I got a Gem 1912 from the BST, received it yesterday, and shaved with it this morning.
At first I didn't like the way it felt . My only shaving experience has been with carts, and, for the last few months, DE's. There's an odd "aggression" to the way that thick SE blade bears down on the hair. So maybe it felt aggressive as it shaved, and it certainly sounded aggressive (other reviewers weren't kidding about the audio-feedback given by the Gems), but by the time I had witch-hazled, Skin-Fooded, and after-shaved, I stopped thinking the term "aggressive" applied. My skin felt great. As little-damaged as it feels when I go with my "mild-combo" of EJ 89 and Israeli Red, but the Gem provided an even closer shave. BBS in most places, passably DFS for the rest.
Without a doubt the best "first-time-with-a-new-razor" shave I've had.
I am really quite impressed with its simplicity and effectiveness.
At first I didn't like the way it felt . My only shaving experience has been with carts, and, for the last few months, DE's. There's an odd "aggression" to the way that thick SE blade bears down on the hair. So maybe it felt aggressive as it shaved, and it certainly sounded aggressive (other reviewers weren't kidding about the audio-feedback given by the Gems), but by the time I had witch-hazled, Skin-Fooded, and after-shaved, I stopped thinking the term "aggressive" applied. My skin felt great. As little-damaged as it feels when I go with my "mild-combo" of EJ 89 and Israeli Red, but the Gem provided an even closer shave. BBS in most places, passably DFS for the rest.
Without a doubt the best "first-time-with-a-new-razor" shave I've had.
I am really quite impressed with its simplicity and effectiveness.