My G1 arrived yesterday afternoon and I was able to use it this morning with a 3 day growth. I did my usual prep with a shower. I loaded a PTFE blade that had been used 3 times in a MMOC, then whipped up my usual bowl of Arko and did the deed.
The shave was incredibly smooth. The very smoothest shave with a GEM blade I have ever experienced. I found it very easy to find the angle, and more importantly for me, to adjust the angle as needed. I think this may be because of the curved top rather than the flat surface of the GEM vintage razors, but for whatever reason, it was very easy and intuitive for me to feel the blade and make slight adjustments as I went along. A little steeper here, a little shallower there, etc. Buffing has never been easier for me with a GEM razor.
So the shave result? Not the closest shave I have ever experienced, but a very even, consistent shave. No irritation, no weepers, no raw skin feeling of any kind. Barely registered tingle of any kind when the witch hazel was splashed on. This is without a doubt the best comfort to closeness ratio I have experienced. Well, that's not true. I would have to say my ATT SE2 will give me the same ratio, BUT only with a 4 or 5 day growth and a blade with less than 4 shaves on it. The SE2 shave will be closer, the comfort will be the same if I am very, very careful. However, I have never been able to get a comfortable shave with the SE2 or SE1 with less than a 4 day growth.
I ordered the G1 because I wanted a modern GEM razor, the head was $99, and I have been looking for a mild razor I can use more often than every 4 days without discomfort. So far I am thrilled with this purchase. The next big test for the razor will be in two days. I have never been able to achieve a DFS without discomfort with a 2 day growth. I am hopeful.
The "fiddly" aspect of the razor comes up often in discussions regarding the G1. That little threaded hook part does not bother me at all. Yes, it's not as user friendly as a traditional 3 piece razor, but the GEM blade itself demands some sort of change from that DE razor design. I think Blackland and ATT have come up with the best solutions. Shane from Blackland himself has stated his admiration for the ATT G1 design. In both cases, the blade is held securely, clamped right in the middle of the blade where it needs to be. IMO this is more rock solid than any of the vintage GEM razors. I look forward to purchasing a Sabre in the future. As far as that little piece falling down the sink, I would point out that it is very easy to loosen the razor enough to remove the top cap and blade while having the baseplate, threaded hook piece, and handle all still attached to each other. I do this to rinse off the pieces, then take everything to a table to fully disassemble, clean a dry. With as OCD/fanatic as I am about cleaning my razors, this does not bother me in the slightest. However, if you like to just rinse and shave off, it won't work very well. After a shave the inside of the razor and blade will just not get all the soap out with a rinse. If you loosen the razor it probably will, but if you loosen it enough to remove the blade a cap for a good rinse, you will not (or should not) be able to shake off the handle, baseplate and threaded hook without some damage unless you snug them up to each other. So yes, a bit more care is needed, a little bit more "fiddly", but IMO not nearly as much as some people think without having used the razor. But I would have to say if you want classic, super simple 3 piece where you do a quick rinse and put it away, this razor is probably not for you.
I think this is an elegant , ingenious design and a wonderful shaver. I strongly suspect that ATT is selling old stock from Stan's time there and once they are gone they will be no more. This is only a guess on my part. I do not pretend to know anything, but I really think this is so and I'm glad I have one of my own.
This is the most I've ever written about any razor. I will follow up with my two day shave on Saturday.
The shave was incredibly smooth. The very smoothest shave with a GEM blade I have ever experienced. I found it very easy to find the angle, and more importantly for me, to adjust the angle as needed. I think this may be because of the curved top rather than the flat surface of the GEM vintage razors, but for whatever reason, it was very easy and intuitive for me to feel the blade and make slight adjustments as I went along. A little steeper here, a little shallower there, etc. Buffing has never been easier for me with a GEM razor.
So the shave result? Not the closest shave I have ever experienced, but a very even, consistent shave. No irritation, no weepers, no raw skin feeling of any kind. Barely registered tingle of any kind when the witch hazel was splashed on. This is without a doubt the best comfort to closeness ratio I have experienced. Well, that's not true. I would have to say my ATT SE2 will give me the same ratio, BUT only with a 4 or 5 day growth and a blade with less than 4 shaves on it. The SE2 shave will be closer, the comfort will be the same if I am very, very careful. However, I have never been able to get a comfortable shave with the SE2 or SE1 with less than a 4 day growth.
I ordered the G1 because I wanted a modern GEM razor, the head was $99, and I have been looking for a mild razor I can use more often than every 4 days without discomfort. So far I am thrilled with this purchase. The next big test for the razor will be in two days. I have never been able to achieve a DFS without discomfort with a 2 day growth. I am hopeful.
The "fiddly" aspect of the razor comes up often in discussions regarding the G1. That little threaded hook part does not bother me at all. Yes, it's not as user friendly as a traditional 3 piece razor, but the GEM blade itself demands some sort of change from that DE razor design. I think Blackland and ATT have come up with the best solutions. Shane from Blackland himself has stated his admiration for the ATT G1 design. In both cases, the blade is held securely, clamped right in the middle of the blade where it needs to be. IMO this is more rock solid than any of the vintage GEM razors. I look forward to purchasing a Sabre in the future. As far as that little piece falling down the sink, I would point out that it is very easy to loosen the razor enough to remove the top cap and blade while having the baseplate, threaded hook piece, and handle all still attached to each other. I do this to rinse off the pieces, then take everything to a table to fully disassemble, clean a dry. With as OCD/fanatic as I am about cleaning my razors, this does not bother me in the slightest. However, if you like to just rinse and shave off, it won't work very well. After a shave the inside of the razor and blade will just not get all the soap out with a rinse. If you loosen the razor it probably will, but if you loosen it enough to remove the blade a cap for a good rinse, you will not (or should not) be able to shake off the handle, baseplate and threaded hook without some damage unless you snug them up to each other. So yes, a bit more care is needed, a little bit more "fiddly", but IMO not nearly as much as some people think without having used the razor. But I would have to say if you want classic, super simple 3 piece where you do a quick rinse and put it away, this razor is probably not for you.
I think this is an elegant , ingenious design and a wonderful shaver. I strongly suspect that ATT is selling old stock from Stan's time there and once they are gone they will be no more. This is only a guess on my part. I do not pretend to know anything, but I really think this is so and I'm glad I have one of my own.
This is the most I've ever written about any razor. I will follow up with my two day shave on Saturday.