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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 8, 2015 10:48:33 GMT -6
Mike, thanks for the heads-up - duly noted. Fortunately, I have the perfect solution: A Damaskeene stropper for the Damaskeene blade for the Damaskeene razor. On a related note, while waiting for the Damaskeene blade to make its trip across the pond I decided to try a NOS blade in my Valet Auto-Strop VB1. The blade, marked "rustless finish," looked fine under the microscope, almost identical to a new Feather. So, I decided to try it right out of the package, with no initial stropping. Big mistake. It was a very tuggy shave, and I may have subconsciously tried to compensate with more pressure. I ended up with what was actually a pretty close shave, but with more irritation and razor burn than I have experienced in a very long time. Lesson learned. So, the Damaskeene blade will receive a thorough stropping prior to its first use. --Bob Wow, That is good. Lucky i got away with it. Look forward to your views, when you have chance to try the Blade. Will take on board those tips outlined by Marcus. Mike B
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Post by mjclark on Sept 10, 2015 1:25:21 GMT -6
Even with lots of palm stropping, the Damaskeene blade was very tuggy for the first two passes, but it started settling in at the end. I think it's second shave will be very nice and I'll flip the blade for an extra face stropping effect. And man this blade is sharp! A 100 year old blade in a 100 year old razor has just given me an excellent 21st Century shave But you've got to push through the initial tug with these old carbon steel blades - a bit of pain never hurt anybody...
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Post by birdlives on Sept 10, 2015 1:32:37 GMT -6
Even with lots of palm stropping, Yo MJ....RazorX Marc, warned me a while back about the dangers of palm stropping.....It appears too much of it can have a negative effect on one's eyesight.... (I miss Marc.....anyone see him around?) For a guy that professionally holds his horn in his hand all the time, I'm surprised you can see to type!
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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 10, 2015 1:50:11 GMT -6
Even with lots of palm stropping, the Damaskeene blade was very tuggy for the first two passes, but it started settling in at the end. I think it's second shave will be very nice and I'll flip the blade for an extra face stropping effect. And man this blade is sharp! A 100 year old blade in a 100 year old razor has just given me an excellent 21st Century shave But you've got to push through the initial tug with these old carbon steel blades - a bit of pain never hurt anybody... Well done Marcus, I agree very tuggy, Am due to have my second Shave with the Blade you sent me.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Sept 10, 2015 18:26:33 GMT -6
This is a great thread guyz. Curious if the GEM stropper will help out.
"Face stropping" Yeah baby!
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Post by mjclark on Sept 11, 2015 0:30:13 GMT -6
Flipped the blade for the second shave and YES! it's settled in - this blade is now SMOOTH SMOOTH SMOOTH and still very sharp: This old carbon steel without any coatings is very kind to my face, and this really was a lovely (and mainly BBS) shave. I often read about people tossing NOS carbon blades after the first shave because they're so rough and tuggy and people think they've corroded. Occasionally that's true, but most times you've just got to push through to get to the carbon steel magic I've encountered this morning.
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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 11, 2015 11:44:43 GMT -6
Flipped the blade for the second shave and YES! it's settled in - this blade is now SMOOTH SMOOTH SMOOTH and still very sharp: This old carbon steel without any coatings is very kind to my face, and this really was a lovely (and mainly BBS) shave. I often read about people tossing NOS carbon blades after the first shave because they're so rough and tuggy and people think they've corroded. Occasionally that's true, but most times you've just got to push through to get to the carbon steel magic I've encountered this morning. Hi Marcus, Glad it was OK for you, maybe the blade I have should have been stropped [ Live &Learn]. Though a better Shave, not very easy. Mike
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Post by PJGH on Sept 11, 2015 13:13:48 GMT -6
Finest shave ever ... ... see SOTD. I want to try this blade out in a 1912, a 1914 and a 1924. I also want to run it through a Gem Junior Bar and perhaps one of the older lather catchers. I hope there's enough shaves in it, but how keen it became after shaving two days growth off and giving it a damn good stropping, I think it'll go on ... and on ... Thank you, Marcus. Not only has this been a lot of fun, it's been an education. Wow! Those chaps back in the 1910s got great shaves. Sadly, so many of them did not see beyond The Great War.
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Post by Petrvs on Sept 11, 2015 14:03:18 GMT -6
Fascinating, absolutely fascinating! Using the complete Damaskeene set, original blades included, must have been like unlocking a time capsule. I often read about people tossing NOS carbon blades after the first shave because they're so rough and tuggy and people think they've corroded. Occasionally that's true, but most times you've just got to push through to get to the carbon steel magic I've encountered this morning. I must admit I was one of those people...I tried once to shave with a NOS carbon blade and it didn't go well...tuggy, a lot. But now I definitely need to try again, stropping the blade first.
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Post by mjclark on Sept 11, 2015 14:21:31 GMT -6
Wow Paul! I am SO pleased that this blade has worked for you so well Somehow GEM Cutlery Co has crossed the centuries to favour us with these blades, and it seems fitting that they should bless you with the best shave ever using a blade which, although it was made before any of us were born, was clearly always intended for you...
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Post by PJGH on Sept 11, 2015 14:46:33 GMT -6
It was, indeed. Full report in the SOTD.
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Post by mjclark on Sept 11, 2015 14:47:14 GMT -6
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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 12, 2015 0:08:08 GMT -6
Well done Paul ! I made a mistake by not Stropping, at least it proved it needs to be done by anyone trying old carbon blades. Mike
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Post by mjclark on Sept 12, 2015 1:57:57 GMT -6
Third shave with the Damaskeene blade this morning: Lots of palm stropping and the blade is still incredibly sharp but does seem to be deteriorating and felt quite harsh in contrast to yesterday's beautiful smoothness. Perhaps it's the age of the steel.
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Post by PJGH on Sept 13, 2015 7:54:48 GMT -6
A second staggeringly good shave from this vintage Gem Damaskeene blade. Usual report in SOTD. Worthy of note today was that the first pass felt tougher; not rougher, not tuggy, not fierce, but tougher, something I can only attribute to my stubble being somehow hardier as a result of my first shave with this blade a couple of days ago. Regrowth was more ... well, 1910s? The second pass, which I do with a diagonal slide to pick up any stragglers was just so smooth. Lovely! Planned next is a 1914, then my lovely brass 1924 and if it's still going, well, I'd like to see if my ASR Reverse Lather Catcher is a better experience with a period blade. I think it might well be, as there is just a touch more presentation than with a modern GEM blade as you can see in this picture, evident by the comb being more obscured by the vintage blade:
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