of pocket for me.
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Post by drumzalot on Oct 28, 2013 16:49:25 GMT -6
Rich and coolbus have given you good suggestions. The ER 1924 is a smooth performer just watch your angle it seems to be finicky about the right angle. IMO the 1914 is a tad more aggressive then the 1912 models so it might be what you are looking for. I don't have a Schick though from the great reviews they are worth a try (I'm tempted every day).
I want to go a bit extreme here and suggest a Micromatic open comb I personally didn't find it to be too aggressive. The OCMM shaves close it is not mild though but it's sure to clear away stubble.
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Post by Alan on Oct 30, 2013 5:57:24 GMT -6
Michael, What were your first impressions of the 1012s and Micromatics? If they were too aggressive you may want to try a 1912 Star, Gem Junior Parade, or a Gem Goldilocks. Let me know and I'll send you some to try.
I agree with Rich and Joe; the 24 ER is also a good choice; more aggressive than what I mentioned above.
CB also mentions Injectors. The beauty of these are you can really experience the total aggression spectrum with these depending on the model you choose.
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Post by michaeld on Oct 30, 2013 8:56:44 GMT -6
Oh wow! So many choices left!
I have tried the 1912 and Micromatic Clog Pruf. Found both to be a bit more aggresive than I like. Yet I think I will try them out again. Maybe with some patience and different technique they will work better.
As for injectors, have some and tried them to no avail. Got the worst shaves of my life with them. Again, they might be worth another look as well. I tried them early in my conversion from multiblades abominations to classic wet shaving.
Sorry to say I don't know all the acronyms yet. Gem Junior Parade? Gem Goldilocks?
Thanks for the tips guys.
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Post by Alan on Oct 30, 2013 20:20:25 GMT -6
The Gem Jr Parade is (correct me if I'm wrong folks) a later model Gem Jr. It is not the Gem Junior Bar Lather Catcher. It came in a box marked Gem Junior, and down below it said "The Parade". It had a metal fluted handle about 2 5/8" long. Most of my standard 1912s have had a handle 2 3/8" long. At first glance the head looks like any other 1912, but if you look close you can see it does not have the "Ears" at the end of the comb. The comb ends at the blade stops. Also, every one I've owned has the vertical backbone bent back at an angle, not straight up like I see on the Damaskeenes and Star. I'm thinking it may be the same head that is used on the Bakelite (or is it plastic) baton handled Juniors. Most of them I have seen have been brass or gold tone, but I think you can also find them in silver/chrome. The cover plate is beveled, not contoured. The thumb tab is usually plain, not indented. I find them to be a medium aggressive razor. They will give you a smooth shave, but it will be a 2 or 3 pas shave. They are easy to maneuver and very forgiving.
The "Goldilocks" is a version of the Gem 1912 that was offered during the mid twenties. It is recognizable by the finely fluted handle. It does not have ears and the backbone has the backward angle. It is less aggressive than the standard 1912,open comb Micromatic, and 1924 EverReady Shovelhead but much more aggressive than the Damaskeene or any of the razors I have mentioned above. I've seen them with both beveled and contoured heads. It is easy to maneuver and very forgiving, yet gives a very close shave. A pleasure to use. The name comes from the fact that it is a good compromise between razors that are too mild and razors that are too aggressive; it is "Just Right". On weekends I use aggressive razors such as the 1914, OCMM, and 1912s. During the week I tend to use the Goldilocks. On weekends when I can really take my time I like the aggressive bad boys. I'm not sure how old you are, but there was a popular nursery story that folks my age were told as children entitled "Goldilocks and the Three Bears". Younger folks may not be familiar with it as I'm sure in today's society someone could construe it as not being politically correct (demeaning to blondes, unfair to bears, who knows). Anyway I won't spoil the story if you haven't heard it. But that's where "Just Right" comes from. Brian (Shadow's Dad) turned me on to this razor. As far as I know it was he who coined the name "Goldilocks Razor".
You may want to give injectors another try. The technique is very different from other razors. Until you get it down, they just won't work. I've shaved with DEs and injectors pretty much all my life until Fuzzy turned me on to SEs years ago. With the exception of the OCMM I did not really have any luck with SEs my first try. It's when my basic SE technique developed and I came back to them that I came to love razors that I originally did not like. What most people don't know is that injectors were pretty much becoming the razor of choice for a generation back in the sixties. They were fast, forgiving, and the price of injector blades had come down allowing the average Joe to buy them. Then along came the you-know-whats and injectors went by the wayside.
A word about the blade (my opinion only). Many of the blades available today are very good, but many are not. Be sure you are using blades that work for you. I find this especially true with injectors. A bad blade can spoil the shave and turn you off to the razor.
Brian sent me a PM showing pics of many of the aforementioned razors. I will see if I still have it. You may want to check our Gem forum for pics and threads, I believe there are many that would help.
Once again this is based on my limited knowledge and opinions. I hope it helped.
Alan
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Oct 30, 2013 23:39:54 GMT -6
Alan, if you can't find the pic let me know and I'll leaf through my photobucket pix to see if I can find it... or even recognize it.
Goldilocks Razor? Yes, to my knowledge I'm (and you) are the only 2 people using that reference for the GEM Jr.. It's simply the way I view the razor and my pet reference for it since it describes it perfectly from my perspective. As you wrote, anyone knowing the story understands what it means.
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