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Post by damhans on Nov 20, 2013 23:36:34 GMT -6
As some of you kind folks may remember, I promised to give a report after my first shave with my recently aquired Gem Junior Bar. The razor didn't come with a handle, so I picked up a Damaskeene so the two razors could share a handle. Well, the Damaskeene arrived today, and as luck would have it, I won't have time to shave tomorrow morning so I shaved tonight.
The shave consisted of: Gem Junior Bar New Gem Coated blade Semogue 610 Cella Afta
Hot dang, what a great shave! Every bit as good a shave as my 2013 Muhle R41, but without feeling the blade with every stroke. I'm very impressed with this 100+ year old razor. The real test for me and a new razor isn't shaving off a few days growth, it's shaving when it's been less than 24 hours since my last shave and still having it be comfortable. The Junior Bar passed the test handily.
Thanks again for the warm reception here on TOST, as well as you help finding a handle for this amazing razor. -Hans
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Nov 21, 2013 4:43:02 GMT -6
Glad it worked well for you!
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Nov 21, 2013 7:47:25 GMT -6
Old precision never disappoints. These old razors still prove they had a great and lasting design for comfort and grace. Many more great shaves are in store for you, my friend.
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Post by birdlives on Nov 21, 2013 17:58:40 GMT -6
Glad to see it all come together for you and that beautiful razor....That Junior Bar and the Damaskeene are both designed by one of my idols, August Scheuber. His razor designs are some of the most beautiful examples of 'Functional Art' that I know of...I hope you get many great shaves.....I'm also curious how you like the Damaskeene aswell....
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Post by drumzalot on Nov 21, 2013 18:40:28 GMT -6
damhans, the Gem Junior Bar will spoil you it is a fantastic performer. The Gem Junior Bar will give your other SE razors real tough competition. Good going!
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Post by sleddog on Nov 21, 2013 23:45:57 GMT -6
Nice, glad it went well!! Hopefully you like the Damaskeene too
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Post by wchnu on Nov 22, 2013 0:26:20 GMT -6
Glad that you liked the shave. Those ole things out shave anything you can find with a two sided blade.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Nov 22, 2013 21:05:50 GMT -6
All right! Lets hear it for LAther Catchers!
I really like the Jr Bar. One of my faves. I am glad to find another kindred soul who appreciates these great shavers.
Keep your eyes peeled for a two piece tubular handle. They add a nice element of control as they are slender and long.
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Post by damhans on Nov 24, 2013 9:28:52 GMT -6
Three great shave with the Jr.Bar, it's officially a great shaver. Once could be a fluke, twice could be coincidence, but three times makes it official.
I have half of that handle, RocketMan. Just not the half that threads into the head.
I'm going to try the Damaskeene tonight.
How many shaves should one expect out of a Gem SS blade? I almost never go past 3 shaves with a DE blade.
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Post by birdlives on Nov 24, 2013 12:37:56 GMT -6
For me 6 or 7....one time I went to 15 but that was a fluke and when I did change it I realized...that although the old blade was still removing whiskers better than most DE shaves, but the shave I got with the new blade was like from another dimension....lol...I'm curious what others have to say on this, I believe it changes with the razor....I mean some razors want a new blade, and some seem to like blades not brand new...did I phrase that right? My ER 1912 is bullet-proof and loves every blade even older ones. But my OCMM definitely prefers a new blade and after 5 shaves starts to feel a little rough...
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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 Nov 24, 2013 23:01:34 GMT -6
I tell folks that I get on average 14 shaves from one. The average is probably higher though.
One of the thin blades you mentioned I automatically toss when I hit a certain number of shaves, but a SE blade doesn't get pissy and act out as those other blades do. A SE blade just gets less efficient. When the shave is less that I expect it's time to toss it. I have gotten as many as 20 shaves from a blade now and then.
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Post by damhans on Nov 27, 2013 19:30:52 GMT -6
Thanks all for your responses on blade longevity.
I now have 3 shaves with the Damaskeene, and I'm ready to report my findings.
Drumzalot mentioned that the Gem Junior Bar would be stiff competition for my other razors, and he was indeed correct. The Damaskeene gave a good shave; very smooth and comfortable. It just wasn't as effective as the Junior Bar. The shave wasn't as close after 3 passes. I don't mean to say it was a bad shave, just not as close. MY Damaskeene seems to have a very narrow window of usability in terms blade angle. Too steep or too shallow and the blade doesn't cut at all. That also means it's pretty darn hard to get the wrong angle, thus resulting in razor burn. I reckon the Damaskeene will make a great 'yesterday's-shave-was-a-bit-too-rough' razor. For that reason alone it's worth hanging on to.
The Junior Bar, however, is the trifecta of shaving: it's smooth, comfortable, and shave close. Plus, it looks really cool. Pretty tough to beat, in my opinion.
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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 Nov 27, 2013 23:06:37 GMT -6
OK, since you officially like it I can chime in since I don't intend my comments to piss on your parade. That's why I held off.
I love most lather catchers. I absolutely love the looks of a Jr Bar, but I've tried 2 different Jr Bars and both were so incredibly mild for me that I just passed them on. Their new owners love them. There's something about the razor that just makes it unusable for me. I'd love to know why it doesn't work for me.
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Post by damhans on Nov 28, 2013 10:07:18 GMT -6
You're not raining anything on my parade, ShadowsDad. Thanks for weighing in.
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